Eleven Warriors

Is Sal going to be around?

I don't think Urban is allowed to visit with recruits off campus at this stage in the recruiting cycle, only assistant coaches are.

Many people said that Fickle was our best recruiter in the Tressel days. I trust him to do what needs to be done. Plus that is his position.

Fickell is supposed to be a great recruiter, he is the defensive coordinator, he is coaching the line backers, and he's a former OSU standout. I think he is a great guy to go out and see if he can real Anzalone back in. 

Alex whats your current take on Anzalone, do you think he could end up in this class?

@3technique ... You think he would add "toughness" to the LBs?!?! How so if you don't mind me asking ... He doesn't do anything on film that shows me he'd add anymore toughness then then any of the incoming freshmen ... and if you want toughness just watch Shazier in the circle drill against the bigger Sabino ... Alex would add to the already much improved athletics of the LB core, but toughness he wouldn't add ... J.Bosa is tough ... Alex having 2nd thoughts, but blaming something else for his de-commitment, doesn't display any level of toughness to me ...

@Hail I don't think there are "concerns" at LB Depth. I think we should be fine even if we don't sign any LB's in this class, given last years haul and the youth of some of the starters (Shazier, Grant). That said Anzalone is big prospect, one whom there is always room for regardless of depth, I would love for him to get back in to this class. I think the staff will sign at least one LB in this class and as many as three, because I think a spot will be saved for Jaylon Smith and the staff may sign one hybrid (Lewis Neal Type). 

I think that he and his parents may have initially over-reacted in the wake of creeper-gate, but they pretty quickly backed off their initially strong statements against OSU. I cant say that if I was in their position I wouldn't have done the same thing, as I can imagine for parents thats would have been an extremely concerning situation. Plus, he's a kid and where to attend college is a huge decision. So I completely give them a pass, I personally don't really get upset if any kid decommits or steps back and reevaluates. Of course when kids who are doing it serially and completely flip flopping over the place thats a different story. But, the Anzalone and Neal decommits both appeared to be for tangible reasons (Creeper Gate, and too far from home) both of which I certainly can understand. As I mentions, ultimately I hope Anzalone ends up in this class, and the same goes for Neal. 

A. @Bama and others: Stop with the "Anzalone's tape isn't good" argument. Clearly, since just about every coach in America wants him, he has an invite to The Opening, and he's highly rated across the board, he's a great prospect. You are not a better judge of talent than the likes of Urban and co. Just stop.

B. Anyone that's ever met Luke Fickell will tell you, he's got that personality factor that makes you want to like him. He's got the family-type aura that recruits and families like, and he also heads a traditionally dominant defense. When it comes to the areas he's been recruiting since his hire, he's the top tier.

I said, people are saying that his "tape isn't good".

The fact that coaches have recruited players that don't pan out has to be the worst argument ever. That would mean that no one on the earth knows talent

meh. i bet he cooks a mean spaghetti, but otherwise, i'm not excited about him. i hope he and his father end up at psu playing for the sandusky risen phoenix.

The integrity of this Ohio State staff is outstanding.  Regardless of what may or may not happen here, these are good people.   

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about the guy. Obviously bama and buck I.8 are In a disagreement about Anzalones ability as a LB, but let's not turn into grammar nazis and have pissing contests. I'd hope that as Buckeyes, we are more mature than taking grammar shots at fellow fans. Now Michigan fans on the other hand, pick apart their posts letter by letter;) 

Everybody Love Everybody

I second what Triv said.

@Triv ... I 2nd your thought as well ...

@Gobucks ... I agree completely.

I don't follow ND much and so I don't know how their depth is, but at this point I think he might end up with ND.  He clearly enjoyed being with Heuerman at our Spring Game and they must have a better depth chart than Florida even if they add Jaylon too.  Long way to go either way.  It sounds like he is going to take his time now.

We definitely don't need LBs in this class, but I would like to add one LBer in this class (at least) and he seems like the best besides Jaylon at this point.

 Somebody calling out spelling (or grammar) and not understanding your/you're - classic.

@ Buckeyeneer...during the Tressel era, Fickell could've easily been know as the best offensive mind and quarterbacks coach as well.

Anyone know how the visit went?

I am very pro Buckeye but I understand where Bama is coming from and I support his opinion. I don't know if he ever said the kid isn't good, I believe he is. He is very fast and athletic but I didn't see text book tackling and "Toughness". Does he elevate the LB corps? I think he will but I don't know if he bring s "Toughness". Arm tackles won't often work at the college level. Disclaimer: My opinion is based off of a limited hilight real.

If he claims he's going to be taking things slow now and that he rushed into committing early to OSU then I would hope he won't commit on the spot to Notre Dame while he visits. But really who knows. At this point I would still like to have him as a Buckeye, but we'll see. 

Is he the kind of prospect that OSU, ND or UF would hold a place for? (Not trying to be snarky at all, the question is sincere.) Or is it that as much as the family would like to take things slower, he could be left out in the cold if he doesn't commit soon to one of the programs that he still has an interest in?

@Southbymidwest Arguable he is a big time player his offers alone speak to that, but ultimately I think it depends on the school and their roster/depth situation. I think OSU will hold a spot for him for a little while, but given the limited spots in this class I don't that thats an indefinite hold. In particular if some other high profile guys try to commit.