11W Recruiting Update
Henderson would look REALLY good in Scarlet & GraySo the regular football season is over, Evan Turner’s injury has put a slight damper on basketball season, and we still have 22 days or so until we get to see the Bucks vs. the Ducks in Pasadena. The question you all may have, like myself, is what do we have to be excited about in the next month? Besides watching the basketball Buckeyes take on Butler this weekend and play three cupcake games without ET, as well as listening to ESPN tell us why Oregon’s offense will be unstoppable, the answer is the 2010 recruiting class.
Jim Tressel has secured 13 verbal commitments for the class of 2010 (14 if you include Carlos Hyde) and is looking to take 4-7 more players in the class depending on available scholarships. The class currently is ranked 11th in the nation by ESPN and Scout’s Inc. and if things play out favorably for The Vest, we could be looking at another top 10 and even a top 5 recruiting class nationally yet again.
Here’s a list, broken down by position, of players currently committed to the Bucks for 2010, players the staff is still on the hunt for, some surprises that could sneak in late, and of course, our predictions for who will make up the OSU Recruiting Class of 2010:
Quarterback
The Buckeyes already have secured a verbal commitment from Taylor Graham, the son of former Buckeye Kent Graham. Graham had an injury plagued junior season in which he only saw action in six contests, but after promising summer camps, was given a Buckeye offer and accepted shortly thereafter. He came into his senior season with high expectations and started off the year pretty well, but the injury bug hit again as Graham had a season ending injury. His rehab is reportedly going well, but the Buckeye coaching staff may seem to want insurance, as they have reportedly offered local product Verlon Reed. I believe Reed will accept the offer and come in as a QB/ATH. Reed could be a Troy Smith case as it seems quarterback would not be the starting position for him at OSU, but he may be just the player Tressel is looking for under center. If he is even half the player Smith became, it was well worth the offer.
Running Back
As mentioned above, Carlos Hyde will join this class and enroll at OSU in the winter, as he did not make the scores in time to be a part of the class of 2009. Hyde can bid for playing time right away and can be the power/short yardage back the team could have used this year. The other commitment in the class is Rod Smith, who has grade issues of his own. There is no doubt about Smith’s ability on the field as he brings a combination of size and speed, much like Beanie Wells did a few years back. There have been questions about his ability in the classroom as to whether he can qualify, but as of now it seems his status is safe. There are two in-state backs the Buckeyes have been looking at and they are Braylon Heard and Erick Howard. Heard is committed to West Virginia, but he made that commitment before receiving a Buckeye offer. After a solid performance in the state playoffs, it has not been reported that OSU has offered just yet, but they did ask Heard to make an official visit, something he says he will do. Howard won Mr. Ohio Football for the second straight year and is the only person other than former Buckeye Robert Smith to achieve that feat. Howard has also had grade issues and they may be so great that the Buckeyes have not offered yet-or he is just not a good enough college prospect to warrant the Bucks dishing out an additional offer. Either way it looks like there may only be room for Heard, if any of the two Ohio backs.
Wide Receiver
Corey Brown (versatility), James Louis (speed), and Tyrone Williams (size) have all committed to the Buckeyes and all bring a different dimension to the receiving game. With the possible departures of Taurian Washington and Flash Thomas, bringing in these three super athletes is essential, and even if those players don’t depart the program, the trio is certainly a good catch (no pun intended). There is a chance Reed could move to wide out at Ohio State if he commits, but other than that there are no other receiving prospects as the unit is pretty stacked for next year with Posey, Sanzenbacher, Carter, Jackson, and Fields all returning even if Flash and Washington transfer.
Offensive Line
Offensive line is one position I always feel the Bucks can do better on, and the last few years have proven that it’s something they need to do better on. This year’s group developed pretty nicely and returning next season are four starters in Brewster, Boren, Browning, and Shugarts, along with probably starter Mike Adams, Andy Miller, Marcus Hall, Jack Mewhort, and Corey Linsley. The Bucks seem to be in good shape for the future up front, but you can always use more lineman and the staff would like to add at least two in 2010. Andrew Norwell, despite a season-ending injury, is one of the nation’s best, and is a Buckeye already, but there are three pospects the team is still hoping will join Norwell in Columbus.
