OSU Buckeyes: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Recruiting is a tricky deal to figure out sometimes.
There’s Duke, which knew it had to replace seniors Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly with a stud frontcourt player in this recruiting class. But conversely, did the thought of potentially having to replace sophomore Shane Larkin even enter Jim Larranaga’s mind at the beginning of the season? I know Larkin is not likely going anywhere, but still, the point is that it can be hard to know exactly what you’re going to need to replace in recruiting.
To that point, Tom Crean knew Victor Oladipo was good, but no one saw this type of year coming from the now projected lottery pick.
Once the afterglow of this season wears off, many Wooden Award finalists will need replacing -- and that’s not an easy task. So while not every player on this list will turn pro, the point of this top 10 is to rate how well each team prepared for the contingency going forward in recruiting.
There’s Duke, which knew it had to replace seniors Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly with a stud frontcourt player in this recruiting class. But conversely, did the thought of potentially having to replace sophomore Shane Larkin even enter Jim Larranaga’s mind at the beginning of the season? I know Larkin is not likely going anywhere, but still, the point is that it can be hard to know exactly what you’re going to need to replace in recruiting.
To that point, Tom Crean knew Victor Oladipo was good, but no one saw this type of year coming from the now projected lottery pick.
Once the afterglow of this season wears off, many Wooden Award finalists will need replacing -- and that’s not an easy task. So while not every player on this list will turn pro, the point of this top 10 is to rate how well each team prepared for the contingency going forward in recruiting.
Top 10 Recruiting Replacements for Wooden Award Finalists
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ATHENS, Ga. -- ESPN Watch List wide receiver Demarre Kitt (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) recently cut his mammoth offer list down to a top-15 group of schools that he will consider.
“It got crazy at one point with almost everybody that offered me trying to talk to me,” Kitt said. “So I had to cut my list down to 15 schools. After spring practice I will cut it down to eight or 10. At the end of summer I will do five and then go from there.”
“It got crazy at one point with almost everybody that offered me trying to talk to me,” Kitt said. “So I had to cut my list down to 15 schools. After spring practice I will cut it down to eight or 10. At the end of summer I will do five and then go from there.”
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Ducks visit Wilson, but he still plans visits 
January, 24, 2013
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Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
In an effort to keep ESPN 150 athlete Dontre Wilson (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) committed, Oregon decided to make its trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex count.
To quote Wilson’s father Don, “They sent in the army.”
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Dontre Wilson monitoring Ducks' staff
January, 20, 2013
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Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
Sunday’s news of offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich being named Oregon’s new head coach was good news to ESPN 150 athlete and Ducks commit Dontre Wilson (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto). However, according to his father, more needs to happen for Wilson to be totally sold -- or resold, in the eyes of some -- on the Ducks.
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Big visit, maybe two for Oregon commit
January, 17, 2013
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Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 athlete and Oregon commit Dontre Wilson (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) is apparently ready to hit the road.
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Buckeyes fourth in Way-Too-Early Top 25
January, 8, 2013
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
There are still seven months before the start of the 2013 season, and the teams and their order figure to change frequently, but it's never too early to take a look at the Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2013.
And with three national championships in the past four years, there's no reason to change the team that's on top. Ohio State, with a schedule that's conducive for another unbeaten run, is ranked No. 4.
Also see:
Kevin Mouhon picks up Ohio State offer
January, 5, 2013
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Make that 14.
It’s no secret Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has an affinity for athletes from the state of Georgia. The two-time national champion proved it once again by offering 2014 outside linebacker Kevin Mouhon (Norcross, Ga./Norcross).
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Mouhon becomes the 14th junior from the Peach State to be offered by the Buckeyes and the third from Norcross. Incidentally, the other two are running back Myles Autry and defensive end Lorenzo Carter.
It’s no secret Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has an affinity for athletes from the state of Georgia. The two-time national champion proved it once again by offering 2014 outside linebacker Kevin Mouhon (Norcross, Ga./Norcross).
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Mouhon becomes the 14th junior from the Peach State to be offered by the Buckeyes and the third from Norcross. Incidentally, the other two are running back Myles Autry and defensive end Lorenzo Carter.
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#BlueChipBattles: Dec. 21
December, 21, 2012
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comReuben Foster (center) is torn between good friends Dee Liner (left) and Tray Matthews (right).No. 1 ILB Reuben Foster has voiced his desire to play with at least one of his SEC-bound friends next season. But will he follow Tray Matthews to Georgia or hook up with Dee Liner wherever the ESPN 150 DL settles? It remains to be seen, but the mystery surrounding his recruitment keeps Foster at the top of our #BlueChipBattles.
Each week, RecruitingNation summons its writers from around the country to compile a list of the top 10 battles for elite football recruits leading up to February's signing day.
