It has been some time since I’ve written anything about the Ohio State University’s football team. Since spring is here and that’s when a college football fan turns to practice, spring games, and recruiting, the time seemed right to offer an observation or two about the young men who elected to play football in exchange for scholarships for the Buckeyes.

Yes, there was recent news about Terrelle Pryor, all everything quarterback from Pennsylvania committing last week, but this class was already stellar without him. Now, I am happy he chose the Bucks? You bet. But let’s not forget the other high quality commits who made it into the fold:

• Offensive Linemen – There were three commits in this segment, Mike Adams, J.B. Shugarts, and Mike Brewster. These kids were all 5 star recruits from the services and average 6′ 6 2/3″ in height and 300lbs in weight. What’s more, they all can move…It takes offensive linemen a little while to adapt to the system so don’t look for them to be on the field immediately, but there’s little doubt they’ll make their presence known.
• Defensive Linemen – Five commits filled out this segment, 2 tackles and 3 ends. The tackles are Shawntel Rowell, and Garrett Goebel and the ends are Nathan Williams, Willie Mobley, and Keith Wells. This group averages 6′ 4 1/2″ in height and 264lbs in weight and is really fast for big guys 4.8 seconds in the forty yard dash. There are many fine linemen returning this season, but these young people might find a way to crack the two-deep.
• Receivers and Tight Ends – There were 4 recruits in this segment, 1 TE and 3 receivers. The TE is Nick DeLillo and the receivers are Lamar Thomas, Jake Stoneburner, and Devier Posey. This is a good sized group with breakaway speed. Suffice to say the run of first round NFL draft picks from Ohio State in this position is secure four years hence. Special teams impact will likely be the contribution from this group this year.
• Defensive Backs – Only 3 DBs joined the class this year, which is an anomaly since the Coaches seem to like to fill classes with kids exhibiting DB skills, size, and speed. The are Zach Domicone, Travis Howard, and Orhian Johnson. As usual, aggressive and contact minded kids fill out this group with good size and great speed. Another group with special teams written all over them this year.
• Special Teams – Ben Buchanan is the third scholarship kicker on the roster. Given that the other two have traded starting duties the last two seasons, the best guess is that Ben will ride the pine and kick on the scout team. He was the first commitment to this class and kicked a few FGs over 55 yards last season. He’s also an accomplished punter.
• Linebackers – This is a small, but stellar haul with two of the top prep linebackers in the country: Andrew Sweat and Etienne Sabino. With all due respect to Penn State and USC who have turned out some fine linebackers, OSU is linebacker U and these two will help prove that point. Super fast, super big, and super instincts. These guys will punish opposing offenses for years to come – however, they’re going to have to fight to see the field first as the linebacker corp is deep and experienced.
• Backs, Full and Quarter – Jermil Martin is the lone recruit at fullback and he’s needed with the thinning of the corps due to injury and graduation. He’s skilled and when he can attain the proper size through training, he’ll be a load. The quarterback recruit goes without saying is the consensus best quarterback in the nation this year, Terrelle Pryor, a nearly unbelievable player checking in at 6′ 6″ and 225 lbs, who runs a 4.35 forty dash and can make all the throws.

What to make of this class? It’s a winner in that it meets the team’s needs with extremely high quality players who appear, at least on the surface, to be reasonable human beings (i.e., not given to off the field hijinx) good students, and excellent football players. With the prior classes this coaching staff has brought in, about 50% of the players redshirt. This year will be no different, though there are some players who’s attitude and skill set may catapult into critical roles for the team almost from day one.

Most non-Buckeye fans won’t want to hear this, but the returning team + this class has to make the Buckeyes favorites to return to the National Championship game for the third time in three seasons. We can all hope for a better result this year…But before that happens, the Bucks must travel to Los Angeles and battle the USC Trojans. Win that game, and odds are, they’ll play for all the marbles again. Back to the core theme, congratulations to the newest Buckeyes and coaches, it’s a great class!