The best and biggest out of the group is Seantrel Henderson, who stands at 6-8/300. Henderson is looking at OSU, Florida, USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Miami, Minnesota, and Iowa, but many think it’s down to a three of OSU, USC, and UF. From what I’ve heard and seen from Seantrel, I like the Buckeyes’ chances, especially now that Charlie Weis is out at Notre Dame. Staying close to home should never be overestimated in recruiting and I think that could play a big factor in Henderson’s recruitment. Another tackle the Buckeyes are looking at is Matt James of Cincinnati St. Xavier. James has things narrowed down to OSU, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and Florida. James is definitely tough to get a read on, but for some reason I have a feeling he won’t end up at OSU. Brian Kelly has been recruiting him at Cincinnati and if he goes to Notre Dame, I think that’s where James will end up.
Finally, a darkhorse is Brandon Linder out of St. Thomas Aquinas in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I got the opportunity to see Linder in person in the Horseshoe in August and he is the real deal. His finalists are Notre Dame, OSU, Florida, and Miami, and I think the ND coaching situation plays into OSU’s favor. Just from talking to him in August it seems he definitely was not opposed to going out of state and I think he liked what he saw in Columbus.
Defensive Line
With Thaddeus Gibson and Cameron Heyward possibly leaving early for the NFL, along with the graduations of Doug Worthington, Todd Denlinger, Rob Rose, and Lawrence Wilson, defensive line is a big need for this class. JT Moore (DT or DE) and Darryl Baldwin (DE) have already verbaled to JT in this class, while Jamel Turner and David Durham could play either end or linebacker in Columbus. With those four locked up, the staff would definitely like to add one or two more players and they come in the form of defensive tackles Shariff Floyd and Jonathan Hankins. Floyd, 6-3/310, is believed to be a Buckeye lean at this point, but it will be a fight to beat out Florida, USC, South Carolina, UNC, and others for his services. I have a good feeling about him and if the Bucks can land him, it will be the third straight year they get the #1 player from Pennsylvania (Pryor, Dorian Bell). Hankins is from the state up north and has narrowed things down to basically Florida, Michigan, and Ohio State. He claims Florida leads after visiting Gainesville and Ann Arbor, but he visits Columbus officially this weekend and I wouldn’t be surprised if he committed to Jim Tressel on the spot.
Linebacker
The aforementioned Turner and Durham could end up at linebacker, but the only true verbal commit at the position is St. Ignatius’s Scott McVey. The Buckeyes are pretty loaded at linebacker and don’t need any more players here, but will certainly take Lakota West’s Jordan Hicks. Hicks is a top five player nationally and is down to OSU, Florida, USC, Texas, and Alabama, with OSU, Florida, and USC leading the way. Location could play a factor with Hicks and some seem to think he’s a Buckeye lean, but will be visiting Florida this weekend and the dust could clear on this situation after the visit.
Defensive Back
Safety Chad Hagan is the onyl defensive back that has committed to OSU, but there are some high quality players on their radar. Glenville stars Christian Bryant and Latwan Anderson visit Columbus this weekend and both could be Buckeyes by next week. Bryant has been considered a lock for a while (although there are no locks in recruiting), while Anderson has had some grade issues. Both are fantastic players and are two that OSU would love to have. Once again, Reed could end up playing DB at Ohio State if he accepts the offer and if he doesn’t play quarterback, safety is the best bet for where he will end up.
UPDATE: We originally had Lamarcus Joyner in here as well, but word on the street is that he committed to FSU last night. Apparently he wanted to tell JT in person last night when they made their in-home visit. Best of luck to Lamarcus and now the offer to Reed and potential offer to Braylon Heard (who could play CB) make a little more sense.
