Damian says he has 21 offers and is interested in every school right now. He loves tOSU's tradition and also Coach Meyer. Also says he would like to attend an Ohio State game in the Horseshoe this season.
Senior tight end is 6 feet 4 and 255 pounds after an off-season devoted to putting on muscle and weight, but opponents better not ignore his speed.
At 6 feet 4 and 255 pounds, with 40-yard speed faster than some running backs, Marcus Baugh of Riverside North High is no lumbering giant.
Seeing him race down the sideline after making a catch makes him look like a 17-year-old who's indestructible.
He's a tight end extraordinaire, having caught 30 passes for 528 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior when he weighed 215 pounds.
After an off-season of lifting weights and consuming protein supplements, he has put on 40 pounds.
"My weight coach keeps telling me I'm too skinny," he said.
The scary part for opponents is that Baugh is bigger and stronger but not slower.
"It hasn't affected my running," he said.
Added Coach Mark Parades: "One of the key characteristics is he's a great athlete. He can move and jump and do things a little guy can do. He's very versatile. We're going to use him as a wide out, a tight end, running back and inside linebacker."
Baugh started playing football when he was 9, then couldn't play again until eighth grade because he was too big to make weight.
Tight end seems the perfect position to take advantage of his size, speed and versatility. Whether it comes to blocking or receiving, Baugh performs both assignments at a high standard of excellence.
"He locks onto guys, and guys can't get off," Parades said.
His size will allow him to take on 300-pound tackles on defense. On offense, linebackers and defensive backs are going to have to deal with him when he tries to clear them out of the way on running plays.
"I had a few pancakes last year," he said.
And covering him won't be easy, either.
North has a wheel route where Baugh gets isolated on a linebacker, and it was working well during summer passing competition.
Baugh's big moment during the off-season came when he announced Ohio State was his college choice. He has lived in Southern California all his life, but he calls Ohio State his "dream school."
"It was the best place for me," he said. "I'm not going to settle for something less. If it means me having to go 2,000 miles away to the state of Ohio for the next four years, I'll have to do that."
When Baugh made the decision in April, he said it created a burst of insanity.
"My phone didn't stop ringing for an hour or two," he said. "I doubled my twitter followers in two hours. I kept getting text messages, congratulations and everybody wanting an interview."
Things have calmed down considerably, allowing him to focus on the season ahead with little distractions.
Georgia safety Vonn Bell is one of the top defensive backs in the country in the 2013 class and one of the top recruiting targets left for Ohio State as signing day approaches.
Bell currently lists his top seven schools as: Ohio State, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Clemson and Vanderbilt- although he may cut that list soon.
In an effort to pick the right school, Bell and his family have submitted a list of questions to the finalists.
The third [question] was about how quickly he could get on the field and what the school’s plan was for him as a football player.
Urban Meyer himself would likely take the lead on the response to this one, and a quick look at the depth chart, with five of the six players in the three-deep being juniors or seniors, indicates that there will be plenty of opportunity in the secondary at Ohio State in the near future.
Needless to say, Vonn Bell would be a huge addition to the secondary in Columbus. It will be exciting to see if he will become a part of Ohio State’s strong finish to the 2013 recruiting class.
Here are some highlights (of his 180 tackles last season):
According to a report from Rivals.com (behind a pay wall), rumors began to circulate over the weekend that 5-star running back Derrick Green (Richmond, Va.) was ready to verbally commit to one of his final six schools by the end of the week. However, the Hermitage High School star informed recruiting guru Mike Farrell that the rumors are false.
"No I haven't heard those, but they aren't true," Green said about the rumors. "I don't have a timeframe for a decision and right now I plan on taking all five of my official visits. I thought at one point it would be cool to commit at halftime or before our ESPN game this weekend against Fork Union but there's no way that would happen.
"Coach Kane (Hermitage head coach) doesn't play like that. Anyone who knows him knows that wouldn't happen. Our focus is on the game and winning, it can't be about one player."
