Quin Blanding announced his commitment to the University of Virginia on Feb 27th at 2:30pmET. With Urban Meyer and tOSU, many feel with is far from a done deal and tOSU still has a legitimate chance at flipping Blanding. Blanding has yet to visit tOSU and has expressed interest in being a leader in his recruiting class. If he does schedule a visit to tOSU, or doesn't become a recruiting leader, it will give validity to tOSU's chances. If not, it will likely show that he will stick with his commitment to UVA. I'll keep you updated with any info that I come across for either case.
UVA, tOSU and FSU were to be the likely schools to land Blanding. Recently ago Rivals was reporting that tOSU was in the lead. Blanding was also supposed to schedule a trip to tOSU. FSU has been reported as Blanding's childhood favorite. According to Blandings 247Sports Timeline he has not visited either tOSU or FSU and has unofficially visited UVA six times.
Bucks Insider article ($) Urban Meyer Is Key to Snagging 5-Star 2014 DB Quin Blanding
LGHL article (free): Quin Blanding announcement: 2014 5-star to choose from final 3
LGHL article (free): Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets 2/21 - Quin Blanding to announce, two new offers
@bestweezyfans WVU,UVA,OSU, ND,NCSTATE,UNC, Michigan,the U,FSU, Clemson
— Fame (@theOPERATOR_7) February 20, 2013
Blanding message:
Five-star safety Quin Blanding says he’ll announce his college choice on Feb. 27 at 2:30 p.m. #UVa target is No. 4 overall in the #Rivals100
— Brad Franklin (@Cavs_Corner) February 20, 2013
Reports a week ago:
Rivals saying that Buckeyes are widely considered to lead for 5* DB Quin Blanding. Big news
— BuckeyeInfo (@BuckeyeInfo) February 13, 2013
Last year Marc Givler had this to say about Blanding (when talking about '13 and '14 recruits):
#Buckeyes make the cut for 2014 S Quin Blanding. Best safety in the nation regardless of class in my opinion ohiostate.rivals.com/content.asp?CI…
— Marc Givler (@MarcGivlerBG) November 1, 2012
Jr. Highlights:
Full Ride Interview and Highlights:
NUC - 5 Star Showcase East - NJ 2012 - Quin Blanding - DB MVP - National Underclassmen:
Odds that he doesnt pick UVa?
Guess we find out soon enough where we stand with this kid. My guess is he likes OSU, but if he commits next week he's not a buckeye.
Future Buckeye.
It was reported a week ago that we were "widely" in the lead for him, was that erroneous? If not, you gotta think the Nation gets stronger on the 27th.
I think you're thinking of Jalen Hurd. With Blanding, it's been speculated that OSU may have an edge, but the confidence is marginal at best, and I don't think an early decision bodes well.
This post was made here by Derek Young last week:
Sounds like the confidence is a little more than marginal. Wonder if that little birdie is still telling Derek the same things.
I remember last week both 247 and Rivals saying that their sources from people close to FSU and from people close to Blanding indicated that OSU led for Quin. The selling point for Blanding was OSU and Meyer's history with defensive backs.
A little concerning that he hasn't visited, but this is recent information. We will see where we stand soon enough.
Here is Rivals article, from Michael L. at Warchant.com
I agree. There's reason for optimism but its hard to see a guy committing without visiting (Marcus Baugh was the exception, not the norm).
Saturday, that only says if Blanding visits. so far he has not, so the confidence doesn't hold water. What Derek said was base purely on the fact if Blanding is visiting. Maybe it will come true, who knows but as of now any confidence based on an unofficial cannot be "more than marginal".
I trust what Derek says but that is purely speculation. I think Blanding would commit without a visit, I just don't think the timing is fitting what has been speculated. Just seems too soon either way. This one could still be a while whether he says UVA or OSU.
EDIT: LOL, well he still hasn't visited 6 days later but I can see how my view point is too late for this convo.
Wait, he attends Bayside?
Has he scheduled a visit to OSU?
Doesn't sound good considering he hasn't visited but then again neither did Marcus Baugh . Here's to hoping for a gray box!!
The good news is, if he goes elsewhere we still have many other great options at safety.
watching his highlights he had some of the easiest int's i've ever seen those qb's were horrible
Word last week was that we led and he was trying to visit soon. I'm surprised he's announcing so soon without visiting unless he plans on making a surprise visit his weekend.
You have to believe though that if we have any kind of shot at him that Meyer convinces him to visit before he announces.
hmmm.... this one is interesting..... hmmmm. Will be fun to see where he ends up
will uva rumored to join the big 10 help or hurt us?
will uva rumored to join the big 10 help or hurt us?
