OSU Buckeyes: Virginia Cavaliers
It was a Thursday night in late April and Alex Bookser (Pittsburgh/Mount Lebanon) was watching the NFL draft. A 6-foot-6, 295-pound prospect, Bookser is being recruited as a lineman on both sides of the ball.
Bookser was an offensive lineman by the end of the night Thursday.
“Ever since I saw the draft I decided to go O-line,” said Bookser, referring to the run on tackles in the first round, including three among the first five picks. “That was the biggest draft I’ve ever seen, so I was like if I can get that far it’ll definitely pay off.”
With more than 20 offers to his name, Bookser was already being recruited mostly as an offensive tackle, where he is ranked No. 14 nationally. As a two-way player for Mount Lebanon, Bookser likes defense a little more because he can play with a little more emotion on the defensive line. He understands why coaches project him best on offense, though.
Bookser was an offensive lineman by the end of the night Thursday.
“Ever since I saw the draft I decided to go O-line,” said Bookser, referring to the run on tackles in the first round, including three among the first five picks. “That was the biggest draft I’ve ever seen, so I was like if I can get that far it’ll definitely pay off.”
With more than 20 offers to his name, Bookser was already being recruited mostly as an offensive tackle, where he is ranked No. 14 nationally. As a two-way player for Mount Lebanon, Bookser likes defense a little more because he can play with a little more emotion on the defensive line. He understands why coaches project him best on offense, though.
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The RN Top 10 will appear throughout the camp and combine season and rank prospects based strictly on their on-field performance at that particular event. It does not reflect their overall prospect ranking.
ASHBURN, Va. – The East Coast and mid-Atlantic states represented well on Sunday as eight players earned invites to The Opening at the Nike Football Training Camp outside of Washington, D.C. Defense ruled the day, led by two five-star prospects from Virginia.
10. Nick Scott
Fairfax (Va.) Fairfax |RB| 5-11, 180
Scott stood out among a field of backs who were overshadowed by the prospects at nearly every other position. He earned the attention of coaches for his strong play and versatility but missed the MVP award, which went to Vincent Lowe (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield), who also posted the top SPARQ score.
Scott committed to Penn State in February over an offer from Boston College.
ESPN national recruiting analyst Craig Haubert’s take: “He’s got a great frame, and what I like about him as a Penn State verbal, he’s a versatile player. He may not run by you, but he does a good job in route-running.”
ASHBURN, Va. – The East Coast and mid-Atlantic states represented well on Sunday as eight players earned invites to The Opening at the Nike Football Training Camp outside of Washington, D.C. Defense ruled the day, led by two five-star prospects from Virginia.
10. Nick Scott
Fairfax (Va.) Fairfax |RB| 5-11, 180
Scott stood out among a field of backs who were overshadowed by the prospects at nearly every other position. He earned the attention of coaches for his strong play and versatility but missed the MVP award, which went to Vincent Lowe (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield), who also posted the top SPARQ score.
Scott committed to Penn State in February over an offer from Boston College.
ESPN national recruiting analyst Craig Haubert’s take: “He’s got a great frame, and what I like about him as a Penn State verbal, he’s a versatile player. He may not run by you, but he does a good job in route-running.”
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Alex Bookser (Pittsburgh/Mt. Lebanon) was wandering the halls when his high school coach told him he had a phone call to make and to head to the athletics office. Ohio State wanted to get in touch with him.
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound two-way lineman was a little surprised. Not that the Buckeyes were interested but that his coach Mike Melnyk, a former Michigan placekicker, was telling him about it.
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound two-way lineman was a little surprised. Not that the Buckeyes were interested but that his coach Mike Melnyk, a former Michigan placekicker, was telling him about it.
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It won’t be much of a break for Braden Smith (Olathe, Kan./Olathe) in a few weeks.
Then again, one of the most sought-after offensive guards in the nation wants to make sure he’s making the right choice when it comes to colleges.
Then again, one of the most sought-after offensive guards in the nation wants to make sure he’s making the right choice when it comes to colleges.
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Juco offensive tackle sets official visit 
February, 22, 2013
Feb 22
5:52
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Sometimes recruiting is all about depth charts. When it comes to athletes at the junior college level, the need to start almost immediately is magnified, as many have three years to play two seasons.
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Watch List safety ready to reveal decision
February, 20, 2013
Feb 20
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Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
ESPN Watch List safety Quin Blanding (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) is ready to make his decision.
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Ohio State offers Watch List OT Gibbons
January, 30, 2013
Jan 30
11:06
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
There’s a shortage of offensive linemen in Columbus after the 2013 season. Urban Meyer knows it. That’s why the trenches are a point of interest for Ohio State in the 2014 recruiting class.
The Buckeyes offered their 19th offensive tackle from the junior class and their 21st offensive lineman overall.
The Buckeyes offered their 19th offensive tackle from the junior class and their 21st offensive lineman overall.
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Ohio State commit to take Missouri visit
January, 23, 2013
Jan 23
11:33
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
"Chill."
