Boom or Bust?

More like succeeded or failed but boom or bust sounds cooler :)

2016 Recruiting Edition

Nick Bosa (DE, FL, 5 star, 0.9965)

Ultra talented defensive end and brother of Joey. Had a very good sophomore season before getting injured in his junior year, opting out and declaring early. Say what you want about the situation regarding his injury but if you’re the second overall pick and the NFL DROY, you’re a boom in my eyes. BOOM

Jonathan Cooper (DE, OH, 4 star, 0.9811)

Pretty good defensive end and an even better person. Became a team captain and the first player in OSU history to wear the “Block O jersey”, or the number 0. Was forced to take a surprise redshirt in 2019 after being injured throughout the season. BOOM

DeMario McCall (APB, OH, 4 star, 0.9767)

Speedy athlete who never managed to find his role within Ohio State’s offense. Ended up as a kick returner but always fair caught and never managed to return the ball. Had ball security issues and just didn’t fit in the system. BUST

Austin Mack (WR, IN, 4 star, 0.9649)

If there is a category in the middle, this guy would be it. Way underperformed his ranking and never seemed to put it together. Never eclipsed 400 yards in a season and was also injury prone. Flashed at times. He went undrafted, however he still managed to find an NFL team and has proven a lot of people wrong by staying on the Giants roster. I’ll let the comments decide whether Mack is Boom or Bust. UNDECIDED

Dwayne Haskins (QB, MD, 4 star, 0.9561)

Apparently the #2 ranked 4th grader in the world at one point, Haskins only started one year at OSU and beat out redshirt junior Joe Burrow for the job (that name sounds familiar). Haskins managed to break almost all of the Big Ten single-season passing records and lead the Buckeyes to a victory in the Rose Bowl over Washington. He is a complete bust so far in the NFL but definitely succeeded here. BOOM

Binjimen Victor (WR, FL, 4 star, 0.9546)

Victor was a very solid receiver for OSU while he was here. He is known for his big plays, particularly in the 2018 Penn State game. Had his best season in 2019 which was also the season where Victor made a 70-yard TD catch against MSU in a play that would be featured on both his and Justin Fields’ highlight reels. BOOM

Keandre Jones (OLB, MD, 4 star, 0.9544)

Never seemed to come together for the Buckeyes, however he did succeed in his one year with Maryland. He went undrafted and plays for the Bengals. Since this is based on success at OSU, he is a BUST.

Jake Hausmann (TE, OH, 4 star, 0.9439)

Had a good touchdown catch against Indiana in 2019 and managed to get some playing time as a third string tight end in 2020. Has never put it together at TE but we don’t know if he will elect to use his extra year or eligibility or move on with life. If he leaves he will be a bust. UNKNOWN

Michael Jordan (C, MI, 4 star, 0.9411)

Very rare instance of a true freshman offensive lineman starting at Ohio State, especially for a mid-4 star guy. He started at left guard in 2016 then moved over to center later in his career. Jordan, who shared the name of a particularly fantastic basketball player and horrible Hornets owner, ended up being solid for the Buckeyes and was taken in the fourth round of the draft. Ironically, he also managed to start at left guard as a rookie for his NFL team, the Cincinnati Bengals (yes I know their line is godawful). BOOM

Jordan Fuller (S, NJ, 4 star, 0.9403)

Fuller was a guy who was a very smart player and also played like a beast. In 2019, OSU only ran one safety, but Fuller proved he could be that do-it-all type safety. He was first-team all B1G in 2019, second-team in 2018, and third-team in 2017, while also being a team captain. He was very underrated with draft boards, taken by the Rams with the same pick as a quarterback with 6 super bowl rings. He has already made an impact in LA, intercepting said quarterback twice in one game once. BOOM

Malcolm Pridgeon (T, NY, 4 star, 0.9329) (JUCO)

Very large man who measures in at 6’7” 320 lbs. Started 1 year at Ohio State, playing at the left guard position in 2018. Considering what he’s gone through, I think managing to get that start was great for him. He was part of an offensive line that gave up the third fewest sacks in the Big Ten and ended up being undrafted. He now plays for the Cleveland Browns. BOOM

Tyler Gerald (G, OH, 4 star, 0.9294)

Probably the most mysterious player in the class. He redshirted in 2016 then during offseason workouts, he just… quit??? Yes, he quit. A reason was never given. We have not heard anything on him since he quit and the Portsmouth native is an obvious BUST.