Mike Farrell tweeted he thinks UVA leads today
According to Rivals he hasn't been on any visits. I assume that just means he hasn't done any OVs?
http://247sports.com/Player/Quin-Blanding-11884/TimelineEvents
This shows a timeline of his recruitment. I'm sure it's not 100% complete, but according to this he's been on 5 unofficial visits to UVA and 2 or 3 (including camping) at UNC.
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
Does anybody think that if he announces somewhere other than OSU that Urban will stop recruiting him or on the flip side if he announces OSU that other coaches will stop recruiting him? There's a long way till signing day and as we know a lot can happen in 11 months.
The best thing is that no matter where he chooses I don't see Urban giving up on this. UVA/Florida St./OSU doesn't matter. This staff doesn't stop recruiting a player until they sign their name on a LOI.
Not exactly. Urban will recruit him as long as he doesn't object. If Blanding commits somewhere else and says "I don't want any more calls" Meyer will oblige.
Lets just hope that he does not take that road, provided he commits somewhere other than tOSU... hopefully not though
Blanding has seemed like the kind of guy who'll stick to his first decision.
I think it's UVA. I'd love to be wrong though.
He will oblige to the extent that he isn't going to push relentlessly for him but from what I have heard/seen of his recruiting efforts he always like to try and keep a relationship open. You never know what might happen to a school/recruit to change down the road (See Wilson, Dontre for example)
With no visit to OSU,I'm inclined to think UVA is his leader now!! But guys change their minds in a blink of an eye.The no visit worries me though.
SCOTTC.
Marcus Baugh committed to OSU without taking a visit until well after his verbal commitment so maybe Quin Blanding will follow suit. I'm going to disregard the no visit and go with the rumors I heard on here last week. A lot of you guys plus the staff (Derek in this case) seem to be pretty spot on most of the time so I'll guess Buckeye.
Champions Bleed Scarlet & Gray
Looks UVA to me. Another case of a kid wanting to play for the home team. No hard feelings if that's the case. It shouldn't come as a shock to staff either since we loaded up on dbs in '13 and are chasing peppers, smith, nicholson, lattimore, brown...I'll will be thrilled with any combo of those guys and feel confident we land a combo of those guys. Just the same, expect the haters to cue the 'Zach Smith can't close in VA' nonsense in 3...2...
sfgoods
Situation reminds me of Adam Breneman in the '13 class, who ultimately stayed home with Penn State, but announced at about this same time last year. It was good to know early and we ended up with Baugh, whom I think we're all pretty damned happy about. Breneman, of course, visited Columbus before announcing, but with this year's deep, deep DB class, again we'll know where we stand sooner rather than later (go elsewhere or continue to recruit). I don't think this is a make-or-breaker for this class either way, but it would be great to have him.
Updated: Logistics of announcement and full list of schools (no SEC schools in his top/final 10).
If it's anyone but Virginia I will be surprised. I don't think he will stay solid to them. Urban needs to get him up here for a visit.
How funny would it be if a surprise visitor was in town this weekend? Lol
I would be shocked if this kid goes anywhere other than UVA. This kid lives 3 hours away from campus and has visited Virginia 6 times. I would love to see him in S&G but it's just not going to happen.
People thought the same thing about Vonn Bell to Bama for the same reason. I do think he goes with UVa, but more because he hasn't visited OSU and less because of the number of time he's visited UVa.
His friend/former high school teammate and top-tier RB from 2013 Tyquan Mizzell just signed with UVA, as well as a couple other of his old high school teammates play there. I think this plus the number of visits = UVA
Heard that he wanted to be near the C'ville County Jail so he won't have to travel so far to bail Smoke out
The one thing that helps OSU is the timing. Seems strange that he would commit to us without visiting, but also strange that, after supposedly leading for him all of a sudden, he wouldn't even visit and NOT commit to us.
I'm going with Virginia I do hope I'm wrong just like in Bell's recruitment but Vonn came up for a visit Quin had a chance to come up for Friday night lights but passed for whatever reason.
When someone shows you who they are believe them! In other words piss a good friend off and see what they really think about you.
Updated: Free LGHL article on Blanding
The video about his relationship with that Virginia player is telling to me.
Here's a pic of Blanding with UVA QB commit Corwin Cutler:
Buckeye, especially if Farrell says otherwise.
Farrell called Bell to OSU
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
Farrell flip flopped on that about 20 times....
+1 He did flip! He had the Buckeyes for a while and then on Feb 2nd said the Vols and then on the 4th said trending back to Buckeyes, but it was a "roller coaster", on the 5th he said the thought Bell and his fam were just telling Vols and Bucks what they wanted to hear, on the 6th he said he was "sticking" with the his Buckeyes prediction. I'm not too sure about his timeline before the 2nd.
