This past year featured a number of memorable moments as the Buckeyes continued to build top recruiting classes for 2016 and 2017. Here are our choices for what stood out the most.
11. RESHUFFLING RUNNING BACKS
Running back recruiting started out with a bang as Kareem Walker—the nation's top-ranked back—committed to Ohio State during halftime of the College Football Playoff Championship. Questions about the Buckeyes' future depth chart began to arise and ultimately things just went sour between the two parties
Even before the Walker decommit went public, the Buckeyes set their sights on another talented tailback. Antonio Williams—the No. 6 running back in the country—flipped his commitment from Wisconsin to Ohio State after officially visiting in October. Williams will be enrolling early and could be battling Mike Weber for playing time next season.
O-H! #29Days #ColumbusBound pic.twitter.com/Og6PBgAuBI
— Antonio Williams (@A_B_Williams34) December 9, 2015
10. SIGNING DAY FLIPS
With Urban Meyer at the helm, the recruiting process really gets interesting in the months leading up to national signing day, and the 2015 class was no exception. In December of 2014, K.J. Hill and Isaiah Prince were mere pipe dreams for the Buckeyes, but a late push was enough to sway the two four-star prospects to Columbus.
Prince committed to the Crimson Tide in late January and took a surprise visit to Ohio State just days later. Larry Johnson and Ed Warinner made the trip to Maryland to help put the finishing touches on the signing-day flip. K.J. Hill committed to the Razorbacks in August before flirting with Alabama and Ohio State. A late-January official visit was enough to put the Buckeyes out in front and the flip was completed as Hill put the pen to the paper on signing day.
9. BUCKEYES AT THE OPENING
It's always great to see a number of Buckeyes commits and targets competing amongst the best of the best. In July, five Buckeyes were in attendance for Nike's The Opening; an event that is known to be the most competitive high school camp in the country.
All five Buckeye commits were a part of Team Lunarbeast. They included Austin Mack, Jake Hausmann, Demario McCall, Jonathon Cooper, and the aforementioned Kareem Walker (who ended up not making the trip). Lunarbeast struggled through their first day, losing all four of their 7-on-7 events. They then were able to get on a hot streak and ride it all the way to the 7-on-7 championship where they took down Team Mach Speed.
8. HANGING ON TO MIKE WEBER, TORRANCE GIBSON
Snatching Detroit's Mike Weber from the Michigan schools was one of the finer moments of 2014. Keeping him from the Michigan schools as signing day approached was even more impressive. The hiring of Jim Harbaugh brought whispers of Weber drifting back toward Ann Arbor. However, Kerry Coombs and the Buckeyes were able to hang on to the nation's ninth-ranked tailback.
Torrance Gibson committed to Ohio State in November of 2014, but virtually everyone knew that this was going to be a recruitment to watch all the way until February. Gibson ended up visiting several other schools—including Miami, Auburn, and LSU—but stuck with the Buckeyes on signing day. While he hasn't made an impact in 2015, his athleticism is off the charts and should be fun to watch for the next few years.
7. CONTINUED SUCCESS IN GEORGIA
The Buckeyes have made the state of Georgia a priority, and for good reason considering its absurd amount of talent. Vonn Bell signed with Ohio State in 2013 and then it was Raekwon McMillan for the 2014 class. On July 27th, the Buckeyes were again able to land another top-rated prospect from Georgia; this time it was 2017 safety Isaiah Pryor.
2017 #Rivals100 Archer (Ga.) DB Isaiah Pryor has committed to Ohio State.
— Woody Wommack (@RivalsWoody) July 27, 2015
Notre Dame and Ohio State seemed to be the schools standing out the most for the 31st-ranked 2017 prospect. After visiting and camping in Columbus, Pryor cited his relationship with the Buckeyes' staff as the deciding factor in his recruitment. At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, he could end up at safety or linebacker.
6. QUARTERBACK QUANDRY
The Buckeyes' quarterback board went through some major changes throughout the year. Early on it looked like Dwayne Haskins would be the guy for the 2016 class. Then the focus shifted to New Jersey's Jarrett Guarantano and then to DeSoto's Tristen Wallace.
Wallace pledged to the Buckeyes in April and then all was quiet for the better part of eight months. During his up-and down senior season, some questions began to arise as to whether or not he would play quarterback at the next level. Last week, news broke that the Buckeyes had renewed interest in former top target Dwayne Haskins and that Wallace may end up elsewhere. After a weekend visit to Oregon, Wallace flipped from the Bucks to the Ducks. The Haskins' recruitment will continue to be one to watch as signing day approaches.
