By BK...Coach Meyer offered today...also has offers from Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, North Carolina State, South Florida and Central Florida.
James loved his visit to Clemson and says he will probably change his UF visit next weekend to tOSU. He will announce on NLOID amongst Florida, Clemson, Ohio State, Northwestern and Nebraska.
The Buckeyes won their showdown against Michigan on the hardwood, but Michigan State on the road was another story. And the recruiting news continues to roll in with just a little more than two weeks until signing day. This is Across The Field, a regular feature on BuckeyeNation where we point you to noteworthy Buckeyes coverage here and elsewhere. Think something should be included? Send it to espnkendrick@gmail.com.
BuckeyeNation Week in Review
As offseason football conditioning gets ramped up, Urban Meyer is happy with the state of the program.
The Buckeyes would also like a lineman, and Dan Skipper and Cameron Hunt each could fill that spot. But both are committed elsewhere.
And, of course, there's also Vonn Bell, who told Kipp Adams good things about his Columbus visit.
Bournival answers readers' questions about the 2013 class and more in this week's mailbag.
The OSU-Michigan rivalry continues to play out in recruiting. Bournival and WolverineNation's Tom VanHaaren talked it up on Cleveland ESPN affiliate WKNR.
The perception is Ohio State is going out of state for recruiting more, but that doesn't mesh with the facts.
Ohio State assistant football coach Luke Fickell was on hand to watch linebacker prospect Kyle Berger. The 6-3 junior did not disappoint. He scored 15 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, and made several athletic plays.
East Lansing — Saturday was a big recruiting day for Michigan State's football team and one player had more attention than most during Michigan State's 59-56 victory over Ohio State at Breslin Center.
Drake Harris, a junior at Grand Rapids Christian, sat front and center and watched most of the game sitting near Damion Terry and Jon Reschke, two of Michigan State's top commitments for the 2013 class.
Harris, rated as the top receiver in the country for 2014 by ESPN.com, is committed to Michigan State but said early in the week he was going to take more visits after he received an offer from Ohio State and decided to focus only on football and not play basketball in college.
At halftime, Harris walked with football coach Mark Dantonio to the tunnel as the Izzone cheered him every step of the way.
Harris said he plans to visit Ohio State and Florida and could add others, though he has also said he remains committed to Michigan State.
The Spartans did add one recruit on Saturday for the 2013 class, getting a verbal commitment from safety Justin Williams of Port St. Lucie, Fla.
247Sports reported the 6-foot-1, three-star prospect chose Michigan State over Cincinnati, Marshall and South Carolina.
That brings Michigan State's recruiting class to 16 commitments.
Clemson’s 2013 receiver class restocked with former NC State commit Kyrin Priester switching to the Tigers, after an official visit on campus this weekend.
Priester (6-1 181, Snellville, Ga.) is a three-star prospect via Scout and Rivals and a four-star and top-300 ESPN-rated recruit, hauling in 56 catches for 1,116 yards and 12 touchdowns his senior year.
“Priester is a versatile receiver and he could play inside or outside on the next level,” Scout analyst Chad Simmons said in his last assessment of Priester. “He is more of a quick than fast wideout and he is tough to tackle in open space.”
He is the Tigers’ 16th commitment and joins Mike Williams (four-star rated, Lake Marion HS) at the receiver spot for the ’13 class.
Also in town was four-star receiver James Clark (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.), who received an offer from Ohio State last week, and four-star quarterback Asiantii Woulard, who said on Twitter he will announce his decision on Signing Day (Feb. 6) at 12:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Woulard has visited NC State and Kentucky and is scheduled to make the trip to UCLA next week.
Ohio State has 22 players pledged to its 2013 recruiting class, including a couple of dynamic athletes — Ezekiel Elliott and Jalin Marshall — who might add immediate pep to the offense.
But 17 days before national letters of intent may be signed, the Buckeyes are still in the hunt for at least one more wide /athlete type. They also are trying to lure safety prospect Vonn Bell of northwestern Georgia and perhaps one more offensive lineman.
“You can never have too many athletes and skill players — especially on the perimeter — in an Urban Meyer offense,” said veteran recruiting analyst Jeremy Crabtree of ESPN.com. “That’s kind of what we’re seeing here. They want another guy like that, and they are going after them.”
That, Crabtree said, is the trademark relentless approach of Meyer and his staff, who are in their second year at Ohio State. For example, when Oregon coach Chip Kelly bolted for the NFL last week, Buckeyes coaches almost just as quickly made overt recruiting overtures to three players — Dontre Wilson of DeSoto, Texas, and twins Tyree and Tyrell Robinson of San Diego — who have orally committed to the Ducks.
They fit the bill of the receiver/athlete type.