I don't like this comment being made time and time again. Farrell has never said "here is my final prediction for the year" for anyone in any class. All he does is simply relay information based on each players constantly changing recruiting landscape. If his sources give him reason to believe something has changed, then he will change his "prediction." I don't know why people are looking for a prophet, rather than a relayer of information. If he "flip-flops" than so does Alex, JC Shurburtt, Wiltfong, Greene, Kurelic, etc.
If he does commit to UVA, I still think he takes a visit here. He tweeted a few weeks ago that the one school he absolutely HAD to visit was Ohio State
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
It's not over till they sign on the dotted line. Ask Lawrence Marshall, Tony Stevens, Alex Anzalone, Dontre Wilson, the list goes on haha. As others have said, even with a UVA commit next Wednesday, don't think for a second that Meyer won't still be calling him, angling for Quin to "visit and give it a shot." Which is frankly why Meyer is one of, if not the, best in the business. It's not over till it's over.
Would love to get Blanding if for no other reason than to have a big-name 5* recruit leading the charge for our class. Safety isn't a huge area of need given Bell, Thompson (and likely Burrows moved from CB) in 2013.
Only difference is Blanding is on record saying he wants to commit early and recruit for his school. Typically a recruit who is recruiting other top prospects doesn't tend to waiver very much
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
That's a perfectly fair point, Triv. Although I feel like every recruit says they're going to recruit for their school -- Marcelys Jones did, and he's currently weighing other options, making other visits (though I think he sticks with OSU in the end); Lawrence Marshall essentially said the same (Demarre Kitt said that he was recruiting him for OSU) and days after decommitted. There are certainly a percentage of recruits who stick with their commitments, but they seem to becoming rarer and rarer.
I guess the one difference I could see with Blanding is the hometown connection, and that apparently he has a lot of friends and family at UVA. That kind of thing could hold someone to a commitment. The other thing I wonder about, is how important is Mike London on Blanding's decision, if at all? I've heard a lot of talk about him being on the hot seat the last year or so after a sub .500 record to this point. I haven't followed Blanding's recruitment very closely though, London may not have much impact on it at all, hopefully you or someone else know more about that.
someone above mentioned marcus baugh, and i think that is very note worthy. baugh was a big time commitment, and he committed without visiting. we are all buckeye fans, we understand the urge to suit up for the good guys. not to mention i would never could out UFM
+1 I think that it's a great point! One might think that with him visiting UVA so many times he might me going there, however if there is validity to all the murmur going on last week of tOSU leading so much, he may have seen enough at UVA and knows he want to be a Buckeye just like Baugh.
I just wouldn't count on it guys.
Baugh is the exception, not the norm.
If this were an Ohio guy who hadn't visited yet I could see that he might commit because he would have been around OSU and OSU fans his whole life.
Blanding most likely hasn't.
I'm not saying his recruitment is over, just don't expect him to pick OSU next week. But if he does, than WOOHOO!
It could be the new norm with Urban.
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
Yea if what I read on bucknuts board is correct he's a done deal to UVA. I read that he has teammates going to Virginia and a few already there Mizzell being one of those players and ppl keep saying don't count Meyer out I never do but actually it's all on the recruit depending if he shuts it down or not.
When someone shows you who they are believe them! In other words piss a good friend off and see what they really think about you.
VA has to be attractive to a safety recruit. Hundred of solo tackles to be had with that D
Cavs get this one. However, I would love to be wrong.
I thought for sure after reading Tennessee boards that Vonn Bell was a Vol, but I was wrong. After reading UVA boards they are saying the same things about Blanding. When a kid takes numerous visits to an instate school it doesn't mean much considering the recruits family has to pay for unofficial visits. If I remember right Vonn Bell visited UT a few times as well and from the outside looking in it seemed like UFM had to beg him to visit TOSU. I would love to see a back end of Eli Apple, Jabrill Peppers, Vonn Bell and Quinn Blanding in a couple years. But I guess if he goes to UVA we'll never see him again. it takes more than 2 or 3 impact players to compete where TOSU wants to compete. Unless they join the Big Ten with the rest of the nation!
Bell visited OSU prior to the "tenn lock" commentary.
But unofficially visited UT a few times is what I'm talking about. I was making the comparison about how they are all still on the unofficial visit stage of recruiting.
I just don't see why all of that news about us leading would come up, just to have him choose UVA a week later without ever stepping on campus. It doesn't make sense that he wouldn't even give urban and the staff and chance to get him to Columbus after speaking so highly of them. That is unless he's very sold on UVA and sees something there?
