Eleven Warriors

I lurk here, but I follow recruiting pretty heavily...  Hopefully I might be able to answer some questions or provide a unique insight. Anyway, this is what I'm thinking...

QB: I think we're done.  The only way I could see that changing is if Trubinsky makes it so UFM can't turn him away by blowing the staff away in camp... At this point 4 QB's is plenty of depth for 2013.

RB: Sadly, I think we're done here too.  I really like Elliot's elusiveness and speed, but I was a big Green fan.  Quality kid, good program, said everyhting right early to be a buckeye, but it seems as though his waiting has pushed OSU further out of the picture.  I think he is Clemson bound as Dabbo has been ALL OVER this.

WR: UFM wants 2-3 more here.  I think he is overexaggerating his disappointment in the recieving corps, but seeing as he struck out/passed on on his big playmakers in 2012, he is not holding back in 2013.  Before I get into the uncommited, I think that we all need to step back and remember Marshall.  Go and rewatch this kid's tape.  He is a top 20 in the country type of talent and is PERFECT for UFM's offense to the point that, imo, all other wideouts from here on out are gravy.  There are four names that are floating around.  First, Gibson is about as close to a lock as you can get, and there are serious rumors that he has already verballed.  Regardless of whether he is a silent, I think he is official in June on his announcement date.  That leaves 1-2 more spots (depending on the player).  Treadwell is a player that I think UFM REALLY wants.  He is a UM lean, but I think the longer tOSU stays in it, the better for the Buckeyes.  If he hasn't gone blue by fall, I think it's a free for all.  So, because of that, the last two players I think will be told to wait a bit.  Those two are Quick and Allen.  Quick, the KY burner, has been hard to get a read on.  Intrest seems to have gone from 0 to 60 in no time flat on both ends.  If UFM really wants this kid I could see a commit in the summer at an event at FNL (but I think Treadwell is higher).  Last is the darkhorse, Devon Allen, from AZ.  He really hasn't gotten into the meat of his recruitment yet, but is planning a visit to Cbus in the summer.  I think tOSU sits in great position here too.  This is another track star who has great hands and would be a deep threat.  I think, in the end, we get Gibson and one of Quick/Allen depending on who pulls the trigger first with Treadwell going blue sometime in June.

TE: Heureman is in, and then we are done.  Nothing to see folks.

OL: This is an interesting position to analyze.  Lisle is a great prospect, that we locked up early, who can play tackle (RT) or could move inside and be a force.  I think it's a matter of when as opposed to if with Pocic.  Not that he is a lock, but more that he is ABSOLUTELY #1 on UFM's wish list right now.  I expect a full court press over the next few weeks.  If he gets him to commit, I will never, ever doubt UFM.  Pocic does have a summer trip of visits planned, which includes a return visit to tOSU.  I like Ethan to be in this class.  After that, I think we want one more.  With two recruits that could be our RT and LT, we have a bit of flexibility with the last spot and could take an inside lineman.  Two big names have been tossed around. Tunsil is the #1 overall OT out of Florida.  This would be a hell of a coup but would take a push all the way through NLOID and with the size of our class, I don't know if reserving a spot for such a longshot is really advisable.  Secondly is Dorian Johnson.  This would be a bit of a stretch as well, but if UFM decides to make him a priority, the situation could change.  In the end, I think we miss out on both leaving an open spot.  Who fills this?  One player is Rodgers out of Deleware.  I'm not sure the interest is super high on our end, but enough to give a non-commitable offer.  I think they want him to come to camp to compete with the in-state talent.  There are many possibilities of kids who could come into camp such as Gall, Meadows, Peterson, or someone who we don't even know exist currently.

DL: With Price, Bosa, and Sprinkle many thing this d-line class is done.  It is important to not that Neal is a LBer and NOT a lineman.  There is still not a true DT in this class yet.  The only player I think currently on the radar that UFM would take a commitment from and close up shop on the D-Line is Hurst.  I think it is a realistic option as well. Remember that any and all DL recruits are gravy at this point so UFM won't feel the need play the commit now game, but if he was to point out to Hurst how that spot could easily moved to another position (WR/DB/LB), he may pull the trigger.  If not, wait for camp again, see if someone really pops this fall.  The way we are positioned, any further commits here are a pure luxury.

LB: It's been repeated that UFM wants 2 LBers.  I think this is slightly incorrect as he wants 2 TRUE linebackers.  Neal is a tweener who will play the VIPER role.  He also took Love's spot.  No joke there.  Love was going to commit, visited Neb, loved it and decided to commit to the Huskers.  UFM was not pleased.  I think at this point he is willing to wait on Jaylon Smith.  There are a couple other LBer recruits that could come into camp and wow the staff for an offer to put the pressure on Smith.  Kimbrough is one I am a personal fan of.  Kid wants an offer something awful to the point where the staff could offer anytime and would get an instant commit.  I think he might be the next option on UFM's big board so I don;t really feel the need to keep talking about the position.

DB: First, forget about Thomas, he is a wolverine.  That ain't changing.  Same with Cravens and USC.  Kiffin has been all over that since 2001 (joke people).  There is one spot left and really three people who could fill it.  First is Mackensie Alexander.  He is the top shut-down corner in the country.  I think there is some intrest from his side.  Get him up on an official visit and we'll get a better idea.  If he comes it would allow Burrows to push out to safety, which is probably his more natural position, with Thompson and Alexander and Woodward on the edges.  That would be my dream DB class, and would be the best DB class in the country (not even close).  Moving more realistically, but still impressive, would be the safety Bell out of Georgia.  I think this is a personal favorite of UFM as he seems to be going after Vonn pretty heavily.  This one will go the distance too, so we're in wait and see mode.  Last is Worley, the Tarblooder out of Glenville.  This was a very interesting offer to me because, as we've seen, nearly all offers to in-state talent (besides QB's who the staff want to see throw in camp) have been commitable.  I'm not so sure that is the case here.  Worley is a hard-hitting safety, but I have concerns about his on-ball skills and like Bell a lot better.  I could see the staff telling Chris to wait on the other two, but I wouldn't expect him to want to.  This is another position where an unknown could come into play late in the game and steal a spot.

K/P: I honestly have no idea.  Might be something to take a look at again come December when we have a better idea about roster #'s and class size.

So that's what I've sorta gathered.  Wasn't sure whether to post this in the forum or blog, so I'll juest leave it here.  I'll be happy to clarify on any questions or comments.