St. Ignatius LB Kyle Berger tells me he made the trip down to Columbus this past weekend. Berger did not see the coaches, but rather went down to visit with former teammate, TE Blake Thomas, and spent time with all of the players throughout the weekend.
Berger has been to OSU a number of times, so it appears he wanted to just get a better sense of how he would fit in with the players on the team if he decided to choose the Buckeyes. He was at Michigan last weekend and had a great visit there, and would like to visit other programs like Stanford, Tennessee, Michigan State, and others before deciding in May.
I still like the Bucks' chances to land this four-star prospect and I think the biggest threat will be Brady Hoke and the Wolverines.
Thanks for the update, Alex.
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
Would it really hurt us if we were to miss out on this kid? I mean with the guys we have now will it really matter? I know depth is the key factor here, but with the class we just signed we will have some depth, IF everyone pans out.. I'm also afraid this may have an effect on the other 2014 lb's we are going after.. Just my thoughts..
It would hurt, Berger is an excellent pass rushing LB
You could say the above about any recruit. No single guy makes or breaks a class, or team. However, it's an early offer to an Ohio kid, and I for one do not want to lose him, especially to Michigan.
Never said it would make or break the class but it would hurt to lose one of the best pass rushing LBs in your own back yard
I agree with you. My comment was directed at wezbuck above you.
It wouldn't kill us in terms of the fact that we'd be able to get someone of equal talent. For those that want to keep the best of Ohio in the state, I think this is a must get.
Berger is a tremendous player who I think still has a lot of potential to reach and is only just touching that now. Kid will be a baller in college and I'd rather see him in scarlet and gray than in maize and blue.
Yes, it would hurt us to miss out on Berger. He is arguably the best pure LB prospect in the state and Michigan has snagged Bolden and Gedeon the last 2 years. You can't let that become a trend.
Don;t forget Michael Ferns in 2014 too, as well as Mike McCray this past year...Jake Ryan from Iggy is very good for UM too
With no disrespect I like Mitchell and Johnson more than Gedeon,Bolden or Ferns.IMO
@OSUNATHEN: Exactly my thought. Michigan is building a Tressel-era team (talented enough to win the occasional B1G title, take the sure bets in Ohio/local talent, "family" atmosphere, it's enough to get to a bowl game), OSU is building a Nat'l Title team (national talent, true mean streak, team first, winning matters) imo.
There isn't one player from Ohio that Michigan got last year that I'd trade for the national talent we pulled in. Players like Vonn Bell, Trey Johnson, Joey Bosa, Dontre Wilson, Marcus Baugh, Michael Hill, Eli Apple, etc from all over the country are the types you need to win Nat'l Titles consistently.
Just to be fair, OSU had NC teams and contenders winning a ridiculous amount of Big Ten Titles with that level of talent. UM's talent is nothing to sniff at, they have had some good recruiting hauls. I just don't think their coaching staff is good enough to take advantage of that.
I'm not a Tressel hater by any means, he did great things for OSU (aside from the violation mess). He brought us a national title, which I'm certainly thankful for, but one could argue that that was with Cooper's recruits -- and what we're talking about here is recruiting, which is why I mention it. Doesn't make him any less of a great coach (perhaps even makes him a better one), just can't use that title to validate his recruiting style.
Outside of that title with Cooper's recruits, he went 5-3 in bowl games. A very good record by any standard. We beat the teams we should have beaten (KSU, OkSt, Oregon, Arkansas, ND), lost to the top tier teams (FLA, LSU, Texas) in bowl games. That to me is Michigan's trajectory -- which is not a bad one by any means. But I don't think Meyer's going to be happy with beating the the 2nd tier teams and performing well in ancillary bowl games. Meyer's mission as it seems clear to us all, is for OSU to win titles and settle for nothing less -- and to do that I don't think he's going to be happy with settling for good Midwestern talent alone. Just my 2 cents, I don't mind any downvotes that may come my way for it. As mentioned, I loved Tressel as a coach and still do. I just don't see him in quite the same league as Meyer personally. Going to 3 Nat'l Title games is NOTHING to sneeze at. I personally like Meyer's national approach better, even if it angers some local coaches. I think it'll bear better fruit down the line.
