Inside Ohio State’s practice facility Tuesday morning, there were no new noticeable banners hanging on the wall or montages playing on the video board.
During Urban Meyer’s press conference following the Buckeyes’ first practice of the spring, Ohio State’s head coach did not mention a chase or a grind.
Instead, Meyer delivered a message that probably shouldn’t be overlooked.
“Journey ‘17 started today and, as most coaches do, feel very good about the first practice,” Meyer said. “... Ten new players that seem to be everything that we thought they would be when we recruited them.”
“And maybe then some.”
Of all things to say, Meyer went out of his way to mention the early enrollees — nine freshmen, one junior college transfer — the Buckeyes have on their roster this spring. That speaks volumes to how he and the staff feel about this group.
Ohio State’s 2017 recruiting class ranked No. 2 nationally and trailed only Alabama in the 247Sports composite team rankings. The Buckeyes signed 21 players — a smaller class due to roster limitations — and their haul included five five-star prospects and 14 four stars.
It was a talent overload and, perhaps, the best pound-for-pound recruiting class in the history of Ohio State’s storied program. The ones already on campus are clearly making quality first impressions.
“Those are some special players,” defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said.
The 10 new players participating in spring ball for Ohio State: quarterback Tate Martell, running back J.K. Dobbins, wide receiver Brendon White, offensive lineman Josh Myers, linebacker Baron Browning, safety Isaiah Pryor and cornerbacks Jeffrey Okudah, Shaun Wade, Kendall Sheffield and Marcus Williamson.
Each was at least a four-star prospect and several have a chance to make an impact on the field in the fall.
The most likely spot is in the defensive backfield, where the Buckeyes lost three of their four starters from last year. It’s not a coincidence Ohio State signed a total of six defensive backs in this recruiting class and five of them are already on campus. Amir Riep is the only one who is not yet.
Schiano said the early returns are nothing but positive.
“I think it’s too early to judge but I’m very impressed with them, as I said,” Schiano said. “Let’s just see them play and see how it goes but without a doubt, just your initial impression is really talented guys.”
It won’t always be easy, of course. It never is for new players.
Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett joked Thursday that it’s taking Martell some time to adjust to life in college football.
“I wish you could ask him how his first two days went,” Barrett said of Martell. “It’s not Bishop Gorman, that’s for sure.”
From the day Ohio State inked this 2017 recruiting class, Meyer hasn't been short in his praises. He feels there's a great chance it could be one of the strongest to ever come through the program.
There's still a long way to go for that, of course, but it appears things are off to quite a fast start. The early returns are overwhelmingly positive.
