11W Mailbag: Summer Time Heats Up Buckeye Recruiting, Harbaugh's Impact and More

No time for chatting, let's get to it. I've got a little surprise at the end of the mailbag today and I've tried to divide it up into nice, neat little sections. 

Thanks for all the questions everyone.

Who's your favorite player overall in this class? (Committed to us or not) – Kareemabduljacobb

This is a hard question, truthfully, because there's a number of different ways to break it down. Are you talking as a prospect? A person? Both?

I'll start with Austin Mack, who I've been able to get to know fairly well over the last year. Austin is a great kid and a really good football player, who has always impressed me with his ability to handle the pressure of recruiting without letting it affect his personality. A lot of times, kids start the recruiting process with a ton of energy and are willing and wanting to talk to everyone about the ups and downs of being recruited, but they quickly lose interest and get frustrated by the onslaught of attention. Austin definitely had moments where was ready for it to be over, but it never changed his approach or how he handled the media, and that's really impressive for a 17-year-old kid.

On the field? It's hard to pick just one player nationally that I think will be better than the rest, but I think people are not paying enough attention to how special Demario McCall can be. When he gets into a college weight program and adds 15-20 pounds without losing a step, watch out.

Are we done at linebacker? And if Bosa commits to OSU does that close out all other defensive ends? – MacG91

Yes, I think Ohio State – barring serious interest from a player like California's Caleb Kelly – is finished at linebacker for 2016. Tuf Borland will likely be the only player at the position.

Yes, when Bosa commits, that will be the last defensive end in Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class unless something happens and a player currently committed ends up elsewhere, which I don't expect to happen.

Who throws more passes in their Ohio State career, Joey Burrow or Torrance Gibson? – Adam21

Hey, Adam, nothing like putting me on the spot! Here's the deal, we're all guessing about what happens with Ohio State's quarterbacks in 2015, so thinking about 2017 and beyond is almost impossible, but I'll give it a crack.

I believe that Torrance Gibson's athletic ability makes him a very unique player in Urban Meyer's plans, and he's made big strides as a quarterback in the last year and will continue to do so. Does that mean he's going to get the job? No. Burrow can play. The kid is a legit passer and does all the little things you need a quarterback to do. Forced to make a choice I say Gibson, because he's got a game-changing gear that is hard for coaches to ignore.

Gut feeling, do we hang on to all three "running backs" currently committed? – JDunc686

Right now, I say absolutely the Buckeyes keep George Hill, Kareem Walker and Demario McCall. There's going to be a need to recruit each of them hard until February, but the Buckeyes have the best coaching staff in America and the national title in 2014, combined with the run in 2015 that's coming, will keep them as the "it" team nationally. 

For Hill, though, the concern about Michigan State remains valid and Walker is going to take a look at a number of big-time schools throughout the next few months so Tony Alford will have his work cut out for him. Earn those paychecks, Tony.

Which member of the 2015 recruiting class will push for playing time? – TheChaseFor8

Outside of special teams, where I expect a handful of the "Elite '15" to get some run, there's not going to be many guys that make an impact in 2015. That's not a knock on the class, of course, they're just walking into a national championship program that returns a lot of talent. 

Still, I expect Matt Burrell, Jr. and Isaiah Prince to make the two-deep along the offensive line. I believe that one of the two defensive tackles – and I'll go on a limb and say Da'Von Hamilton – will surprise folks with his athleticism. Justin Hilliard, Jerome Baker and Nick Conner could all find playing time; Conner especially after an impressive spring. 

Out of all the WRs we are chasing for 2016, including the committed Austin Mack, which one do you want to see in a scarlet and gray uniform the most? – RonBizi

I believe that of the remaining wide receiver targets, the biggest "game changer" out there could be Binjimen Victor. He's a different type of receiver than anyone on the Ohio State roster and I think, as the Buckeyes search for that "AJ Green" type of field-stretching receiver option, he's the closest thing out there.

Now that Jackson has visited. Is there a possibility with Jackson and Gary or do they just go with one? – JCoop22

Of course there's a chance, but it's not a good one. Rashan Gary and Antwuan Jackson are the Buckeyes' top two options at defensive tackle right now and Jackson is – right now – in the midst of an extended visit to Columbus. This trip to Ohio State for Jackson is a big one, and right now he's the most likely of the duo to end up a Buckeye, but it's foolish to ever count out Larry Johnson, Sr. and Urban Meyer and Rashan Gary is a major priority. 

Numbers are an issue, but the Buckeyes want one more defensive tackle and they'd take two if it were these two.

Which OSU coach (in your opinion) is doing the best work recruiting so far? – 1MechEng

Ohio State's coaches are among the best in the country when it comes to recruiting, and that's for a good reason: Urban Meyer won't hire you unless you are. That being the case, it's hard to pinpoint just one coach who has done the "best" job because each is so different due to geographic challenges, positional challenges, etc. 

Right now, the job Kerry Coombs continues to do in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana is remarkable; he's almost single-handedly changed the perception of the Buckeyes in Michigan and has made traveling south to school a "cool" thing for kids from up north to do. That's not an easy task and he's done with it an energy that is unmistakably unique.