Specialists
This group is the easiest of the bunch as the Bucks only tracked two players in Drew Basil and Will Hagerup. Basil, of course, chose the Buckeyes and will most likely kick at OSU, while Hagerup chose to waste four years of his life and go to Michigan. I guess Hagerup saw that Michigan’s punter was treated like the star quarterback of every other school and thought committing to Rich Rodriguez would get him some chicks.
Predictions
It could be a numbers game when things come down to the nitty gritty, but with 14 players (including Hyde) already committed it seems there will be space for 4-5 others, and possibly 6-7 others if there are transfers or early deaprtures to the NFL. I think Reed and Bryant are the strongest candidates to fill two of those spots and I think Henderson, Hicks, Floyd, and Anderson will join the 2010 class. I believe Heard has to listen to what OSU offers being an Ohio kid, but I think numbers play out of his favor. I believe Brian Kelly takes the ND gig and gets Matt James to follow him to South Bend and I feel that Hankins will either not make the cut grade-wise at OSU or will decide the warm weather suits him just fine at Florida. I know this outlook may seem a bit optimistic, but as long as Anderson makes the grades and nothing changes with Floyd, I like the location factor with Hicks and Henderson. If the Bucks can finish with these 6 players, their class of 20 (21 with Hyde) will be top 5 in the country and maybe even push #1 or #2.
Joyner reportedly picked FSU last night. Damn.
So Joyner is off the board.
Looks like we will have at least 21 spots and maybe as many as 23. I’m counting Anderson, Bryant & Reed as in. That makes 17 so far including Hyde and Turner. We have a good chance for Henderson & Floyd to get to 19. Take Heard & Hankins to get to 21. Longer shots are Linder, James & Hicks. A dark horse could be the punter Lloyd.
One of my favorite posts you guys do is on the recruits. I always like to do research and watch videos on these guys. I encourage everyone that have an interest Buckeye football to do the same as you won’t be surprised when they finally suit up (you could see in TP’s high school videos that he’s not a thrower). Today I watched Verlon Reed and Tyrone Williams. Reed has a good pocket presence, looks through progressions and if the throw isn’t there, he runs and mirrors Troy Smith. Like TP, he has a strange throwing motion. He’s fast and shifty so that is a plus. Now, Tyrone Williams, I was smiling during his video because the boy is 6-7, big and fast. We finally got us a Calvin Johnson! The God’s have answered my prayers. If you watch his video, you will see his QB sucks just like Calvin Johnson’s did at Georgia but Williams will go up and get the ball.
Carence, have you seen scUM’s big recruit , Devin Gardner? Im telling you, exact replica of Pryor, just not as big. Same throwing motion and everything.
I just watched his video and it was a little interesting. It showed him throwing incomplete passes and getting sacked. He is fast but I seen him getting tackled by guys half his size. He was a little rattled under pressure. He’s 6′4 201 and runs a 4.57.
CJ went to G Tech.
I have seen Hagan listed at LB on a few sites. It will be interested to see how he develops once he gets on campus
*interesting
Love this stuff to and my favorite posts. Literally reading this makes me more excited than Christmas. Unfortunately doesn’t sound like we have enough scholarships. Can’t wait to see how it all pans out.
Man i really liked our chances with Joyner.
That blows.
I think Luc had a lot to do with that.
Now two 5 star recruits going there.
Bryant, and Anderson now… Which are both very good.
Really though, Joyner is “LISTED” as 5′8. he barely comes up past Duron Carter’s belt buckle. I never warmed up to the thought of him covering the big targets in the red zone. I think he’s a kick returner only. No big loss.
Christian Bryant is one of the best “football players” I’ve seen in my 20 years watching high school football.
Yeah, Joyner hasn’t come out and said it, but I updated the DB portion and Predictions….Luc may have had an impact…I know Fisher is the coach in waiting, but all the signs pointed to Joyner not at FSU…..salavi….we move on and I think the Glenville duo will be Buckeyes after their visit
I love the idea of the Glenville guys being Buckeyes. After watching the Hurricanes and their “Miami Northwest seven” and the obvious chemistry Hall and Pryor share, I like the idea of recruiting teammates from successful programs.