Edit: Not sure why someone gave you a downvote STEENSN.
One can argue that we don't win a 2002 National Championship without Maurice Clarett. The only reason Clarett came to tOSU was because of Tressel.
@OSU07ASU10: That's a very good point, and one that hadn't occurred to me! Is Tressel really the only reason Clarett attended OSU? I don't remember much of his recruitment. You would think as a consensus 5* anyone coaching OSU would have recruited him heavily, and that as an Ohio kid he would have at least considered us. I do agree that Clarett was a crucial part of that season, though. A difference maker in just about every game. He played like a man among boys, despite being a Freshman.
If I remember correctly, Clarett was looking to/committed to ND, looking to enroll early. Tressel becomes coach and 3 DAYS later, he's a buckeye.
Hold up now let's think about this, IF we were not on probation this year and we would have won the national championship would we be saying you know those were actually Tressels recruits not Urbans? No we would be talking about how great of a coach Urban is. Come on guys it is the coach that gets the most out of these kids. Enough of the Tressel hate.
+1
I just want to point out that 4 of those 5 bowl wins with his own recruits were BCS bowls. Aaaaaaaand that 2 of the three losses were in BCS National Championship Games (the other loss a last second one against Texas in a BCS bowl).
Yeah that's pretty incredible and if Hoke does that under Michigan that probably means that we aren't doing as well as we think we will.
I hate this idea that we need to label either Meyer's approach or Tressel's approach better, because the reality is that they are operating in different times. Tressel didn't need to leave the Midwest AT ALL because Michigan and ND were both down and he could win pretty much any battle he wanted against the two. I think in your head you're counting Midwest Talent as being Ohio talent and not national talent. Tress got big contributions from Malcolm Jenkins (NJ), James Laurinitus (MN), all of Pennsylvania, etc.
Meyer's approach to recruiting is that he can get anyone, anywhere and he definitely casts a wider net nationally then Tressel, but to a degree he has too with the resurgence of those two programs, as well as the SEC as a whole getting a recruiting boost from their conference's dominance.
Just to be fair, OSU had NC teams and contenders winning a ridiculous amount of Big Ten Titles with that level of talent. UM's talent is nothing to sniff at, they have had some good recruiting hauls. I just don't think their coaching staff is good enough to take advantage of that.
I feel like the only advantage UM got in recruiting the last few years has been on the Offensive line and I don't see any serious playmaking threats going up north except maybe D. Green. I like what we got and I like the speed we are bringing in. The rest of the B1G better get fast real quick because we r bringing it!
But would it matter as much if Ohio State lands McMillan, Garrett, and Booker?
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
Somewhat curious to me as to why the coaches wouldn't meet with him or he vice versa. I would feel like Urban and staff would use any chance they had with a potential recruit on campus, official or unofficial
Perhaps he wanted to focus on the team?
I didn't get that but they may have been out of town/unavailable...the vibe I got from Kyle was this was a visit to go see his friend Blake and spend time with the players....he had a great time getting to know some guys, so mission accomplished ---who's to say Urban didn't want it that way :)
Whether coaches are recruiting on the road or sitting in the WHAC....why is it so strange to have present players assist in recruiting Berger (either on an official visit or not)??? They have players take recruits around and help them have a good experience while on campus. This look familiar below...???
"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
I never said I find it strange that current players assist with the recruiting of potential commits, think that is an excellent idea. It just struck me odd that they didn't meet with him, but I like the way Alex makes it sound, and different approaches for different players.
BTW, that picture of Braxton with Dontre is in a coach's office at the WHAC, so that doesn't completely support your notion that Braxton was taking Dontre around campus, especially since it is known that his player host was JT Barrett, who delivered a memorable speech to him about the value of being a buckeye.
Well...I wasn't choosing just your comment to base mine off of. Not to mention the pic was the only one I could find. I know it's in Urban's office...however...that is in the WHAC correct??? The coaches don't always take the recruits around campus...that was my point.
