Ohio State has had many great players appear in the U.S. All-American Bowl. This little piece is designed to compare and rank the 2017 Ohio State offensive players to the Buckeyes of All-American Bowl past.
If you would like to get a glimpse of Ohio State's future in action, NBC will air the 2017 U.S. All-American Bowl at 1:00 today.
Go here to see the defensive players.
QUARTERBACK
| YEAR | NAME | HT | WT | STARS | 247 | STATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | TERRELLE PRYOR | 6-6 | 233 | ★★★★★ | 1000 | PA |
| 2017 | TATE MARTELL | 5-11 | 203 | ★★★★ | 971 | NV |
| 2015 | TORRENCE GIBSON | 6-4 | 204 | ★★★★ | 961 | FL |
Three Ohio State quarterback commits have played in the All-American Bowl. This year's recruit, Tate Martell, ranks second among Terrelle Pryor and Torrence Gibson. Unlike Pryor, Martell will enter his freshman season with a loaded quarterback room. The kid has talent, but he likely will not see the field as early as Pryor.
Martell is only the third Ohio State QB commit to play in the All-American Bowl.
RUNNING BACK
| YEAR | NAME | HT | WT | STARS | 247 | STATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | BEANIE WELLS | 6-1 | 225 | ★★★★★ | 996 | OHIO |
| 2002 | MAURICE CLARETT | 6-0 | 230 | ★★★★★ | 984 | OHIO |
| 2017 | JK DOBBINS | 5-9 | 199 | ★★★★ | 979 | TEXAS |
| 2016 | DEMARIO McCALL | 5-9 | 171 | ★★★★ | 976 | OHIO |
| 2013 | EZEKIEL ELLIOTT | 6-0 | 212 | ★★★★ | 969 | MISSOURI |
Looking at the rankings above, it is hard to believe that Ezekiel Elliott was rated as the worst among the group. With that said, if Dobbins (and McCall) can come close to the production of Wells and Elliott they will have great careers and will be remembered by fans for years to come.
The big question mark for me is the size of Dobbins and McCall. They are shorter and smaller then Beanie and Zeke, will durability become an issue?
J.K. Dobbins ranks third among Ohio State running backs in the All-American Bowl.
WIDE RECEIVER
| YEAR | NAME | HT | WT | STARS | 247 | STATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | TYJON LINDSEY | 5-9 | 161 | ★★★★ | 981 | NV |
| 2008 | DEVIER POSEY | 6-2 | 213 | ★★★★ | 973 | OHIO |
| 2001 | ANGELO CHATTAMS | 5-11 | 180 | ★★★★ | 968 | OHIO |
| 2014 | JOHNNIE DIXON | 5-10 | 187 | ★★★★ | 964 | FL |
| 2016 | AUSTIN MACK | 6-2 | 205 | ★★★★ | 961 | IN |
| 2016 | BINJIMEN VICTOR | 6-4 | 180 | ★★★★ | 950 | FL |
| 2008 | LAMAAR THOMAS | 5-11 | 180 | ★★★★ | 944 | MD |
| 2015 | K.J. HILL | 6-0 | 188 | ★★★★ | 930 | AR |
Looking at the list above, it is apparent that Zach Smith has a boatload of talent to work with at the wide receiver position. Tyjon Lindsey is rated as the best Ohio State commit to ever play in the All-American Bowl. Combine his talent with Johnnie Dixon, Austin Mack, Binjimen Victor and K.J. Hill and the the Buckeyes should have weapons galore to work with at receiver.
The good news for Coach Smith is he has great players to work with. The bad news is if they don't produce it will raise serious questions.
For those wondering, Ted Ginn is not on this list because the talented player from Glenville was recruited as a CB coming out of Cleveland.
Tyjon Lindsey is the highest ranked Ohio State commit to play in the US Army All-American Bowl.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS
| YEAR | NAME | HT | WT | STARS | 247 | STATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | WYATT DAVIS | 6-5 | 310 | ★★★★★ | 990 | CA |
| 2006 | CONNOR SMITH | 6-8 | 313 | ★★★★ | 978 | OHIO |
| 2014 | DEMETRIUS KNOX | 6-8 | 294 | ★★★★ | 952 | TX |
| 2014 | MATTHEW BURRELL | 6-8 | 321 | ★★★★ | 949 | VA |
| 2014 | MARCELYS JONES | 6-9 | 325 | ★★★ | 881 | OHIO |
| 2001 | NICK MANGOLD | 6-8 | 270 | ★★★ | 833 | OHIO |
Three of the offensive guards on this list are going to be on the 2017 roster. Hopefully the influx of talent will produce better results than what was shown against Clemson last week. If Wyatt Davis lives up to his grade the Buckeyes should have another solid brick in the wall.
For those that don't put too much stock in recruiting rankings, Nick Mangold being on the bottom of this list is a good place to start an argument.
OG Wyatt Davis is the highest-rated Ohio State commit to play in the All-American Bowl.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
| YEAR | NAME | HT | WT | STARS | 247 | STATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | ALEX BOONE | 6-8 | 295 | ★★★★★ | 993 | OHIO |
| 2017 | JOSH MYERS | 6-6 | 306 | ★★★★★ | 993 | OHIO |
| 2008 | MIKE ADAMS | 6-8 | 300 | ★★★★★ | 987 | OHIO |
| 2008 | J.B. SHUGARTS | 6-7 | 297 | ★★★★ | 977 | TX |
| 2013 | EVAN LISLE | 6-5 | 260 | ★★★★ | 965 | OHIO |
| 2010 | ANDREW NORWELL | 6-5 | 308 | ★★★★ | 962 | OHIO |
| 2016 | MICHAEL JORDAN | 6-5 | 305 | ★★★★ | 939 | MI |
Josh Myers will come into camp with great expectations. The five-star recruit from Miamisburg plays with a chip on his shoulder and could have a chance to compete for a starting job. Could Ohio State have a sophomore and freshman anchoring the tackle positions in 2017?
Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football and the road to the national championship. With the influx of talent in the 2017 class, it appears Urban Meyer is solidifying a team that is already loaded with talent.