Do you think the Bucks will go after Sturdivant from Glenville? I think he’s also a hell of a player, love his size.
yeah… Dissapointed because i thought he really liked tOSU.
Oh well… I have always wanted the duo anyways now more room.
I like the fact he waited to tell JT in person, but why not just save Tress the trouble of coming to Florida? Anyway….it’s in good shizzy and above, but here’s a free link: http://www.tomahawknation.com/2009/12/9/1033883/ft-lauderdale-fl-st-thomas-aquinas
I agree why not tell JT. Bush league move on his part.
Zoltan Mesko is banging cocktail waitresses two at a time. He is the best weapon on the scUM team.
Great article. Hope those predictions were based on info and not on bias. I think joyner stays in florida, Floyd to sc, and Bryant or anderson head to the sec.
I don’t worry too much about Joyner not coming. I think Floyd will end up a buckeye. When I guy where OSU gear to an interview with a national jounralist it’s a good sign.
Guys, FYI Tressel didn’t attend the Joyner visit yesterday.. and either did Fickell.. it was Haynes and someone else… and Hazell was with James Louis.. Tressel is focusing on Floyd.
Alex, you note “If the Bucks can finish with these 6 players, their class of 20 (21 with Hyde) will be top 5 in the country and maybe even push #1 or #2.” You cite ESPN and SCOUT’S INC. as your sources. I hope you’re right.
However, the point of view from RIVALS is comparably, bleak: http://rivals100.rivals.com/teamrank.asp
Is it your opinion that RIVALS is less reputable?
none of the services are perfect…
but the caliber of these remaining players changes the game when they commit as far as school rankings go.. its kinda like in Jeopardy, you can lose a bunch of 100 and 200 dollar questions early on.. but if you get most of the 1000 dollar questions you could easily be in the lead… so you can’t really look at where we are right now with any of these services.. you have to wait til the “votes” are all in so to speak… most of these kids we are after still are highly highly regarded..
regardless of what any of these sites say.. this year is another huge sucess in recruiting and once again we’ve got a lot of studs coming in…
I hope so. I really hope the Bucks can take the roses, too. That will make them a top 5 team, for sure. The 2010 schedule bodes well for a legit run at the MNC.
If they Buckeyes, land Anderson, Hicks, Floyd, and Henderson, their Rivals Ranking will jump into the top 5 easy as they are all 5 stars.
BFM,
The reason we’re looking “bleak” on the rivals list is because of the way that they do the rankings, i.e. more is better. Rather than focusing on the absolute rank at the moment, look instead at the average stars. Our average is 3.57, which is really very good. It’s higher than their current #2 Alabama, and tied for 5th overall among all teams. And that average will increase if the last few guys we sign are studs like Hicks, Henderson, and Floyd. When you take that into consideration, it’s not really “bleak” at all.
Exactly and everyone knew coming in that the total scholarships available this year were going to be low.
There is a big advantage to numbers, though. Just look at Michigan – their average stars have been as high as ours, but they ended up starting two walkons in their secondary. more numbers mean you can have more busts and still have talent at all positions.
I’m really curious to see whether the SEC can continue its dominance with the new over-signing regs.
Mike is right. Average stars are overrated just as the rankings are. What you should look at is number of 5 and 4-star players. The bottom third of SEC teams’ 30 player classes isn’t as impressive, but pads the flawed rating systems.
I was just saying that espn and scouts inc. Have us at 11 right now…yes rivals is a little more down on us but I don’t think they value a guy like david durham as he should be valued….scout usually gives us love too so well be good there
I was reading some news.
Supposedly we landed Bryant, and anderson.
Can anyone confirm?
I don’t think so yet.. where did you see this at?
rumors are Anderson and Bryant are silent commits, and could make it official this weekend during thier visit…let’s hope this is true
http://bucknuts.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9
supposedly someone leaked there premium membership info.
Just wondering if anyone had the same info.
Was hoping for a pick me up after the news L J gave.
I really don’t believe anything until I see it on BSB
Yeah…
Just didn’t know if anyone else heard anything.