Birm, why don't you try explaining to us what Michigan is doing with this recruiting class. I'm puzzled. Thanks – BengalErnst

I don't want to oversimplify, because I realize that there's an idea throughout Big Ten country that Michigan's current approach isn't working, but that's just not accurate. What you're seeing right now from Jim Harbaugh and his staff is this: recruit the players you like for your program. Star rankings – and we can't say this enough – just don't matter to college coaches. What matters to Harbaugh is finding players that have his mentality and will come in and bust their butts to make an impact in Ann Arbor. That is a serious departure from what they've added in recent years when they've chosen players who were, in a word, soft. That stops now.

Do you see UM and Harbaugh finishing their recruiting class strong?  – DallasTheologion

How Michigan's class ends up is likely going to be determined by how their season ends up. There's little doubt that they have a favorable schedule, they get both Ohio State, Michigan State and BYU at home, but what recruits are going to look for is a healthier program, period. 

Fans that stay through games, a program that fold when the chips are down and a coaching staff that takes accountability if things go wrong. The bottom line is that recruits across the country right now have no idea about the Michigan of old. What they've been since the turn of the century has been mediocre and it's past the point where off-the-field conversation will win the day in a living room. Right now, the tide has to turn between the goal-lines.

What do you think about all the Michigan questions? Is it an unhealthy obsession? – Rosycheeks

I think it's actually a good thing. Ohio State fans should be wary of being too confident. Michigan is not going to be down forever because Harbaugh is the right answer in Ann Arbor. As the 1990s should remind of, the cyclical nature of sports is ongoing and the Buckeyes are on top right now, but it won't be forever. Keep forever mindful, friends because the night is dark and full of terrors and winter is coming.

In case anyone hasn't noticed, we've added a new face to the 11W team in recent weeks and I invited Dr. Aloiya Earl to participate in today's mailbag for the non-recruiting-related questions. She was gracious enough to join us and I wanted to give you all a chance to get to know a bit more about our resident medical expert.

Hopefully you all don't mind the "intrusion."

What's the meaning of life, Birm? – Bennyhana311

Birm: Let's get existential! Life is about two very important things, as I see it. First, love! Love hard, love with reckless abandon and love completely! Fear not the letdown, for the loss of love is worth the gain when you've felt it. Second, life is about integrity, the "golden rule," as it were. Be the person you want people to be to, and for, you.

Dr. Earl: The meaning of life seems to be to fill life with meaning. For some people, that means finding and sharing their passion. For others, it just means wearing pants and having responsibilities most days of the week. And then there’s you, Bennyhana311: The man fervent enough about a mediocre Japanese hibachi establishment that you’ve decided to construct your 11W username and therefore your sole purposeful identity after its namesake. You, sir, have filled your life with abundant meaning. And to that, I tip my hat.

You've got one Ohio State Football game to watch for eternity, and only one. Thoughts? – JohnnyKozmo

Birm: Recent years have been so kind to Ohio State fans that I think we forget just how long the drought was between 1968 and January of 2003. The 2003 Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State versus Miami, that is the game I would watch over and over. That Miami team was quite possibly the best college football team of all-time and that Ohio State team was gutsier and more talented than any in my lifetime. 

Dr. Earl: This is undoubtedly the Ohio State (1) versus Michigan (2) game in 2006. I was but a young pup: Sixteen years old and studying for a pre-calculus exam. By the end of the game, my notebook consisted of “I <3 Troy Smith” bubble-lettered across the pages and the only numbers left in my memory were 42-39. 

Favorite drink to order at a bar? – SivaDavis

Birm: Let's be clear, this answer is dependent on a number of factors such as: where am I? What mood am I in? Who is driving me home? My "basic" drink of choice is Miller Lite, if I'm switching it up with liquor it's a Makers on the rocks or a Jack and Coke. If I'm feeling sophisticated, it's a red wine, preferably Malbec.

Dr. Earl: 

Mac-and-cheese or cheesy potatoes? – Bleeding-Scarlet-Grey

Birm: I'm a red-blooded American male, so the correct answer is obviously both, but you've put on the spot here and I must make a difficult choice. Given one, the right answer is Mac and Cheese, which I've capitalized out of deference for this most amazing of meals. Note: meal. Not side dish, not appetizer, and not mid-afternoon snack. Mac and Cheese is one more reason why I believe in God.

Dr. Earl: Mac will win this debate always and forever. Shapes, shells, you name it; if there’s noodles and cheese, I will eat four servings and regret nothing. If you’re choosing cheesy potatoes, you’re wrong. That’s all.

Are you going to play in the golf outing on the 19th of July? – Remy

Birm: I'm hoping to do just that! I'm scheduled for editor duties that weekend, but I'm going to make every effort to get out there and support the event. It's for a great cause and it's something everyone that can should attend.

Dr. Earl: No, unfortunately not. I will be working a shift in the ICU. That being said, I hope to see none of you that day.