5. HAUSMANN SPURNS IRISH
Brian Kelly and the Irish have been a thorn in Urban Meyer's side since his arrival in Columbus; especially as it pertains to recruiting the Cincinnati area. The Catholic school has formed a bit of a pipeline to the predominantly-Catholic area, most recently snagging Elder's Tommy Kraemer in October of 2014.
Moeller's Jake Hausmann saw his recruitment go down a similar path—with the Buckeyes and Irish as two of the finalists—but the result was much more favorable as the 6-foot-5, 235-pound tight end committed to Ohio State this past January. The Hausmann commit, as well as the Justin Hilliard signing, were two big victories for Meyer in Cincinnati.
4. MACK STEPS UP
Not every recruiting class necessarily has someone who steps up as the leader of the class. However, having one can really go a long way in helping the coaching staff bring in the talent that they're targeting. The relationships with the coaching staffs are integral, but relationships with fellow recruits and potentially future teammates can also go a long way.
Damon Webb led the charge for the 2014 class, and Austin Mack has stepped up as that guy for 2016. Since committing to Ohio State in June, Mack has made countless trips to Columbus and built relationships with a number of Buckeye targets. His efforts were noted at the opening and on seemingly every big recruiting weekend in Columbus this fall. Mack will be arriving on campus in January and should compete for early playing time at wide receiver.
3. THE SUMMER OF COOP
Jonathon Cooper's commitment to Ohio State wasn't a surprise. Once the offer was sent his way, it was really just a matter of time. To those who weren't familiar with him, it may have just looked like a run-of-the-mill three-star kid from Columbus. This past summer, Cooper saw his stock skyrocket as he went from camp to camp and took home honors at seemingly every one.
Cooper's ranking has shot up on each and every recruiting site. 247Sports.com was the first to bump the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder into five-star status, and he now checks in as the No. 25 player in the entire country. Cooper has added weight but still is able to explode off the edge. He too will be enrolling early at Ohio State and his recruitment was documented in our first Inked column on Tuesday.
2. BUCKEYES LAND OHIO'S BEST
While the Buckeyes currently have the No. 1 recruiting class in America, they did miss out on some key in-state offensive linemen. Cleveland's Liam Eichenberg and the aforementioned Tommy Kraemer are the state's top two offensive linemen for the 2016 class, and neither will be playing their college ball at Ohio State. Despite the Buckeyes' hot pursuit, both are currently committed to the Irish.
In January, Urban Meyer and Ed Warinner locked up the country's top 2017 offensive lineman—Miamisburg's Josh Myers. While Myers was assumed to be a Buckeye lean, his family connections to the University of Kentucky were a bit concerning. Zach Myers plays center for the Wildcats and the possibility of his younger brother joining him in Lexington appeared to be a possibility there for a bit. Myers is currently rated as the No. 3 player in the country for 2017.
1. A MIDSUMMER BOOM
Everyone knew Nick Bosa was going to Ohio State. The question was always "when?" That question was answered on July 23rd when the five-star finally made it official. Most thought the nation's top defensive end would have been in the fold long before his summer announcement, but Bosa didn't appear to be in any rush.
“If you don’t double team him, you sign your death warrant.”– Larry Blustein, Florida recruiting analyst
In the days leading up to his decision, he took trips to both Gainesville and Tallahassee to check out the Gators and Noles. No formal announcement date was ever set, but after taking the two unofficials, it was expected to come at virtually anytime.
The expectation is for Bosa to make an early impact at Ohio State, perhaps stepping in for his brother who is expected to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. While he did undergo surgery for a partially-torn ACL in November, the recovery timetable is expected to be about nine months, which should allow him to participate in fall camp.
Just wanted to let everyone know I'm committed to THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY !!! pic.twitter.com/XZNcjRPHbQ
— Nick Bosa (@nbsmallerbear) July 23, 2015
With two weeks left in the year and just about two months until signing day, there's still plenty to be on the lookout for. Quarterback recruiting continues to be the biggest thing to keep an eye on. Is Maryland going to retain Mike Locksley? If so, what effect would that have on Dwayne Haskins?
The Buckeyes are also still looking to fill the void in the secondary, and it remains to be seen what kind of impact the hiring of Greg Schiano could have on someone like Jordan Fuller. Will the Penn State offer shake things up for Temple commit Jahsen Wint?
With the top-ranked class for both 2016 and 2017, there's a lot to be excited about.
It's been a hell of a year.
