Hey everyone! Since it's the start of summer and we have 9 or so (way too long) weeks until the season starts, I thought I'd propose something fun. Though it's a long way until signing day, I thought it would be fun to predict where current buckeye commits sit come signing day. Let's try to stay unbiased (though it is hard sometimes). All of the rankings I posting are from Rivals. I tend to like 247 a little better (more accurate from the film I've seen), but Rivals does have a great track record and 247 is newer.
NOTE: All of these are talking about rankings, not how good I think they will be in Columbus (i.e. I could have them sliding in the rankings, but that doesn't mean I think they're not going to be great as a Buckeye).
JT Barrett: I think he'll stay a 4 star, but could move up in # ranking (currently #6 DT QB, could move to the 3-5 range with a good showing at Elite 11).
Marcus Baugh: Stud. He'll stay a 4 star but will move up to the 2-4 range as far as TE go (currently 6).
Joey Bosa: It's a crime that this kid isn't a 5 star. If he were to go to camps like other kids, he'd be a top 15 overall player. I think if he dominates the nationally televised games like he did last year, he'll for sure get that 5th star.
Cam Burrows: I think he stays at #3 CB and keeps his 5 stars.
Ezekiel Elliott: He is currently a 4 star and the #13 RB. I think he stays at 4 stars but moves up to the top 10.
Evan Lisle: I'll admit it, I haven't heard much about him recently. While I think he will be very good, I think his ranking could suffer because he isn't in the public eye (and OL tend to move around a lot in these rankings).
Jalin Marshall: Another kid that should clearly be a 5 star. If he played WR in high school, he'd be a top 10 player. The only knock on Marshall has been that he needs to prove himself at WR. I think he did that at the Nike combine. I think he did that at the 5 star challenge. He will get a 5th star and if he doesn't the only reason will be that he is already committed (usually hurts kids in the rankings).
Billy Price: Currently a 4 star and #12 DT. I think he could possibly slide. There have been mixed reviews on how he has done at camps (some domination, some getting dominated). Inconsistency never helps D-Linemen in the rankings.
Tracy Sprinkle: Currently a 3 star and #29 DE. From all accounts he is a 3 star due to under-exposure. He will more than likely get a 4th, but at the VERY least move up in the rankings.
Jayme Thompson: Has 4 stars and is #16. I think he stays with 4 but moves up to the 10-12 range (possibly higher with a great season). Has had great camps.
Johnny Townsend: 5 star for sure. Just kidding. But seriously, not really relevant to rankings because kickers aren't really ranked besides an arbitrary top 5.
Eli Woodard: I think he used to have 5 stars, then dropped (could be wrong). I think he gains that 5th star back. He was impressive this past weekend in Atlanta. With more 5th stars given out as the year goes on, I think he gets one. Now if we can just add Vonn Bell (who for some reason is only a 4 star and #13 S right now), we'd have probably the best DB class in recent history of any program out there with Burrows, Woodard, Thompson and Bell (not sure who would beat this, but couldn't imagine anyone doing so).
What do you all think?
Thompson could be a top 5 safety when it's all said and done. The only real knock on him has been his hands (in progress) and speed (recently proved the doubters wrong at OSU camp), which he's tried to improve in camp.