I'm seeing he announces for UVA next week,
and Urban has a whole year (after a visit or two) to flip him right before NSD.
Updated: LGHL artilce (free): Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets 2/21 - Quin Blanding to announce, two new offers
STAFF.Alex,Derek, any word on Blanding visiting UFM?
He can announce to UVA next week if he wants but I say its "game on" if we can get him on campus after that. I trust Urban can make that happen. I don't see blazing speed but enough to gain 20lbs and be an outstanding All American SS or OLB @OSU.
Given that he is very adamant that he wants to recruit for the team he commits too, I'd say he will probably commit to UVA and stay solid with it. Can't fault a kid for staying close to home and going to college with friends he's developed good relationships with.
Would absolutely love to eat crow here, however
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
Very interesting...if we do indeed lead for his services, then that's certainly quite a few visits to UVA to somehow overcome. Then again, UFM is a somewhat decent recruiter ;)
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
I'm still wondering who at Rivals said we were leading for him last week, where they got that information, and whether they're sticking by that claim -- as it seems like the other sites, and even Mike Farrell AT Rivals, thinks it's far and away UVA. In fact, a few sites have said recently that they don't even see OSU as close competition. Doesn't seem like anyone's taking credit for the "OSU lead" info or standing by it.
It was Farrell I believe and he cited inside sources from both FSU and UVA. Also 247s FSU site was saying similar things.
However with him announcing so this early I don't like our chances.
Ahhh, good call Hayze! Now that you mention it, I believe Langston at Warchant (writer for Rivals' FSU site) was the one commonly being cited for the OSU-lead. Just checked his twitter and he says UVA now as well.
JBook tweeted calling his prediction a "wet fart" (lol), and Langston replied by saying OSU was "just what he was hearing at the time," but that he now believes Blanding is UVA.
Was having a tough time believing Blanding was coming between the 2013 DB class and Webb already on board for 2014... With Lattimore hopefully in the mix for 2014 as well, OSU will be just fine!
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
Updated: Announcement time (expected to be 2:30pmET 2/27)
The smoke that we led for him is an attempt to add some drama to his announcement IMO. He has always been UVA, hasn't even bothered to visit anyone else. Really no drama to this announcement at all. Good luck at UVA.
damn man, hold out some hope, thats what makes following recruiting fun. i am not gonna be surprised if he picks ohio state. Urban meyer wasnt even expecting what happened getting bell, wilson and clark.
I don't believe it was made up. Blown a little out of proportion? Probably. But it was both FSU and UVA sources citing the same thing (the two who were/are thought to be the leaders).
He also did tweet a month ago something to the effect of "I have to visit OSU before I decide" so this certainly wasn't something that was out of the blue.
He says he wants to commit early so he can help recruit his class. Who does he think he's going to help recruit to go to Virginia? Forgetting for a moment I am a buckeye fan, kids go to these big time programs not just because they play for titles, but because the coaches are the best in the country and the develop these kids to be the best they can be.
People would probably have said the same thing about Ole Miss about a year ago (maybe even like 3 months ago). I've always liked UVA, though. It's a highly respectable institution and has had some pretty decent stretches over the years. It's closer to home for him, as well. With recruiting, I just have to remember that it's often a lot more than just the football aspect that these kids are considering.
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
OR, some kids chose a school for location, academics, and other factors and see the athletics as secondary...
The state of Virginia is absolutely LOADED this year. 3 5*'s, 7 4*s according to Rivals in Virginia this year alone. If he commits to Virginia, by his thinking maybe he can sway a couple of people that way (Hand, Brown, Reavis, Holmes, etc) and if they pick up even half of those guys they have a class that resembles Ole Miss from 2013. Hate to say it, but he's not completely wrong there.
I'm going to say he commits to UVA, but we win at least a Rose Bowl if not the national title and he flips to OSU on NSD. Just my opinion.
I couldn't agree less. You just rarely see a kid commit to the home school early, claim he wants to recruit for that school, has HS teammates on that team, and then flip on NSD.
Just doesn't happen.
We need this kid!!
I would like to have this kid, but a need is a stretch. Don't forget about Burrows and Bell.
I take it there is not going to be a link or anything? Anyone have info on a potential link to distract me from my job?
UVA
Update: As expected, Blanding just committed to Virginia.
damn you UVA, although I am playing with them on my online dynasty, this does not help me at all
Blanding commits to UVA. Shocker.
On to the next.
"It all goes so fast, and character makes the difference when it's close."