Antonio Williams (RB, NC, 4 star, 0.9286)

Played sparingly in garbage time in 2016 and 2017. After two years with the program, he decided to transfer back home to North Carolina, and he never made a big impact over there either. BUST

Luke Farrell (TE, OH, 4 star, 0.9233)

Had the most snaps of any tight end in 2020 and made an impact blocking and receiving. Had a great catch on a Justin Fields throw during the Clemson game, where he forced the ball away from the Clemson defender while standing still. BOOM

Malik Barrow (DT, FL, 4 star, 0.8990)

Had some potential but his career was doomed after suffering multiple torn ACL injuries, the most notable of these came during the Ohio State-UNLV game in 2017, which led to a medical retirement. He would then unretire and grad-transfer to UCF and then Rutgers, where he currently plays today. BUST

Tuf Borland (LB, IL, 4 star, 0.8933)

Was a 3-year starter and a team captain at OSU. Was very limited athletically but very smart and in the right place and knew the defense well. Some will disagree, but why would I call a 3-year starter at middle linebacker and a team captain a bust? BOOM

Kierre Hawkins (TE, OH, 4 star, 0.8919)

Transferred to Youngstown State after 2 years because of playing time. Never really panned out at OSU and got buried at 5th on the depth chart behind Baugh, Berry, Farrell, and Hausmann. Played 12 games for the Penguins in 2019 but only caught 3 passes. BUST

Wayne Davis (CB, VA, 4 star, 0.8912)

Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year and member of 2017 Big Ten All-Academic Team who transferred from Ohio State after 2 seasons. Davis is now a solid starter at James Madison, where he started all 16 games in 2019. BUST for us but JMU got a guy.

Gavin Cupp (T, OH, 3 star, 0.8791)

Cupp is a guy who has never started a game and didn’t really pan out. But, he never left. He never got past the second string and he fell behind Enokk Vimahi to become the third string right guard in 2020. I hate to admit it considering he stayed loyal to the program but he is a BUST.

Jack Wohlabaugh (G, OH, 3 star, 0.8761)

Wohlabaugh was a backup at OSU for two seasons before transferring to Duke. He was actually quite successful for the Blue Devils, becoming a team captain and was on the Rimington and Outland Trophy watch lists. He was also considered as Duke’s best offensive lineman. BUST for Ohio State, but a complete portal gem for the Blue Devils.

Malik Harrison (LB, OH, 3 star, 0.8568)

The Columbus native way outperformed expectations at Ohio State and earned a starting spot at linebacker in 2019, where he took off and became first-team all Big Ten. He was drafted in the third round of the 2020 draft by the Baltimore Ravens, joining teammate JK Dobbins. BOOM

Drue Chrisman (P, OH, 3 star, 0.8529)

Cincinnati La Salle is known for producing quality special teams players. Chrisman is probably the best one they’ve produced. Rated as the best punter in the nation for 2016, Chrisman did not disappoint. He was so good that the best moment of his OSU career wasn’t even on a punt. It was when he proposed to his wife during the 2019 OSU Spring Game. Aww, such a sweet moment for a guy that will be punting on Sundays. BOOM

Rodjay Burns (CB, KY, 3 star, 0.8529)

Played 1 season at OSU before transferring to Louisville. Managed to get a pick 6 against Bowling Green in garbage time for the Buckeyes. Was ineligible in 2017 due to transfer regulations but developed into a solid starter for the Cardinals. BUST for us but not for them.

Tre Avery (CB, MD, 3 star, 0.8513)

Never played a snap for the Buckeyes and enrolled at Toledo before transferring to Rutgers. Was a solid starter for the Scarlet Knights and ended up being third-team all Big Ten. BUST at OSU though.

Jahsen Wint (S, NY, 3 star, 0.8485)

Stayed at OSU his whole career and looked like he was in the starter competition in 2020, despite lack of promise after a start against Oregon State in 2018. However, you know the story. Wint and fellow OSU defensive back Amir Riep were caught doing ...things. Sorry to leave you with a bad taste in your mouth, maybe I should have put Chrisman last instead. BUST

Thank you for reading 4 Google Docs worth of 2016 Ohio State recruiting.

Also I had the 2017 one in my drafts for a few days and I just wanted to post it today.