“We’re seeing the Ohio State coaches notice — I don’t know if this is the right way to put it — the sort of ‘blood in the water’ with the departure of Chip Kelly,” Crabtree said.
Meyer came from a six-year stint at Florida in the Southeastern Conference, where swimming with sharks right up to national-letter-of-intent signing day — even beyond — is a way of life.
Remember, the Buckeyes pounced on linebacker Trey Johnson of Lawrenceville (Gwinnett Central), Ga., who had renounced his pledge to Auburn after coach Gene Chizik was fired, and they gained Johnson’s commitment two weeks ago.
When Claude Mathis, Wilson’s coach at DeSoto High School, heard from OSU offensive coordinator Tom Herman again in the middle of last week, though, it wasn’t as if a stranger were calling.
“I have a great relationship with coach Herman; we talk all the time,” Mathis said. “That’s because we’re good friends, so that’s like normal when we talk.”
OSU had been keeping tabs on Wilson all along, just in case he might have a change of heart. Now, he is expected to make an official visit to Ohio State next weekend, and the Robinson twins might be there, too.
Plus, the Buckeyes are still in the courting phase with “athlete” Corn Elder of Nashville, Tenn., and receivers James Clark, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and Corey Smith, of East Mississippi Community College, who is from Akron.
Wow, a lot of people were skeptical that reaching out to Priester would be a wasted schollie. That scout is already stating he will be a receiver at the next level.
Theres always one kid per recruiting cycle that takes home the "most indecisive" award. With Stevens a fifth committment this year is a very real possibility.
Not at all but I believe he gets the "most drama" award. I give the edge to Stevens bc he committed, decommitted, recommitted, decommitted, commited to another school, decommitted, then committed to a third school in a span of maybe 2 months tops. Going by that I say hes the most indecisive this year.
de'soto texas' hc is "good/best friends" with our OC. thats music to my ears. Tosu presence in texas ever since meyer took over is crazy. if we land wilson, him and mithcell out of texas can start the texas stud pipeline, and i'm still holding out hope for D. Knox next year i think he secretly loves ohio st but wants his friend with him but i think he realizes what is best for him by nsd if we still pursue him.
I understand the free trip thing, but does Munger know about Tallahassee? Seems more like a 'southern Alabama' environment than a 'south beach' environment to me. Guy needs better travel advise, if that is truly what it is about.
Our wide receiver/playmaker possibilities are getting pretty slim, if we don't come through on any of the Oregon commits, I'm hoping the staff just banks the scholarship for next year. I don't want to take any players out of the "whatever is left basket".
What does everyone else thing about this Campbell kid? It looks like he's very fast and moves around well, not to mention he's 6'5! It's a long way away but I think it would be very exciting to see some big athletes on the perimeter in a meyer offense.
Maybe I just got used to how crazy things were over the past month in recruiting, but we still have some spots to fill and things seem tepid. They always say where there's smoke, there's fire. But I'm looking for the smoke at this point.
It's hard to make an educated as to how this class is going to end up.
Was thinking the same thing. Check this site several times a day for updates to see what is being talked about in the forum......and it's not much. I trust the staff knows what they are doing!!
I read today that James Clark is thinking about canceling his UF visit and visiting OSU. Would be nice to steal this kid out of FL. Also, still interested to see what happens with Wilson and the Robinson twins.
And as I said that, Bill Kurelic from Bucknuts reported that Tom Herman is on his way to visit Oregon's WR commit Darren Carrington in California. This will be an interesting last few weeks until NSD, indeed.
I saw that earlier tonight. I believe Urban is going to work some magic these next 2 weeks. I think we will finish with the #1 or #2 recruiting class in the country.
timmons getting an in-home visit from osu next week? and i got downvoted how badly last week for refusing to believe that ship had sailed as for timmons possibly being a buckeye? perhaps some apologies are in order? also i had read where the courier-journal of louisville had quoted timmons last sunday as saying he cancelled his official visit and i was down voted for that too? quite frankly i think timmons will not be a buckeye, but the down voting for me expressing my opinions were quite out of order. but thats okay.
Let that be bro. I will give you an upvote cause what you say is true and you said it nicely. We knew good things would come his way and they are. Genestare reported Fla, Missouri, tOSU, UK and Illini are all coming in for in home visits this week.
Wow, a lot of people were skeptical that reaching out to Priester would be a wasted schollie. That scout is already stating he will be a receiver at the next level.
Odds Tony Stevens switches again before SD?
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
Theres always one kid per recruiting cycle that takes home the "most indecisive" award. With Stevens a fifth committment this year is a very real possibility.
Have you you forgotten AA?
