The 11W Recruiting Mailbag is your one-stop shop for all things Ohio State recruiting. You have questions. We have answers.
Are the Buckeyes looking to add [Houston five-star cornerback Anthony] Cook and be completely done with their secondary, or might the secondary class have six people? - BuckeyeGrownFloridaLiving
After signing six defensive backs earlier this year, the secondary didn't seem to be very high on the list of priorities for Ohio State in the current recruiting cycle — particularly at cornerback. But given the number of departures for the National Football League that have occurred in the secondary in recent seasons, it's still important for the staff to bring in several defensive backs each cycle.
Projected starting safeties Damon Webb and Erick Smith are set to graduate in the spring, hence commitments from four-stars Jaiden Woodbey and Josh Proctor and three-star Marcus Hooker, who is expected to transition from cornerback at the next level. But at cornerback specifically, the staff won't look to bring anyone on beyond Cook and four-star Sevyn Banks — there's just too much talent at the position for it to be intriguing to any other prospects, either.
How many early enrollees will there be for the 2018 class, and if you had to guess, who will they be? - Bucknut1994
Ohio State had 10 early enrollees in this year's cycle — if you count JUCO cornerback Kendall Sheffield, who joined the team in time for spring practices after completing the proper coursework at Blinn. The Buckeyes aren't on track to reach that number in 2018, but at least four current commits have already expressed interest in doing so — either publicly or in conversations with Eleven Warriors.
Of course, there are still as many as nine spots open in the class, so players like Fairfield five-star offensive tackle Jackson Carman, Pennsylvania five-star defensive end Micah Parsons, New Jersey four-star defensive end Jayson Oweh and so forth could make the number jump. However, at the very minimum, I expect IMG Academy five-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent, Georgia five-star defensive end Brenton Cox, Virginia Beach four-star linebacker Teradja Mitchell and Tennessee four-star offensive tackle Max Wray to be on campus in January.
Does Oweh pushing back his commitment alter our defensive line plans? - EvanstonBuckeye
There was a lot of speculation, including from my end, that Oweh may have made his decision during or shortly thereafter Friday Night Light. But that has come and gone, and he has since announced he'll make his decision during the Under Armour All-America Game in January 2018. With that said, though, there are only two real suitors to vie for his services until then: Ohio State and Penn State.
It's my understanding, despite his lack of experience playing football, that he's a priority for both schools — heck, Buckeyes' defensive coordinator Greg Schiano spoke with his mom on the sidelines for more than 45 minutes during the recruiting event. Oweh has expressed his desire to seek patience from the school that will gain his pledge, and they'll truly have to show it.
Naturally, the numbers seem a bit tricky for Ohio State at this point in time. But with two defensive ends in the fold and the Buckeyes among the favorites for Oweh, Parsons and Cleveland Heights four-star Tyreke Smith, maybe time is the best thing for both sides? It not only gives Oweh the added benefit of more time with each staff, but it will allow the defensive line situation to sort itself out for Ohio State.
After all, Florida four-star Andrew Chatfield is on decommit/flip watch, and that in itself would ease anybody's mind when it comes to bringing that many prospects on at one position.
How are the Buckeyes set at the long snapper position? Liam McCullough is close to being eligible for the NFL, if he goes that way. Is there anyone that Ohio State has on the radar or has/will make an offer to soon? - Icouldnotgofor3
Interestingly enough, McCullough is the only returning specialist from last season. It has to be a good feeling to know, too, that a position so important — yet so unappreciated — is in good hands for three more years. Since he's only entering his redshirt sophomore season, Ohio State doesn't face a glaring need at the long snapper position.
Olentangy's James Rosenberry — who is considered a four-star prospect by Rubio Long Snapping — had significant interest in playing for the Buckeyes, but recently committed to Maryland because he felt it was unlikely he would ever play a down in Columbus.
But all that said, McCullough has a younger brother who is set to graduate in the spring. Whether or not he ends up following in his brother's footsteps is to be determined, but the two-year overlap (one if he's redshirted) is surely something that will weigh on his mind if he's looking for playing time.
With the new early signing day in December, should be worried about any of our commits who don't sign then? - Daniel
When it comes to Ohio State, I don't think there will be any issues with getting kids to sign in December. It speaks to both the character of the kids the Buckeyes are recruiting and the staff's willingness to work with them. Current commits have said the staff places honesty above all other traits, and if both sides are honest about their intentions throughout the process — whether they just want to take a few more visits before signing or need just a little more time to discuss the decision with their family — it doesn't matter if they sign in December or February.