The nation's No. 13 overall prospect and No. 1 ranked running back in the country is coming off of impressive unofficial visits at Auburn and Georgia this past weekend. Green said he had "a good time" at Georgia and that he had a "really good feeling" at Auburn.
All that being said, Green does not have a favorite and has begun to set up his five allotted official visits, which will likely take two teams out of the hunt for his services.
"It's safe to say (Auburn) will get an official visit," the 6'0", 220-pounder said. "I don't have a leader, I am still taking things in. The only official visits I have scheduled is for Michigan when they host Michigan State (Oct. 19-21) but I'm in the process of setting up officials with Auburn and Tennessee as well."
The three other teams from Green's top six, which he unveiled earlier this month, are Ole Miss, Virginia Tech and Oregon. Georgia did not make Green's original list; however, they are in the hunt with the aforementioned programs to receive an official visit.
"(Georgia) have a very, very high chance," Green toldUGASports.com about the Bulldogs potentially playing host to him this fall. "I'm just going to have to wait and see when I drop my next list."
Green went on to reiterate a commitment is not coming anytime soon, that he plans to take his all of his official visits and then talk things over with his family before making a decision about his future.
"I have no plan to commit this weekend, I don't even think I will commit on a visit," Green said to Farrell Tuesday morning. "The way my family and I want to handle this is to take our time and make sure of everything."
If you want the chance to watch Green and Hermitage in action against Fork Union Military Academy tune in to ESPNU on Saturday, August 25. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
Quick looked good against Brentwood. QB looked awesome. That was every play for the game except the fumble he had. Real nice flea flicker at the end of the game to get him a TD.
Amen Dubjay.....amen. He's been a must get in my mind for a quite a while.
I'm not assuming it's Bell or anything but does anyone have any ideas who these 'silent' commits are that Woodard was hinting at before? It's been a while since I've heard speculation. "I love Rumors!" - Hans Landa, Ingluorious Basterds
"I'm One Bad Buckeye, and I approve this message."
I always said tTUN, Auburn or GA for Green. I hate to say I don't care where Green goes...bc I actually do. I really wanted OSU to get this guy, but oh well. As far as Vonn Bell...I see the picture you and Jim at BBC are portraying Gene... I like it a lot;-)
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
All set, will update if anything else comes out
I'm assuming that the top 5 for Garrett isn't in order of favorites? I haven't heard much of him liking Oklahoma until just now.
Screw cow bell, the only prescription is more Vonn Bell!!!!
Quick looked good against Brentwood. QB looked awesome. That was every play for the game except the fumble he had. Real nice flea flicker at the end of the game to get him a TD.
Garrett was recently offered by Oklahoma which is probably why they are just now on his radar.
Amen Dubjay.....amen. He's been a must get in my mind for a quite a while.
I'm not assuming it's Bell or anything but does anyone have any ideas who these 'silent' commits are that Woodard was hinting at before? It's been a while since I've heard speculation. "I love Rumors!" - Hans Landa, Ingluorious Basterds
"I'm One Bad Buckeye, and I approve this message."
quick looked great, give me him as the #1 receiver on my board. like how he broke the tackle of ramsey the usc stud commit
O'Deez330
stark county football
Jalen Ramsey looked horrible in all of those highlights.
I agree looks over hyped At end of game he looks like he gave up and not that fast.
Nice Dubjay, but listen, Von Bell put on his (gold) pants just like everyone else, but after he does he beats on Wolverines.
"Because the rules won't let you go for three." - Woody Hayes
THE Ohio State University
I always said tTUN, Auburn or GA for Green. I hate to say I don't care where Green goes...bc I actually do. I really wanted OSU to get this guy, but oh well. As far as Vonn Bell...I see the picture you and Jim at BBC are portraying Gene... I like it a lot;-)
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
That's it for today's edition, tomorrow's post will be a little different than from what you guys are used to, just some minor things.
i think bell will commit eventually
mark may wins douchebag of the year... again