Is Coverdale the next verbal?
Michael Chung and Dave Thurman (9:43 am)
With eleven commitments for the 2013 class, there are likely no more than seven spots remaining in Meyer's first full Ohio State class. Urban and company already have offered 43 players for 2014 so the staff must feel like they are in good shape for this year, unlike some OSU fans that seem to be in panic mode, especially with TSUN having a big haul in this class.
There was little drama and a whole lot of success at the beginning of the 2013 recruiting season. Starting off strong with Cameron Burrows, Jalin Marshall and Billy Price, and then flipping Jayme Thompson, OSU fans felt that 2013 began where the top 5 class of 2012 left off.
But drama quickly ensued. Lewis Neal and Alex Anzalone both committed, then quickly de-committed. Fire and wrath from OSU fans descended upon these two young men. Players once thought to be Ohio State leans, like Ethan Pocic and Jaylon Smith, chose other schools. Players that had offers like TE Josh McNeil and Maurice Hurst Jr., complained that OSU lost interest in them. Mike McCray, an OSU legacy, committed to Michigan, then received an OSU offer late. Logan-Tully Tillman burned an OSU envelope and then posted it on social media. Indeed, comparing the last ten years to these last few months, recruiting has changed from Masterpiece Theater to The Avengers.
With eleven commitments for the 2013 class, there are likely no more than seven spots remaining in Meyer's first full Ohio State class. Urban and company already have offered 43 players for 2014 so the staff must feel like they are in good shape for this year, unlike some OSU fans that seem to be in panic mode, especially with TSUN having a big haul in this class.
There was little drama and a whole lot of success at the beginning of the 2013 recruiting season. Starting off strong with Cameron Burrows, Jalin Marshall and Billy Price, and then flipping Jayme Thompson, OSU fans felt that 2013 began where the top 5 class of 2012 left off.
But drama quickly ensued. Lewis Neal and Alex Anzalone both committed, then quickly de-committed. Fire and wrath from OSU fans descended upon these two young men. Players once thought to be Ohio State leans, like Ethan Pocic and Jaylon Smith, chose other schools. Players that had offers like TE Josh McNeil and Maurice Hurst Jr., complained that OSU lost interest in them. Mike McCray, an OSU legacy, committed to Michigan, then received an OSU offer late. Logan-Tully Tillman burned an OSU envelope and then posted it on social media. Indeed, comparing the last ten years to these last few months, recruiting has changed from Masterpiece Theater to The Avengers.
While still almost eight months away from National Signing Day, here are the predictions for the last spots on Ohio State’s 2013 class, almost guaranteed to change a few months from now:
Kyle Meadows/Khaliel Rodgers OT: Although he has yet to receive an offer from the Buckeyes, Meadows seems determined to go to Ohio State and has publicly stated that his goal is to receive an OSU offer. With that mindset, how can OSU not take him? Besides, Meyer wants to make inroads in the Cincinnati area. However, Rodgers is more highly rated, and has been on the Buckeye radar for quite some time, although Auburn is his top choice at this point.
Sam Coverdale OL: Another name that has popped up of late, Coverdale does not have an offer but will be at camp. He lists Northwestern as #1 but would he change his mind if OSU offered? If big Sam was offered and committed, it could spell that Kyle Meadows would not be offered. The guess here is that the staff would take both Sam and Kyle if they impressed at camp and be done with O-line recruiting until 2014.
Donovan Munger DT: Some (including Michael) are guessing that the Bucks are recruiting him to play offensive line. Iowa has been able to take D-linemen and convert them into NFL caliber O-linemen, so Munger could be the first for OSU. But he is a fierce defensive tackle. Either way he should wear scarlet and gray. And, if for some reason he does not pick OSU, or does come to play offensive tackle, Michael Hill of South Carolina is still a possibility at defensive tackle.
Shelton Gibson WR: Many consider him an OSU lock. However, he has been quiet in the recruiting process, and some think the Buckeyes have soured a little on him. We should know on June 20th when he announces.
Robert Foster/James Quick WR/another “playmaker”: Meyer wants playmakers and will want to add one of these two guys or someone else who can be the next “Percy Harvin.” Devon Allen out of Arizona may be the player who likes OSU the most, but isn't quite as flashy as the other two. Foster is the biggest name, and word is that Urban is putting on the full-court press.
Vonn Bell DB: He has stated publicly that OSU was one of his best visits. Camping this weekend, hopefully he will commit soon. Meyer has even mentioned some possible two-way duty for Bell if he were to become a Buckeye.
Chris Worley ATH: The Cleveland Glenville pipeline has produced so many stars like Ted Ginn Jr. and Troy Smith. It would be nice to keep it going and De’van Bogard needs a "little brother" from his high school. Worley, who projects as a defensive back, has nice size at 6'3". However he does not have an offer at this time.
Alex Anzalone LB: I think Urban really wants him and if the old saying is true that “time heals all wounds,” then hopefully it will heal this one. However, this may just be wishful thinking.
Of course there are many months left until NSD and I am sure there will be some new names added to the mix. One thing we can be very confident of is that OSU will once again have one of the top classes in the country when all is said and done.
Kyle Meadows/Khaliel Rodgers OT: Although he has yet to receive an offer from the Buckeyes, Meadows seems determined to go to Ohio State and has publicly stated that his goal is to receive an OSU offer. With that mindset, how can OSU not take him? Besides, Meyer wants to make inroads in the Cincinnati area. However, Rodgers is more highly rated, and has been on the Buckeye radar for quite some time, although Auburn is his top choice at this point.
Sam Coverdale OL: Another name that has popped up of late, Coverdale does not have an offer but will be at camp. He lists Northwestern as #1 but would he change his mind if OSU offered? If big Sam was offered and committed, it could spell that Kyle Meadows would not be offered. The guess here is that the staff would take both Sam and Kyle if they impressed at camp and be done with O-line recruiting until 2014.
Donovan Munger DT: Some (including Michael) are guessing that the Bucks are recruiting him to play offensive line. Iowa has been able to take D-linemen and convert them into NFL caliber O-linemen, so Munger could be the first for OSU. But he is a fierce defensive tackle. Either way he should wear scarlet and gray. And, if for some reason he does not pick OSU, or does come to play offensive tackle, Michael Hill of South Carolina is still a possibility at defensive tackle.
Shelton Gibson WR: Many consider him an OSU lock. However, he has been quiet in the recruiting process, and some think the Buckeyes have soured a little on him. We should know on June 20th when he announces.
Robert Foster/James Quick WR/another “playmaker”: Meyer wants playmakers and will want to add one of these two guys or someone else who can be the next “Percy Harvin.” Devon Allen out of Arizona may be the player who likes OSU the most, but isn't quite as flashy as the other two. Foster is the biggest name, and word is that Urban is putting on the full-court press.
Vonn Bell DB: He has stated publicly that OSU was one of his best visits. Camping this weekend, hopefully he will commit soon. Meyer has even mentioned some possible two-way duty for Bell if he were to become a Buckeye.
Chris Worley ATH: The Cleveland Glenville pipeline has produced so many stars like Ted Ginn Jr. and Troy Smith. It would be nice to keep it going and De’van Bogard needs a "little brother" from his high school. Worley, who projects as a defensive back, has nice size at 6'3". However he does not have an offer at this time.
Alex Anzalone LB: I think Urban really wants him and if the old saying is true that “time heals all wounds,” then hopefully it will heal this one. However, this may just be wishful thinking.
Of course there are many months left until NSD and I am sure there will be some new names added to the mix. One thing we can be very confident of is that OSU will once again have one of the top classes in the country when all is said and done.
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