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
Not at all but I believe he gets the "most drama" award. I give the edge to Stevens bc he committed, decommitted, recommitted, decommitted, commited to another school, decommitted, then committed to a third school in a span of maybe 2 months tops. Going by that I say hes the most indecisive this year.
I think someone finally told him about A&M having 500 recruits.
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
ala Shaq Thompson last year
Looks like James Clark visit may be off, he seems to be liking Clemson
http://ohiostate.247sports.com/Article/Ohio-State-Made-The-Biggest-Impression-On-Corey-Smith-112314
^You can add that to the lineup Gene, Kurelic just dropped an article about Corey Smith... but I can't read it.
de'soto texas' hc is "good/best friends" with our OC. thats music to my ears. Tosu presence in texas ever since meyer took over is crazy. if we land wilson, him and mithcell out of texas can start the texas stud pipeline, and i'm still holding out hope for D. Knox next year i think he secretly loves ohio st but wants his friend with him but i think he realizes what is best for him by nsd if we still pursue him.
O'Deez330
stark county football
Ohio State just offered '15 FL ATH George Campbell from East Lake HS, home to Mason Cole and Artavis Scott. '14 prospects with Ohio State offers.
Per Bill Greene, confirmed Munger cleared the visit with the staff for a free visit to Florida hes all Buckeye nothing to see here anymore.
I understand the free trip thing, but does Munger know about Tallahassee? Seems more like a 'southern Alabama' environment than a 'south beach' environment to me. Guy needs better travel advise, if that is truly what it is about.
Munger's trainer has a relationship with FSU assistant coach Sal Sunseri, made the trip with him.
Whether it's a beach community or not, FSU has some real talent, and I ain't talking about football. I could think of worse places to spend a weekend.
Our wide receiver/playmaker possibilities are getting pretty slim, if we don't come through on any of the Oregon commits, I'm hoping the staff just banks the scholarship for next year. I don't want to take any players out of the "whatever is left basket".
QuadrupleZ
I think Urban has something up his sleeve with the WR's. I can't see him missing out on all of these kids he's pushing for.
What does everyone else thing about this Campbell kid? It looks like he's very fast and moves around well, not to mention he's 6'5! It's a long way away but I think it would be very exciting to see some big athletes on the perimeter in a meyer offense.
Agreed, that was one of the most impressive tapes I've ever seen and the kid is just a sophomore.
I wouldn't cheer for Michigan if they were playing the Taliban.
Updated
Is it just me or has it been too quiet lately?
Maybe I just got used to how crazy things were over the past month in recruiting, but we still have some spots to fill and things seem tepid. They always say where there's smoke, there's fire. But I'm looking for the smoke at this point.
It's hard to make an educated as to how this class is going to end up.
Was thinking the same thing. Check this site several times a day for updates to see what is being talked about in the forum......and it's not much. I trust the staff knows what they are doing!!
How Firm Thy Friendship....
Looks like Timmons isn't as out as everyone had thought.
Actually, it looks like he picked up an offer from Florida a short while ago...
Interesting. None of the profiles on the major recruiting sites show a Florida offer. Who reported it? I saw they had shown interest, but no offer.
Did Drake Harris shrink overnight? He went from 6'3-6'4 to 6'1?
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
they're talking about the new safety commit for MSU
I read today that James Clark is thinking about canceling his UF visit and visiting OSU. Would be nice to steal this kid out of FL. Also, still interested to see what happens with Wilson and the Robinson twins.
Add in 2013 WR Devin Lauderdale who apparently is visiting this weekend, and you have an interesting situation going on right now.
And as I said that, Bill Kurelic from Bucknuts reported that Tom Herman is on his way to visit Oregon's WR commit Darren Carrington in California. This will be an interesting last few weeks until NSD, indeed.
I saw that earlier tonight. I believe Urban is going to work some magic these next 2 weeks. I think we will finish with the #1 or #2 recruiting class in the country.
timmons getting an in-home visit from osu next week? and i got downvoted how badly last week for refusing to believe that ship had sailed as for timmons possibly being a buckeye? perhaps some apologies are in order? also i had read where the courier-journal of louisville had quoted timmons last sunday as saying he cancelled his official visit and i was down voted for that too? quite frankly i think timmons will not be a buckeye, but the down voting for me expressing my opinions were quite out of order. but thats okay.
Since your comment is 99% about you being downvoted in some other thread....I was REALLY tempted to downvote this one.
But maybe I'm in a good mood.
Let that be bro. I will give you an upvote cause what you say is true and you said it nicely. We knew good things would come his way and they are. Genestare reported Fla, Missouri, tOSU, UK and Illini are all coming in for in home visits this week.
Complaining about downvotes= more downvotes.
i was not complaining, just making a factual statement