Rose Bowl victory + Top 10 finish + Top 10 recruiting class + Pre-season ranking in the Top 5, makes the following a doable path to the MNC, dudes:
2010 Schedule
Sat. Sept. 4 MARSHALL Columbus TBA
Sat. Sept. 11 MIAMI (Fla.) Columbus TBA
Sat. Sept. 18 OHIO Columbus TBA
Sat. Sept. 25 EASTERN MICHIGAN Columbus TBA
Sat. Oct. 2 at Illinois Champaign, Ill. TBA
Sat. Oct. 9 INDIANA Columbus TBA
Sat. Oct. 16 at Wisconsin Madison, Wisc. TBA
Sat. Oct. 23 PURDUE Columbus TBA
Sat. Oct. 30 at Minnesota Minneapolis TBA
Sat. Nov. 13 PENN STATE Columbus TBA
Sat. Nov. 20 at Iowa at Iowa City, Iowa TBA
Sat. Nov. 27 MICHIGAN Columbus TBA
ONLY if our offense holds it together…
do we have to start the 2010 regular season pessimism so soon?
Miami’s going to be a good game..one of my favorite college QB’s, and he’s not wearing scarlet in this game.
Robert Marv is playing again?
Jacoby Harris
This year, at least, he crapped the bed in most big games not against the Seminoles defense.
Jacory* Harris
I think the Iowa game is going to be the toughest game on the schedule. They will be very good still, and Kinnick can be a tough place to play. Miami will be very good next year too, but I have a suspicion the Bucks pull this one out
Yeah Im not too concerned over the Miami game really.
Harris is good, but with pressure in his face he is doo-doo.
We are Buckeyes, hence the dysfunction.
Doesn’t mean we have to be Browns fans…..
Just watching a USC game from 2002…here is a thought…ever notice that other than LSU and Fla, teams seem to last a few years than flame out?
Think about it:
1998 Tennessee- mediocre
1999 Florida State- mediocre
2000 Oklahoma- can’t win a big game for sh#t
2001 Miami- below mediocre until this season
2002 Ohio State- can’t win a big game for sh#t
2003 LSU- won again with a new staff
2004 USC- slipped into mediocrity this year
2005 Texas- fell of after VY, back now
2006 Florida, 2007 LSU, 2008 Florida- still there
Seems like you don’t last long in the BCS era
How can you say Ohio State and Oklahoma haven’t lasted though? True they may lose some big games, but Ohio State has had success in the BCS since 2002. Oklahoma is in the BCS seemingly every year as is USC. One year of Mediocrity is one thing, but LSU has had 2 mediocre years back to back and haven’t been in the BCS. Since 2002, there isn’t a year where Ohio State has missed the BCS 2 years in a row.
or 2 years at all
*Sorry. I didn’t mean they didn’t last, just that they cannot get over the hump. Think about it…06 Bucks and 04 Sooners, would have been up there with the greatest teams of all times, but chocked big time.
And yes we have been to the BCS every year but 2004. But we need to get this f*cking monkey off our backs, NOW!
You’ve done a fine job compiling this list.
I’m hopeful January 1, 2010 means a great start to an even greater decade, than the last.
Your timeline, the projected roster for 2010 and the general opinion among our community that this recruiting class will be sterling, adds to my feeling Ohio State may very well win the 2010 MNC.
Anyone else hear that sound?
The sound of Ohio’s (SECOND RATE) BCS Teamn crashing down to Earth…
Talk Sh*t about us chocking any day. At least our job is not a stepping stone. F*ckers.
the sound that accompanies it is my evil laughter.
I think Florida is vastly overrated on defense. I think UC wins 38-35
HAHAHA – Cincinnati has to geta new coach. I still hope they play terrible. Any predicitions on if and when ND could make a run at a NC?
I say maybe 2014.
I don’t see how Brian Kelly is an upgrade from Charlie Weiss. They are both offensive whizzes who don’t coach defense. Last year, UC had a good defense but those were all Dantonio’s guys. I just don’t think he’s that high profile guy they were looking for.
Brian Kelly has won a championship at every level he’s been a coach. Unlike Weis, he was the architect of championship teams, rather than a guy who helped provide some of the schematics. Weis’ offenses never finished in the top half of the NFL; Kelly has taken pedestrian Cincy talent and churned out a 12-0 football team, admittedly playing a schedule that lacks a team the caliber of, say, USC (in a good year, of course).
I think he’s a great fit for Notre Dame; he’s not as soulcrushing of a hire as Urban Meyer, but don’t be surprised when he starts plucking away some Ohio kids to play in one of the nation’s most productive offenses. Defensively, his teams certainly need work, and the onus is on him in the first few years to prove he can make better hiring and firing decisions when it comes to his defensive staff than Weis. If he can’t, I still hesitate to say it’ll be Weis all over again because Weis’s offense had that one truly terrible year; I can’t see a Kelly offense ever failing on such a level. But if he can’t recruit defensive talent and he can’t find a good defensive staff, we’ll be watching this same drama play out in another five years; I’ll agree with you there.
meh, i think this is better for buckeye recruiting. BK was building a potential threat in cincy. that threat is no more. charlie already had an explosive offense in ND that could pick off ohio recruits. don’t think BK can really improve on the recruiting charlie was doing the last few years. for the osu program, i don’t think there could have been a better hire.
Brian Kelly will have some time in his first few years, though, to sell this angle:
Which offense would you rather play in; Ohio State’s after Pryor, or Notre Dame’s?
This is of course provided that he achieves a similar level of production at ND. But that’s an argument he’s going to win with Jim Tressel in the minds of recruits who want to make it to the next level. Unless, of course, we see some new, innovative blood on the offensive staff, which we – barring Bollman’s retirement – probably won’t.
Of course, looking at the last few years, playing in Jim Tressel’s system doesn’t seem to have hurt your chances of recognition too much, at least as skill players
Practically every wide receiver that starts here gets drafted, and four of them have gone in the first round. NFL teams care more about how well players run routes and whether they’re willing to block than how good their numbers were against bad defenses.
We’re more suspect at quarterback, but we still have a Heisman trophy winner – more than you can say for any of Notre Dame or Cinci’s recent quarterbacks.
Well, Jimmy Clausen is probably going to be a first round draft pick, and Brady Quinn was one as well. Tony Pike went from afterthought to probable first day guy under Kelly’s tutelage. I think Kelly and ND will be fine when it comes to QBs. Meanwhile, we have Troy Smith and Craig Krenzel as our bastions of NFL quarterbacking (though Quinn, admittedly has been worse than both in his stint in Cleveland).
Even at ND, they have the pedigree provided by guys like Tate, Floyd, and Samardzija. I don’t think the cupboard is as bare at the skill positions as it is along the offensive and defensive lines. When you consider that Kelly’s 2nd best receiver – a two star recruit coming out of HS – this year had better numbers than either Ginn and Gonzo did in 2006, it’s easy to see why Kelly might win his share of battles when it comes to the top receivers in the region.
Tressel will probably still lock up any and all Rivals100 RBs in the area with his brand of offense, but elite WRs will be taking a nice, long look at ND with Kelly in town.
I don’t think it’ll hurt recruiting. I guess the guys from Catholic Schools in Cincy may chose Notre Dame, but that’s always competition anyway. Guys like Posey will still come, and with the crop of O-Lineman Tress has been nailing down, this offense won’t be so boring. At what point has OSU every been known as a “great” QB school anyway. On D we’ll still get recrutis. We’ll always have great RB’s and Kelly won’t take that many great Wr’s. Also, there’s a guy even closer to Ohio State’s recruting grounds that has a more creative offense than Ohio State and he isn’t hurting the recruting situation.
The Joyner comment in Good Shizzy is exactly what I was thinking when I heard about his choice…no worries though…let’s get the Glenville duo
Brian –
Conversely, what happens if Kelly’s “Five-Minute Plan” does “wake up the echoes”, at ND? Some Ohio boys will go to South Bend. Moreover, what if Rodriguez fails and is replaced by a coaching-colossus in Ann Arbor. More than some Ohio boys will go to Michigan. Add to this the looming reality Penn State will replace Paterno soon (rumored: Bill Cowher) and Tressel’s flanked and attacked from the North.
