Vannett Makes Sweet 16
A day after the Bucks reeled in their first commitment in the class of 2012, they picked up the 16th member of their recruiting class of 2011. Tight End Nick Vannett of Westerville Central pledged his allegiance to Buckeye Nation today in a refreshingly low key announcement that featured no press conference, rather just calls to his top schools and e-mails and texts to the media. Vannett chose OSU over offers from Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Iowa, Penn State, Oregon, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and others.
The 6-6/230 Vannett becomes the second tight end to verbal to this class, after Jeff Heuerman did so shortly after the spring game. The two became quite close this past weekend at the Ohio State Senior Advanced Camp, striking up a friendship while participating in various workouts and drills. Vannett is rated the #11 tight end by Scout, the #12 tight end by Rivals, and the #8 tight end by ESPN. He is expected to be the "receiving tight end" out of the two and should fit right into the depth chart behind Jake Stoneburner in that role.
This is a huge pick up for Jim Tressel and closes out the position for this class. With recent departures and the Jamel Turner situation, a class that once looked to be about 22, will now probably number about 25. Ron Tanner announces his decision on Friday and it is very likely he will be number 17 in this class, so look for about 8 more players to come on board in the next 6 months or so. The recruiting ball keeps rolling for Ohio State and we'll keep you updated along the ride.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Comments
Looks like a good all around player.
Good blocker and good receiver. Interesting that the Buckeyes will have Stoneburner, DiLillo, Fragel, Heuermann, and Vannett. Seems like an overload at the position unless:
1) They catch more passes.
2) Don't see all the players staying there. (Fragel)
Or both.
Fragel could move to OT, but I think he will stay at TE...DiLillo is an underachiever who word has it, doesn't put in the hard work necessary and could be stepped over by walk-on Spencer Smith at TE....Vannett and Heuerman keep the depth and talent at the position stable for years to come and red-shirting one or both may not be a bad idea, although Heuerman is likely to red-shirt of the two
I may be alone in this, but I do not want to see this class swell to 25 members. We're looking at only about 15 available scholarships for an absolutely loaded 2012 class. I'd like to see them saved and applied to that class instead. Next year, there is even more in-state talent who are heavy Buckeye leans.
Any word on Henderson? I don't think he's going to stay at USC. He will have to sit out this year but IMO he could start from day one next year.
Risky. I don't see any fluff along the lines of what Michigan is filling up their class with. The rest of the guys on the board are all highly ranked players (Depriest, Doran Grant, a LB or two, and Ron Tanner. Maybe Cardale Jones?
I think everyone here has said from the beginning we only want 19-21 guys in this class, so, no, you're not alone.
Thanks Alex, for the inside scoop. I remember DiLillo was a late addition, but I've heard good and bad. I'm not worried, I was hoping to see more action to the TE position. Vannett definitely makes up for the loss of Koyack to ND.
tress needs to stop loading up on the 3 star talent early in the recruiting season when there are consensus better players available. i trust the coaches' judgment but we shouldn't be turning down obvious high potential players at the end of this season or holding scholarships for a big class next year
Heard he's still trying to qualify academically...if he doesn't qualify he goes to prep school and his recruitment is open.....if he qualifies, USC will have to let him out of his LOI....that is unlikely so if he chooses to go elsewhere he will have to sit out a year at any other FBS school
NCAA Granted free release with no one year sit out penalty to USC's recruits.
Only juniors or seniors...not everyone
Troy Smith 4 Stars
James Laurinaitis 3 Stars
AJ Hawk 3 Stars
Malcolm Jenkins 3 Stars
Brian Robiskie 3 Stars
Santonio Holmes 3 stars
Looks like Tress has done quite well with 3 star talent
I'm not worried about landing a few 3 star guys that have not even taken the field for their senior year yet. They wouldn't offer if they guys weren't good. This class has already got some really strong players committed and on rivals list none of them are top 10 or 5 stars. I'll trust that the staff knows what they are doing. This class, will end up being a top 5 class by the time it's all said and done.
The guy that was 5 Stars? Mo Clarett
Tress doesn't look at stars, he looks at players. I, for one, am glad we aren't Notre Dame.
Justin Zwick, Mike D'Andrea
Connor Smith anyone?
Almost forgot my man Jamario O'Neal
Not that long ago, rivals put 3 star players on their top 100. Now, guys that aren't on the rivals 250 are considered 5 stars. Have players gotten that much better? Do they really have that many more people evaluating talent out there now? I don't think so. I think it's that people pay a lot of money to get "inside info" and they have to put out a product that matches the hype. I mean do you really want to see a 3 star or lower pick your team's hat? No, but 6 or 7 years ago some of the bottom players on the rivals 250 weren't even 3 star athletes. You make them all 4 stars and it provides drama for every player and their recruiting trail.
What's all this mean? I just don't necessarily put as much emphasis on a guy being a 3 4 or 5 star player anymore. Tressel is going after kids and nailing them now, not settling for a guy because the one he wanted got away on signing day or the AA game. I'm not discouraged by this staff signing guys they want.
Another thing I think is more telling that the stars a recruit has amassed is the offer list he has. Sure some early on didn't like that guys were offered by only MAC Schools, but almost everyone who has signed to this point has at least 1 or 2 pretty big programs on their list. Sure everyone recruits guys who don't always make the field but if you have a guy who is a 3 star with offers from Florida, Bama, Penn State, and others, he's a pretty solid player.
Is this kid any relation to Mike Vannett of Wittenberg fame?
what's a tight end? Is that anything like a Byron Mullens? If there are horse shoes, are there horse socks?
Interesting that people were complaining last year that he waited too long for big names players, and missed on the solid three star talent in Ohio. Guess the guy can't win...
pretty much.
The TE pun was missed: Are there Hart Socks? Is anyone listening to me?
Is this thing on? Try the veal
tough crowd.
Oh you mean as opposed to TSUN fighting it out with the MAC schools for talent? Very good call, honestly I'd rather look at who else is recruiting the kid than the number of stars. Although it is easier to beat out the Ball States, Duke U.'s, and Rutgerses of the world. Well maybe not all the time.
http://mgoblog.com/content/thu...