If you read this like I did, it seems as if you're saying Urban should have met with him. It wasn't an official or unofficial...or he would have. It was to visit Blake....I knew this before Alex stated it....which was why I said what I did about the recruits...my point to you and others was the coaches don't always have to be involved...that was all. Have a good one dude.
"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
You like to punctuate with authority...don't you????
And you responded to my original comment, so if you weren't responding to that, you have an innate and amazing ability to randomly click on a comment and coherently speak to its subject matter, knowingly or not.
I knew why he was visiting in the first place...that's why I said what I did. Alex told you with this thread...I knew before (which if you scroll up...you'll see...I was responding to him...not you). Not always does that happen but if I'm not mistaken...we're not to give up paid info...I was just following rules and not saying where or when I heard about it (meaning Kyle in Columbus to see Blake and other players too). At the same time pointing out...there's no reason to wonder why the coaches weren't in the picture. Thought I made that clear but apparently not...sorry for offending you (because obviously I did) with my random click on your comment and coherently speaking to the subject matter, knowingly...or not(...in this case...not).
"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
You...didn't offend...me...don't...worry!!!
Cool...I'm glad....I....didn't....offend....you:-)!!!!!!!
"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
I think the kid ends up a Buckeye. Urban wants him and he's an Ohio boy.
to me an ohio boy, while usually a good thing, is NEVER a sure thing
Alex, there's been a lot of speculation on this board that Berger might be headed to michigan. It seems to me that much of that is just a hunch based on guys like Bolden, Gedeon, and Ferns. What is your take on the Berger situation right now? What kind of impression did michigan make on him, and do you see a clear leader for Berger right now?
I think they made a great impression, but I think OSU still leads. Michigan is a clear #2. I think this weekend, spending time with the players, definitely helped the Buckeyes' cause.
As long as Urban plays his cards right, Berger is a Buckeye by the end of May, which is his plan as of now.
Being close with current players who have seen The Game first hand, I'd think it would be hard for the kid to pick UM.
Thanks Alex....I seem to remember some guys talking about the fact that Thomas at OSU may be just as valuable as Ryan at TTUN. This news seems to solidify that...thanks again for the info;-)
"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
I can't seem to find any video on this kid? Can anyone help me out?
With a name that sounds like food, you know Hoke is trying his hardest to get him at Michigan. Just ask Taco.
Hes in the bag
What bag?
@Alex any insight on Berger returning to watch spring practice at all? I feel like once he sees the Bucks up close and personal he will be ready to commit.
I would imagine he'll be at a spring practice, all depends on his hoops schedule. Right now the only visit he has booked is to Tennessee in late March. He told me it depends when his season ends for hoops on other trips, but Columbus is just a couple hour drive.
For some reason, I'm getting the Jimmy Byrne feeling with Kyle Berger...
The 2012 National Champions.
The difference is that Byrne never really seemed all that high on OSU. He seemed like he ws all ND from the start. Berger on the other hand seems to be quite high on OSU. Sure he could end up at UM, but he's also high on OSU.
Totally, you're absolutely correct. I said that because I never thought Byrne was going to be a Buckeye and that's how I've felt about Berger all along, fwiw.
The 2012 National Champions.
Great stuff thanks Alex. How many LBs do you see us taking this class? I see were high on Berger, Booker, Garrett, and McMillian so far. I don't see us getting all 4 but at least 2 of them
Does the staff consider Booker a future LEO? If they do, then OSU takes 3 LBs in McMillian, Garrett and Berger
Stay golden, Ponyboy.
Berger is more of a LEO then Booker, Berger is alot like Jake Ryan from scUM except better
better than ryan was in high school, definitely. he was an under the radar guy. if osu gets berger and he ends up being better than jake ryan now, then he'll have the sam spot all locked up. love or hate him, jake ryan is an animal
I hate him (for going to scUM, not as a person), but it is very hard to deny the fact that he is very athletically gifted.
perhaps, but i'm still irked that he couldn't catch braxton, so he kicked/ tripped him.
WB
not many people can catch braxton, can you blame him? although I agree, so, in essence, yea, you can blame him, haha
Maybe you guys see something I don't, but I'm not all that impressed with Kyle Berger's highlights. I don't see too many big hits, and I have no idea how Scout has him ranked higher than Raekwon McMillan. But that is just my opinion
Scout being scout.