Jesse Owens
Oh I don't think so. I think we stay on this guy. Some national recruiting folks calling this guy a legit 5*, top 20 player in the class. With 11 months, I bet our staff continues as if today doesn't mean anything.
Hope you are right. I was just saying that when all is said and done the 2014 class will be phenomenal, whether Quin is on board or not. Something special is happening in Columbus and finding great prospects won't be a problem.
"It all goes so fast, and character makes the difference when it's close."
Jesse Owens
Blanding says Ohio State was second, I don't think this one is over. Meyer gets him on campus, it will be far from over.
Even if we don't get Blanding eventually, if he draws Hand to Virginia (and away from Michigan), I'll consider it a victory.
It would be a big-time draw as Hand is considered to have VaTech as his #1 right now. UVA isn't currently in his top 7.
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
He'll be a Buckeye after the season is over.
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
Couldn't agree more @LLJJGG
However, Like Gene stated, if and when Meyer gets him on campus, I think that puts the good guys in a position for "the spatula" to flip another!
pat cozzens
Agree with you completely. With Meyer and crew, I never consider it a done deal until he signs on the dotted line.
I should say, apparently UVA is not in Hand's top 5 (for some reason I was thinking they were -- maybe they were at one point). I'd still like to see Blanding do work on Hand though if he's not going to end up at OSU, at least that'd help us in an indirect way.
I'm going to say after we blow up NCAA football this year, he will reconsider and end up a Buckeye. We are going to make big strides at OSU this year and shut all the haters up. Particularly the SEC haters.
Everyone who knows Urban and this staff...If Urban wants him, it isn't OVER.... We may ultimately NOT get him (Dymonte Thomas, Alex Anzalone, etc...) but it will NOT be for a lack of trying... I LOVE THIS COACHING STAFF!!!
"You're pissed because we went after a committed guy? Guess what, we got nine guys who better go do it again. Do it a little harder next time." -- Urban Frank Meyer -- I LOVE THIS DUDE!! :)
We don't really need Blanding so I hope Urban moves on to the next highest guy on the board and not neglect other targets that are interested in us by trying to flip a commited guy.
When someone shows you who they are believe them! In other words piss a good friend off and see what they really think about you.
I think Urban takes one safety in this class (Nicholson, Kelly, or whoever) and then continues pursuing Blanding as the only other safety we would take. Blanding is the top of prospect who can be an impact player from day 1, and I hope Urban doesn't give up, especially after he said we were number two without ever visiting
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
Yea If Urban goes about it like that then fine but if he's still higher than some of the other safety prospects I don't think that's a good idea.
When someone shows you who they are believe them! In other words piss a good friend off and see what they really think about you.
With Safety not really being a priority in this class (brought in 4 guys who could potentially play S in 2013 class: Bell, Thompson, Lee, Burrows) I have no problem with Urban still making Blanding his top target. I actually don't think Urban should target a safety outside of Blanding, Nicholson, and Kelly, but that's why he's the coach and I'm the one posting on 11W
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
I'm not saying we flip Blanding, but I don't think you publicly say "OSU was second" unless you're still somewhat considering them. I expect us to at least get a visit
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
Gotta wonder if Virginia has another poor season, and Mike London gets the boot -- which many thought would happen at the end of last season -- whether that affects Blanding's decision as well.
He has all his official visits left and UVA was like 4-8 last year and I think one of those wins was Ficken's game from hell. I'd press this dude a little bit, and I'm sure we will.
Get him on campus and show him what real football is like.
The postgame show is brought to you by... Christ, I can't find it. The hell with it...
All 2014 prospects have all of their official visits left. They are not allowed to do officials until their frst day as a senior.
Would love to have the guy, but I think it's safe to say we have a lot of other great options at safety. Good luck to him at UVA.
Virginia's 2013 schedule...
Sat 8/31 BYU - toss up
Sat 9/07 Oregon - L
Sat 9/14 OPEN
Sat 9/21 VMI - W
Sat 9/28 @ Pitt - toss up
Sat 10/05 Ball State - W
Sat 10/12 @ Maryland - toss up
Sat 10/19 Duke - W
Sat 10/26 Georgia Tech - L
Sat 11/02 Clemson - L
Sat 11/09 @ UNC - W
Sat 11/16 OPEN
Sat 11/23 @ Miami - toss up
Sat 11/30 Va Tech - L
I have 'em at 4 W's, 4 L's, and 4 toss ups. Figure they probably go 6-6, but could just as easily go 5-7.
I would add Duke and UNC to the toss up category, maybe even L (seeing how they got absolutely destroyed by both teams last year)
I think they are looking at 5-7 as a best case scenario
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite