The 11W Recruiting Mailbag is your one-stop-shop for all things Ohio State recruiting. Got a question? Ask it, and if we can answer it, we will.
What's up with Danny Clark? – Lots of Folks
The million dollar question, so I figured we might as well get it out of the right now.
I don't know what Danny Clark is going to do. He's been committed to Ohio State for three years. He loves Ohio State. He's got their brand splattered all over his skin. He's lived his whole life waiting for the chance to line up at quarterback decked out in Scarlet and Gray.
There is not a single negative word that can be said–or written–about Danny Clark and his work-ethic, his desire to be the best, his love of Ohio State and his commitment to the school and the football program.
But college football is a business. A big business and no matter how you slice it, if the Buckeyes want to be the best team in the country year-after-year, as YOU expect them to be, Urban Meyer and his coaching staff need to do what is in the best interest of their future selves. Right now, with limited spots available in the 2017 class and concerning lack of depth in the quarterback room–especially if JT Barrett were to leave for the NFL or any other reason prematurely–things get real precarious.
We know Clark visited Alabama last weekend and didn't make the trip to Ohio State for their spring game. We know he's committed to Ohio State. We know that right now, it'd not be the biggest surprise in the world to learn that he–like the Buckeyes before him–are exploring all possible options. I expect that both he, and the staff at Ohio State, have been upfront about their intentions and while it may not be the rosiest relationship right now, that they will work together to find the best situation for a young man that has done everything right since the day he committed in Urban Meyer's office in December of 2013.
Which current verbal for 2017 could have the greatest immediate impact? – UniotoTank55
I think it's hard to overlook Miamisburg's Josh Myers at this point. The Ohio State offensive line will have a few openings in 2017 and Myers' talent is not normal. This is a once-a-decade type of offensive lineman who is already college-ready physically.
Myers will enroll early and he will get every opportunity to step into a lot of playing time as a true freshman.
As a bonus answer, I'll also say that I think Shaun Wade, provided he sticks with the Buckeyes, will play a lot in his freshman season. He's a certified freak.
What is your gut telling you about who we end up with at QB for 2017? – BKShepherd
I think that right now, the trio I'd watch the closest outside of Clark are pretty obvious, with two of them before more obvious than the third.
Tate Martell and Kellen Mond, committed to Texas A&M and Baylor respectively, each visited Ohio State this spring and it's clear that each of them are–at the least–open to flipping their commitment somewhere. It's not a coincidence that the Buckeyes received the first visit that each took, but it's also not entirely encouraging that both of them have decided to really open things up. Martell will take official visits this fall and Mond spent last weekend at Florida State and Auburn. It's much easier to get a flip when you're fighting against only one team, not an entire country's-worth of big-time programs.
Beyond those two, I still think one key name is DeSoto, Texas' Shawn Robinson, who has been committed to TCU since last summer. Tim Beck and Robinson–along with his father–talk regularly and if by some small chance they can arrange some visit to Ohio things would get very interesting. I think that if you look at the players around the country, there are none who fit Ohio State's system as its been run than Robinson.
The Buckeyes need a quarterback in 2017 so they will get one and it's possible new names could pop up but whomever ends up being the guy is likely to come from this group of four.
I previously read that the coaches were not recruiting on Fridays so they can spend time with their position groups. I saw Coach Warinner at Pickerington Central on Friday. So my question is whether or not the no recruiting on Friday is false? – SoulPatrol32
I think, as with any "rule" there will be exceptions and certainly it will be easy enough for Ohio State coaches to get around the check in on schools in the metropolitan Columbus area.
Urban Meyer's decision to make Friday's about less about recruiting and more about staff development and leadership training is great, but make no mistake: recruiting will never stop.
Ever.
Anyone else you seeing the staff asking to take a grayshirt besides Sibley? – WoodysGhost
I think the precedent has been kind of set with grayshirts in respect to special teams over the last few years so it'd not be a surprise if Blake Haubeil decides to do that, knowing he'll come in the following year and be the kicker on campus.
My gut tells me that Danny Clark will have the option to grayshirt if he wants it, and in fact, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see a couple of the current Ohioans eventually asked to delay things just a bit in order to make the numbers work.
It's a tough spot for Ohio State to be in, it's a tougher spot for the players themselves to be in and I certainly know it's not what either side would view as ideal. Still, this is the way you win championships and it's here to stay.
How realistic is the possibility of landing Najee Harris? Cam Akers? – Avail31678
I wouldn't put too much stock into the Najee Harris thing at this point, even though he made the long trip to Ohio for the Buckeyes' spring game. Harris has been committed to Bama for a while and it's never easy to get a player from California to commit to Ohio State and it's harder still when they're committed to Alabama and play a position that already has two* commitments like the Buckeyes do at running back.
With Cam Akers, things are a bit different. There is a lot of confidence from some portions of the Ohio State staff, but there's the usual trepidation about southern prospects. I don't really like doing the whole "percentages" thing because it's kind of pointless, but there's certainly better odds that Akers, who was committed to Alabama, ends up a Buckeye than there is Harris does.
Akers has been to Ohio State twice, on his own dime, and he's made it clear that he would like to get back again soon. People in Mississippi have continued to beat the drum that Akers wants to leave the state for college and Ohio State, Tennessee and Georgia have all been closely tied to the country's second-ranked running back.
How much did you {work} during your vacation? – Jumar
Outside of a few conversations where I was needed to provide some context on things, absolutely none. It was glorious and very necessary.
I am not always sure how much typing folks like DJ, Tim Shoemaker, Eric Seger and myself do on a daily basis. It's really not great for the old joints and sometimes a break is vital not just for mental alacrity but also for physical health.
How does the behind the scenes info work? Does the Buckeye staff direct what information can and should not be publicized? – BadApple
You know, it's kind of interesting how things work in this respect. Generally speaking, if the information isn't meant to be written about, that's pretty explicitly stated prior to the dissemination of said information.
If I come across potentially divisive or controversial information, I do generally let the player in question know and ask them how they'd like me to proceed. There's not a story I've ever "broken" that didn't have the consent of the person I was writing about it.
On the other hand, it's very important to be true to oneself from an integrity standpoint when it comes to reporting news, because we're not here to be pawns for either side of the information. There are a lot of things we learn that we don't report immediately, and in some cases not at all.
Measure twice, write once. That's how it works best.
Gut feeling... Do Tyjon Lindsey and Trevon Grimes both end up elsewhere? – TDible2132
Gut feeling is that right now, both still end up Buckeyes, though the comfort level that I have with that prediction is waning. Still, Ohio State is in great shape with both of these five-star wide receivers and Zach Smith, when he narrows his focus on one or two guys, has been hitting at an alarming rate.
Unlike like most of the other recruiters on the Ohio State staff that cast wide nets, Smith knows the guys that he thinks will fit his position group and make them and only them a priority. I think in some way Smith learned a valuable lesson in the 2015 class when he let the grip Ohio State has on Christian Kirk loose and I don't think you'll see him do that again.
So, with Lindsey and Grimes, I still think Ohio State holds the lead and they'll keep fighting off the potential usurpers. As for Donovan Peoples-Jones, who others asked about…I still don't think the Buckeyes are a real player here, despite having King Hashtag, Kerry Coombs, all over the hallways of Detroit Cass Tech.
What are you hearing about Tuf Borland? Almost all the other early enrollees made waves, but we heard almost nothing about him. – RosyCheeks
I actually had a chance to talk to one of the Buckeyes' veteran linebackers following their student appreciation day and he specifically mentioned Borland as a player that really "had a good day."
Borland played well in his limited opportunities during the spring game and is fortunate to be coming into a situation where there's little pressure to perform this year. He can soak up all things Buckeye and put himself into a spot next year to compete. If he continues to do the right things and put in the work, he could potentially work himself into some special teams time this year.
How will Jon Snow come back to life in Game of Thrones? – TheScarletNut
I'd be a liar if I said I hadn't been wondering about this for the last year and it was slightly surprising that wasn't more addressed in episode one on Sunday night, though it's probably going to stretch out through this season.
First, I think it's fairly obvious that Lord Commander Snow will come back this season. I felt initially, as we listened to Ghost howl incessantly while Jon's body was being retrieved, that we'd learn he'd warged into the direwolf before "dying" but it's more likely that we'll see Melisandre (hopefully in her younger form) play the pivotal role in his rebirth.
Last season of Game of Thrones felt pretty disappointing and I'm hopeful that this year's version will be better, despite not having the books–and their guidance–to back it up. Episode one was a pretty good start.
I'm going to hand it over to Eric now...
Who is someone that didn't quite impress you during Spring camp (and game), but yet you feel is a guy poised to have a big year? — BlockO330
I'll go with Tracy Sprinkle. This feels a bit like a cop out because Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson had nothing but positive things to say about him this spring, but due to the lack of actual practice Ohio State permitted the media to see, he wasn't all that impressive to me. Granted, he didn't play that much during the spring game as one of the older members of the defensive line, which is expected with such a young roster. Sprinkle appears to have shred some weight and added a quicker step to his game. Plus, Meyer and especially Johnson seem at a good place with him as the leader at defensive tackle. He'll need to be, because along with Michael Hill, Sprinkle has the most experience at the position after departures of Joel Hale, Tommy Schutt and Adolphus Washington. And, Sprinkle is much more mature now then when Meyer kicked him off the team two summers ago. If he stays healthy, expect a big year from him. That's what Ohio State hopes for, anyways.
Birm and Eric, who do you think will be our starting running back this fall? — Daniel
This is a bit of a difficult question because Bri'onte Dunn's ankle twist kept him off the field in the spring game, a late scratch that wasn't expected. Urban Meyer is impressed with how Dunn changed his body and took his chance to finally start with a head full of steam this spring, and Tony Alford feels the same way. So because of that, and due to Meyer's comment last month about hoping the senior takes the first snap Sept. 3 against Bowling Green, I'll say Dunn. However, Mike Weber is very, very good and excels in pass protection, which pleases Alford almost more than how he runs the ball. I think by the end of the year Weber will receive more of the lion's share of the reps at running back, but Dunn will play some too.
Birm: Mike Weber. I know Bri'onte Dunn will play, and he'll need to play well because he's not going to be the "backup" per se, but I think Weber will be the primary ballcarrier. His vision, wiggle and low-center of gravity make him ideal in Ohio State's run game.
Several of our most likely candidates in the projected wide receiver rotation are out rehabbing injuries. Most notably, Curtis Samuel, Noah Brown and Corey Smith. Although, Dontre Wilson was apparently still somewhat restricted with that foot. Which of those players do the coaches think will be full-go by the beginning of Fall Camp? Who do they think will not? I'd be interested in hearing when they're expecting Erick Smith to return to action at safety, as well. — Buckeye Phi
According to wide receivers coach Zach Smith — who talked with reporters for the first time Wednesday since media day ahead of the 2015 season, so in roughly eight months — all the players you mentioned on offense are believed to be 100 percent by the time fall camp opens. Smith mentioned that Curtis Samuel could have played in the spring game, but he missed so much practice time that it would not have made sense to risk a re-injury of his foot. Noah Brown broke his leg a few months before Corey Smith suffered a similar injury, so I think there is a better chance of him getting back in time for camp than the sixth-year senior. Regrettably, I do not have a medical background to base that off, however. I'm not a doctor, sadly, as much as my mother wanted me to be when I went to college.
On Wilson — his foot injury might never full go away, but he is going to play this year. At least that is what Smith and Meyer both said countless time this spring. He's a veteran, so it's not like he needed to be killed with practice time on such a young team.
Depth at safety is a concern for Greg Schiano, which makes complete sense because not only did Erick Smith not really practice this spring but Cam Burrows wasn't at full speed until the very end. Look for Damon Webb to play there this fall along with Eric Glover-Williams, but Schiano said Smith is "pretty close" to healthy. I'd expect him and Burrows at 100 percent for the summer and fall camp.
With three spots locked up on the O-line (Elflein, Price, and Jones), who do you think will end up at the other two come September 3rd? Not necessarily who the favorites are, but who you (either Birm and/or Eric) thinks will actually be starting.
On the topic of the line starting spots.. on the defensive side, it's safe to assume that the 4 favorites (and perhaps most likely) to start on Sept. 3 are Hubbard, Hill, Sprinkle, and Lewis. What are the odds that somebody cracks into the starting line up that isn't one of those 4? If so, who? — KJonesATX
I think Isaiah Prince is as close to earning a starting job as one can be in his position, but the staff wants to see what it has in Malcolm Pridgeon first. They didn't say that, but it is just the vibe I'm getting from Meyer. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to talk to Greg Studrawa last week to ask him your question specifically, but I'm sure it will get ironed out soon enough. I'd pencil Prince in at right tackle, though, but with the caveat that Pridgeon is going to play. I'm not sure exactly where, but Ohio State isn't going to take a junior college offensive lineman and have him sit the bench. Matt Burrell and Michael Jordan are also going to play, but just might not start. The line will be interesting to watch at those two spots because I think they'll do some sort of rotation for a while until someone separates from the pack. Sorry if that wasn't the answer you hoped to get.
On the defensive line, believe in Bosa. Always, always believe in a Bosa. I don't think Nick will start right away, but he'll play. Other than that, Ohio State is happy with the four guys you mentioned to start in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball.
What is your realistic number of players leaving after the '16 season - seniors, underclassmen, transfers, medicals? What single player do you expect to be the "star" on each side of the ball in '16? — OSUSam77
Decided to address this question because it is a worthy inquiry.
Scouring the current roster, I can tab 12 names that I could realistically see leaving. That number includes Cam Burrows, who is in his fourth year but still listed as a junior after missing time last year with his foot injury. It is unknown if Ohio State will apply to the NCAA for a medical redshirt for him, which I'm sure if granted he'll take and be back in 2017.
The number also includes quarterback J.T. Barrett. I don't really think Barrett would leave eligibility on the table — just never felt like that type of guy to me — but if he has a solid year I could definitely see it because the window to make money in the NFL is so small. Plenty depends on how Ohio State does in 2016 too, I think. If he feels he and his team have "unfinished business" then he'll come back. We'll see.
In all, I'd expect there to be 15 guys gone whether it be graduation, medicals or transfers. That number could swell to 20 or more, but it depends on recruiting. Either way, the roster attrition at this time next year is really going to be something.
As far as your second question: Offense — Barrett; defense — Sam Hubbard.