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
I tend to agree with you. I hate to use this phrase, but Raekwon McMillan looks every bit your prototypical SEC LB. He is better at point of impact and filling gaps than any LB recruit I've seen in the 2014 class (Kain Daub is the only one I've seen that's comparable in terms of all-around intangibles). If we pick up McMillan and miss on Berger I wouldn't sweat it for a single second personally -- though obviously I'd like to have both. McMillan has a lot of Reuben Foster in him imo, without the personality issues. I wouldn't be surprised if his stock only continues to rise.
It's way more about making the correct reads, being in position and making sure tackles vs the big hits we all like to see in these video.
Hawk, and Laurinaitis didn't blow people up like Katzenmoyer but they were smarter and better tacklers.
D. Anthony
Yeah but if you watch the highlights, he's not making great reads. He sees the play way late and he's running all the way across the field to make a tackle
Looks like Kyle is visiting ScUM again this weekend. I'm hoping he's visiting so that he can confirm his choice of OSU is the right call and he's just being diligent. We shall see though as his decision is scheduled for April.
He was going to be in Michigan for an Army bowl interview regardless. However, it has been confirmed that he will stop in Ann Arbor on Saturday to watch one of our Spring practices.
Really tough to read what's going on. You guys have every right to have the upmost confidence in landing him, while everything that's happened with him and Michigan this past month has been trending way up.
Some Michigan insiders think it is a legitimate tie at the top right now, while the OSU insiders still maintain OSU as his leader, but are seemingly less optimistic than before.
No matter what happens, we will find out soon, and I will be interested to hear why he picks one school over the other.
I don't know much about Berger, but if he has great instincts, we'd be crazy not to get him. Other than Shazier, that is what our LB's seem to be currently lacking. That is why Boren could step in and succeed immediately. While not a MLB right now (200lbs), he could pull an A.J. Hawk and start on the outside early and then move to the middle.
I love Urban's recruiting approach when it comes to speed. The only area it concerns me in is with the LB's. A guy can mask a lack of instincts with a ton of speed at the high school level. Losing out on OH LB's (Gedeon, Bolden, and Ferns) is a concern to me because Ohio high school football seems to produce more LB's with instincts (Spielman, Hawk, and Carpenter to name a few). Hopefully Mitchell and Johnson combine both speed and instincts together.
with mcmillan and a few other higher ranked LB targets deciding later, would the staff even accept a commitment from berger this early? maybe just to keep michigan from getting him? i'd have to think people would be pissed if mcmillan wanted to announce for osu at his all american game and berger or someone else less heralded had his spot
Regardless of Berger's commitment Raekwon will be allowed to commit to OSU whenever he wants too. Same goes for Garrett and Booker. None of those 3 will be turned away should they want to commit
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
Just curious, and I mean no harm by this, but was the back and forth between Berger and McMillan on twitter over McMillan's ACT score discussed over here?
Do you guys feel it's an issue?
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
Seemed a little odd, but Berger dismissed to Raekwon on twitter that he was not talking about him. I think its a non-issue and Berger could've been talking about someone at his school. It'll be interesting to see if Berger visits in Early April same weekend Raekwon does and how that goes, probably get a better idea of if it is actually an issue or not.
Favorite Buckeye: Obviously BJ Mullens
For those of us that don't have twitter and/or follow these high schoolers, would you mind informing us on this discussion?
I was late to the party, but something to the effect of: McMillan posted something about how he was happy to have gotten a 20 on his ACT. I guess Berger said something like a 20 is very impressive (with some other fillers). I guess there was a little bickering between the two and people were discussing potential issues if they ended up being future teammates.
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
Didn't know it happened, interesting. I'm sure they'd get over it...
Michigan wanting Berger has nothing to do with OSU taking Berger. In my opinion just by the staff being the first to offer Berger(usually don't offer Ohio kids if they aren't in a position to take them) and their actions from an outside perspective to be pursuing him very actively, tell me Berger is a take at anytime he would want to commit.
Favorite Buckeye: Obviously BJ Mullens
I think there's no doubt we'd accept his commitment. He's a player