Here are this week's top battles
, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 30
November, 30, 2012
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comCarl Lawson, Dee Linerand Reuben Foster are still committed to Auburn, but the Tigers' coaching situation could change things for the three ESPN 150 recruits.Auburn bid farewell to head coach Gene Chizik on Sunday. Could the Tigers also be saying goodbye to a trio of ESPN 150 recruits who could take their talents elsewhere?
Each week, RecruitingNation summons its writers from around the country to compile a list of the top 10 battles for elite football recruits leading up to February's signing day.
Here are this week's top battles
, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.
The weather at Ohio State was a bit startling for defensive end Da'Shawn Hand, who is expected to be one of the prospects in the nation for the 2014 class.
"It was very cold!!!" the junior defensive end from Woodbridge (Va.) stated to ESPN via text message on Sunday after watching the Buckeyes beat Michigan 26-21 on Saturday. "... but the stadium was nice."
The temperature at game time for Hand's visit was in the mid-30s. When asked what else stood out about the visit, Hand stated, "A lot of die-hard fans [and] great tradition."
"It was very cold!!!" the junior defensive end from Woodbridge (Va.) stated to ESPN via text message on Sunday after watching the Buckeyes beat Michigan 26-21 on Saturday. "... but the stadium was nice."
The temperature at game time for Hand's visit was in the mid-30s. When asked what else stood out about the visit, Hand stated, "A lot of die-hard fans [and] great tradition."
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#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 16
November, 16, 2012
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comUncommitted 2013 running backs Alvin Kamara and Derrick Green.ESPN 100 running backs Alvin Kamara and Derrick Green can score from anywhere on the field thanks to their breakaway speed, an attribute that makes them very attractive recruits to the Oregon Ducks. Oregon's pursuit of the duo headlines this week’s #BlueChipBattles.
Click through for our list to rank the top 10 recruiting battles
.Watch List RB Myles Autry has top three
November, 15, 2012
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Myles Autry (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) didn’t waste much time in naming his top three as interest continues to mount for the ESPN Watch List junior.
With offers from Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Syracuse, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, the 6-foot, 175-pound running back could have waited before trimming his list.
He had Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Maryland, Oklahoma and Oregon showing interest as well.
With offers from Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Syracuse, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, the 6-foot, 175-pound running back could have waited before trimming his list.
He had Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Maryland, Oklahoma and Oregon showing interest as well.
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LB Mike Mitchell focused on playoffs
November, 15, 2012
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Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
As the Oregon Ducks try to piece together a huge recruiting weekend, one of the rumored visitors was LB Mike Mitchell of Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian Academy. The No. 121 player in the ESPN 150 has the Ducks among his top four schools, along with Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. The Ducks currently trail favorite Ohio State, as well as the Sooners and the Aggies, and seem like a long shot. By Mitchell's own admission, the Ducks are running fourth, but mostly due to the fact that he knows less about them than his other finalists.
Mitchell was rumored to be heading to Oregon for an official visit this weekend. But like so many other potential visitors, Mitchell is focused on the playoffs and will not make the trip to Eugene according to his father, Ken.
"I'm not sure where that rumor came from really. He is only focused on football right now. During the football season it's really just school work and football for Mike," Ken Mitchell said. "I believe he has been in contact with Oregon but he will not be visiting there this weekend or any other weekend until his season is over."
Mitchell was rumored to be heading to Oregon for an official visit this weekend. But like so many other potential visitors, Mitchell is focused on the playoffs and will not make the trip to Eugene according to his father, Ken.
"I'm not sure where that rumor came from really. He is only focused on football right now. During the football season it's really just school work and football for Mike," Ken Mitchell said. "I believe he has been in contact with Oregon but he will not be visiting there this weekend or any other weekend until his season is over."
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OSU in mix for ESPN 150 WR Cunningham
November, 9, 2012
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Corey Long | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 wide receiver Jordan Cunningham (Davie, Fla./University School) will be taking advantage of his team’s bye week to take an official visit to Stanford.
The Cardinal have been considered one of the favorites for the 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior for several months.
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Tom Hauck for ESPN.comMax Redfield is out at USC -- is Leon McQuay in?.
You can also rank the battles this week in SportsNation.
ABOUT BUCKEYE NATION
Austin Ward
Austin Ward joined ESPN.com in 2012 after five years as a college football writer at the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune and the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel. The award-winning journalist lives with his wife in Columbus, Ohio. Email him at ajward.espn@gmail.com.
Brad Bournival
Brad Bournival, a lifetime Northeast Ohio resident, joined ESPN in 2012 and is the recruiting writer for BuckeyeNation. He has covered sports at the professional, college and high school level for 16 years. Recently, Bournival was a freelance writer for The Plain Dealer, The Medina Gazette and SportsInk.com. Email him at bradbournival.espn@gmail.com.