I graduated from CCHS, here in Toledo. If ND were a real power a few years ago, I wonder if Dane would have been seduced by the Irish.
Even if he were, how many games would we have won or lossed based on Sanzenbacher? I’m not saying there won’t be some guys that don’t go, but the majority of Ohio Kids, whoh are 4 or 5 star guys will go to Ohio State. For all the bitching about Tressel and his style, there are a lot of guys on both sides of the ball from his teams in the NFL. Kids want a guy that will get them there, and he will. Also, when Tressel goes into a home and woo’s the parents they know their kid will be at a school with a coach who cares about them in football, school, and life. They know he isn’t going to march a kid out there 10 days after a bad concussion, and that he will discipline someone for F’ing up, unlike some coaches.
I agree with you about Tressel’s NFL effect.
And that type of cache will be an advantage, as Tressel’s in the middle of a developing “arms race” for Ohio talent.
Urban Meyer is not going to Michigan. He will never go to Michigan.
I thought that Penn State already got pretty good recruits anyway, and if it hurts OSU’s recruiting it’ll be more that Pennsylvania’s best well quite coming to Columbus. I do worry now that Kelly did go to Notre Dame that Michigan will end up with Urban Meyer. It’s one of his 3 big ones his wife can’t veto. Les Miles doesn’t scare me at all. He’s the benificiary of having a state with good players and being next to Texas.
Urban Meyer isn’t going to Michigan. NEVER will happen.
Cosign
The “Meyer to Michigan” scenario troubles me too, because that’s one of the school’s mentioned in Urban’s – inexpensive – $500K, buyout clause.
Additionally, Pat Forde noted on “College Football Live”, today, that Mack Brown’s pay raise to $5M, will “activate” the “I must be paid the most” – clause, in the contracts of a number of prominent football coaches’ contracts. What if Alabama can’t/won’t pay Saban, for instance? Does this create a blizzard of breached contracts and a musical chairs scenario among certain college football coaches?
It’s a big business.
I can very much see one of those guys come back and end up at Michigan. Dick Rod won’t be there in a few years. He still has no defense to speak of and will lose the 2 best players on that D. Nothing will change up there.
Harbaugh may work without a contract in 2010. I think there’s a fair chance RR will be out, at the end of next season.
Harbaugh is supposedly flying to Lawrence after the Heisman ceremony and will be announced as Kansas’ head coach shortly thereafter.
I think that would be a downgrade for him, Kansas has had more recent success but it’s not even close to a football school.
Am I the only one hoping scUM goes 7-5 next year (just good enough to keep RR, but with a loss at the Shoe…of course)?
yes you are
No. I’d like to see Tressel bag 10 straight W’s against the bUMs, at least. He’s almost undone the numerical damage Cooper wrought. Once there, we can – again – resume chipping away at their overall, numerical advantage in the win column.
I’m afraid you are. Maybe 5-7, with a loss at The Shoe, of course.
Tressell should just resign now and the school should just drop the football program. The sky is falling, the sky is falling.
Brian Kelly-The Greg Schiano flavor of the month is going to ND, I guess we’re just screwed now. Bill Cower is going to Penn State and Tressell will be flanked and attacked from the north. Harbaugh or Urban are going to Michigan.
Blah Blah Blah
Boo effing hoo!
How many National Championships did Bill Walsh win at Stanford after leaving The 49ers??????
Please would you look at these ridiculous comments?
I think Jim Tressel has been through this before.
I think the sun will rise tomorrow and “THE” Ohio State University will still be a premier football program.
Man up!
Allow me to be the first to say, I am “okay” with it if JT decides (on his own terms) to hang it up after 2012. One rule I developed for myself during the Purdue debacle is to never again (well as long as this staff is in place) get “pumped” over (especially offense) recruiting, because you never really know what, if anything, this staff will do with them. Granted… things have improved markedly since 10-17, but Purdue? Dominating OSU athletes?! Really!?