However, I expect the early signing period to effectively replace National Signing Day within the next few years. And while commits who have made their decision long beforehand will sign on the dotted line without issue in December, it may get messy for those who hold out until February. Programs might push for top players to sign their letters of intent and tell them to look elsewhere if they don't, while five-star prospects might push back using their leverage of being a highly sought-after recruit to stir up some drama.
Ohio State is almost certain to find themselves in a tricky spot at some point along the line as a result. But when it comes to this year's class, I don't expect any theatrics.
Will Ohio State continue to recruit [Louisville five-star defensive end] Stephen Herron Jr. despite his commitment to That School Up North? - AwlinBrutus
There was a time where I felt Herron was going to be among the staff's top priorities for 2019. He talked very highly of defensive line coach Larry Johnson and seemed to have enjoyed his numerous trips to Columbus. There was even talk about him being a package deal with 2018 four-star receiver and teammate Rondale Moore.
But with the Buckeyes only set to take one or two defensive ends in next year's cycle — Olentangy Orange five-star Zach Harrison being the main target — there was no need for the staff to push for Herron. Not to mention, Lexington four-star outside linebacker Cade Stover may eventually develop into a defensive end at the next level.
When can we expect the first 2019 targets to start committing? - BucksIan
Harrison and Stover are the obvious candidates to make the call whenever they make a short trip to campus, but they don't seem too interested in ending their respective recruitment just yet — even though we all know how it's going to end.
West Virginia five-star offensive tackle Doug Nester is another possibility, seeing as he was on commitment watch during Friday Night Lights. But I'm going to instead wager that the Sept. 9 home game against Oklahoma will be the day the Buckeyes gain their first pledge for the still-to-be-named 2019 recruiting class.
And who will it be? Tennessee four-star wide receiver Trey Knox.
The staff has been in constant contact with Knox since offering him a scholarship following his visit for the win over Northwestern last season, and running backs coach Tony Alford was down south a handful of times to meet with his coaches or watch him practice during the spring evaluation period. Shortly after Knox returned to Columbus for a spring practice in April, a source close to Knox told Eleven Warriors to circle that date.
“He's nearly a lock to Ohio State,” the source said. “Florida was his childhood school, but they don't cover their bases like Ohio State's staff. Nobody does it like [director of player personnel Mark] Pantoni and Urban, and it's not close. Their whole life seems to be recruiting.”
2019 quarterback offers: [Michigan three-star] Dwan Mathis, [Texas four-star] Grant Tisdale or [Alabama four-star] Bo Nix. Who do the Buckeyes really go after? - 1MechEng
I'll immediately scratch Nix from the list. Seeing as he's the son of former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix, there's just no way he's leaving the south. It'll either be Auburn or Florida State, as head coach Jimbo Fisher was the elder Nix's quarterbacks coach in college.
So then, it must be a two-horse race between Mathis and Tisdale? Well, let's not forget Mathis still doesn't have an offer from the staff despite camping in Columbus twice this summer. He's a very accurate passer and has shown a lot of confidence in individual reps, but the staff is clearly waiting to see him play in a game before pulling the trigger.
That obviously gives Tisdale a leg-up in the early competition between the two. But even then, he's only played in a handful of games as a backup. The staff may have already pushed for his pledge if he had a few starts under his belt, though.
With that said, it's still too early to determine which player will be the guy in 2019. But, given the platform to give my opinion, I think it's Tisdale — and he may even bring a four-star wide receiver with him.
What is the process of the coaching staff giving [an offer] out? What is the conversation between the coaches and the recruit? Are the coaches honest with the players about why the offer isn't committable? - Mastro16
Most typical example:
College coach to high school coach: “Hey coach, so-and-so looked real good out there during spring evaluation period/in camp/on film. Will you let him know he has an offer from Ohio State? Thanks.”
High school coach to prospect: “Hey kid, you have an offer from Ohio State.”
Kid on Twitter: “Blessed/Thankful/Excited to have received an offer from Ohio State.”
A verbal offer is — and should most often be looked as — just the first step in the recruiting process. It's saying, essentially, that Ohio State is interested in building a relationship with you. As I've said before, it's a foot in the door, not an invitation to commit.
The staff would be clear if it were more than that, as has been the case with all 16 players who have committed so far, and those conversations take place behind closed doors when a kid finally makes it to campus. And if an uncommitted prospect receives an official offer on Aug. 1 going into his senior year, then he knows he has a committable offer.