Most especially, I am not going to get excited about WR recruits. All I can say about Brown, Louis and Williams is, “I hope they can block.”
Am I a fire JT guy?! No way… I am just “okay” with it if he moves on after 2012. Maybe G. Smith will be ready to retire? Can you imagine a better AD than JT?! I think…yea…I did… I just made a prediction.
I agree with what you are saying. Im not totally in love with Tress, nor do I really think he should be fired. Seven years now since Tempe. And yes, those were largely Cooper recruits. So my question is always, ” what if we lost to Miami?”. Other than that, who have we beaten? A couple decent Michigan teams, thats it.
And to Tressel’s defense, we have beaten lesser talented teams. Pryor’s play at Purdue was some of the worst QB play I have EVER seen at the college or high school levei, for that matter. So, I can’t completely hang that loss on Tress. Purdue has NFL talent. If you repeatedly give them field position, they can beat anyone.
So aside from wins and losses, I guess the question is, “does Tressel really get the most out of his recruits?” For the most part I say yes. But with the most visible player on the team now, Pryor, then no. I can’t help but think what Pryor would look like in a Chip Kelly offense. Sure there would be mistakes, but his numbers would be undoubtedly better.
As much as this has been the best decade in Ohio State football since the 1950’s or 60’s or…maybe ever…no one is beyond reproach – including the mastermind – Jim Tressel. Though I do think the 2010 Buckeyes might be poised for a return to the national title game, I share the inclination of BuckeyeChris, in not getting too “pumped.” Whether obstinate or bumbling, since 41-14, the “Tressel Administration” has served Buckeye fans too many helpings of its special recipe of football frustration.
The college game is changing more and more rapidly. I wonder whether Tress is willing to keep up. Perhaps, a new AD in 2012 – sporting a sweater vest – would be a favorable scenario, BuckeyeChris.
So, it’s been 7 years since the championship, but I ask how many years was it between the last championship and 2002? I wasn’t alive for the Woody Hayes years, but I’d venture to say that Tressel’s buckeyes have dominated the Big 10 unlike any other Ohio State team has. I would be really sad to see him go after 2012. He has had great football teams and been a great ambassador of the university to the rest of the country really. I have this feeling that even if Tressel won the other 2 championships and wins a couple more, people would still be bitching about his coaching style because it isn’t sexy.
AND, the idea that Tressel won is his championship with Cooper’s recruits means nothing to me. How many BIG GAMES to Cooper flop in? He would’ve never won a championship with Ohio State.
I was born in 1965 and remember – quite well, from ‘72 on – the “Ten Year War.”
The intensity of the biggest Ohio State-Michigan game – since then – has at best matched – not surpassed – the fury of the Woody vs. Bo volume, of the rivalry.
I met Woody at Walden Books – in Toledo – in the summer of 1974. He autographed my copy of his book, “You Win With People.” I still have it. It’s in mint condition.
I think Woody was a genius – in that he raised the stakes of the Ohio State-Michigan football rivalry and – essentially – became the creator/ringmaster of “The Greatest Gridiron Show On Earth.”
I also believe Woody was our Dr. Frankenstein. He created this “monster”…we know – and everybody else hates – the “Buckeye fan.”
Now, Woody won 3 AP national championships.
Therefore, expectations were instilled in “the monster.”
In the Woody years, Ohio State should have won “everything” in: ‘69, ‘70, ‘73, ‘74 and ‘75.
And I assure you, I heard many Buckeye fans gripe about what Woody failed to win, in the 70’s.
Same goes for Dr. Tressel. He fed the monster.
This Harbaugh-to-Kansas sub-plot is not inevitable, even if he takes it. I bet he will insist on a cheapo buyout clause. And given how he’s played ball with Stan, I wouldn’t be surprised if he bails on the Jayhawks after one season – provided the bUMs bounce RR. He’s that ambitious. But, he has to be. The coaches are the biggest box office in the college game and the pressure to stay relevant is only building.