That was the word of an ESPN 150 running back to Ohio State fans about his upcoming official visit to Missouri.
That was the word of an ESPN 150 running back to Ohio State fans about his upcoming official visit to Missouri.
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ESPN 60 SF puts Ohio State among top six
January, 9, 2013
Jan 9
5:07
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Thad Matta was probably smiling around noon Wednesday afternoon, especially when the Ohio State basketball coach read what an ESPN 60 junior from Texas had to say about the Buckeyes.
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Bates turns heads at U.S. Army combine
January, 4, 2013
Jan 4
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO - - Bill Bates was a Tennessee Volunteer before he became one of the NFL’s pre-eminent special teams player during his 15-year career with the Dallas Cowboys.
His son, junior linebacker Dillon Bates (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Ponte Vedra), has a chance to follow in his footsteps. The Volunteers have already offered.
But the Bates’ have agreed to let Dillon blaze his own path and aren’t pushing him to go to Tennessee.
His son, junior linebacker Dillon Bates (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Ponte Vedra), has a chance to follow in his footsteps. The Volunteers have already offered.
But the Bates’ have agreed to let Dillon blaze his own path and aren’t pushing him to go to Tennessee.
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Malcolm Cook (Fork Union, Va./Fork Union) hasn't officially decommitted from Virginia following the firing of four assistants, but the safety said he's re-opening his recruitment.
In the last 48 hours, the prospect has received 11 offers and entertained visits and phone calls from the likes of Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and USC. He planned to speak with the Trojans after basketball practice Wednesday, and he chatted in-person with Penn State assistant Charles London on Tuesday.
"It doesn't really matter to me about other schools looking at me," he said, when asked whether this new attention was a consolation. "The reason I committed to Virginia was because of the defensive coordinator, Coach [Jim] Reid. So I was really hurt by Coach Reid not being there.
In the last 48 hours, the prospect has received 11 offers and entertained visits and phone calls from the likes of Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and USC. He planned to speak with the Trojans after basketball practice Wednesday, and he chatted in-person with Penn State assistant Charles London on Tuesday.
"It doesn't really matter to me about other schools looking at me," he said, when asked whether this new attention was a consolation. "The reason I committed to Virginia was because of the defensive coordinator, Coach [Jim] Reid. So I was really hurt by Coach Reid not being there.
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There must be something about Phoenix (Ariz.) Mountain Pointe High School that the Buckeyes like. Maybe it's the scenery.
Just days after offering 2013 offensive tackle Kenny Lacy, the Buckeyes were at it again, but this time it was two offers to Class of 2014 prospects.
The Buckeyes offered wide receiver Jalen Brown, who led the Pride to a Division I state runner-up finish, and offensive guard teammate Natrell Curtis.
Just days after offering 2013 offensive tackle Kenny Lacy, the Buckeyes were at it again, but this time it was two offers to Class of 2014 prospects.
The Buckeyes offered wide receiver Jalen Brown, who led the Pride to a Division I state runner-up finish, and offensive guard teammate Natrell Curtis.
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OSU visits Nick Glass, Nick Ruffin
November, 9, 2012
11/09/12
3:15
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Georgia got some love from Ohio State on Friday.
With ESPN Watch List quarterback DeShaun Watson (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville), ESPN 150 inside linebacker and Auburn commit Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett) and ESPN Watch List outside linebacker Korie Rogers (Buford, Ga./Buford) already paid a visit, the Buckeyes were at it again.
This time, Ohio State checked in with Georgia commit and ESPN 150 safety Nick Glass (Atlanta/St. Pius X) and his teammate cornerback Nick Ruffin.
With ESPN Watch List quarterback DeShaun Watson (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville), ESPN 150 inside linebacker and Auburn commit Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett) and ESPN Watch List outside linebacker Korie Rogers (Buford, Ga./Buford) already paid a visit, the Buckeyes were at it again.
This time, Ohio State checked in with Georgia commit and ESPN 150 safety Nick Glass (Atlanta/St. Pius X) and his teammate cornerback Nick Ruffin.
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Tom Hauck for ESPN.comMax Redfield is out at USC -- is Leon McQuay in?
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You can also rank the battles this week in SportsNation.
WR/S Marcus Whitfield favors Ohio State
October, 9, 2012
10/09/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
When bloodlines ooze scarlet and gray, it’s tough for family members not to think like a Buckeye.
Marcus Whitfield (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) has an offer from Toledo and interest from Michigan State, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Penn State and Virginia. But his grandfather Dave was a captain for the Buckeyes’ 1969 squad, so he’s grown up watching and rooting for the Buckeyes.
Marcus attended Ohio State’s Sept. 8 game against UCF and on Sept. 29 was in East Lansing, Mich., to see the Buckeyes play Michigan State. As a guest of the Spartans, Whitfield liked Michigan State, but he came away more impressed with his experience at Ohio State.
Marcus Whitfield (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) has an offer from Toledo and interest from Michigan State, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Penn State and Virginia. But his grandfather Dave was a captain for the Buckeyes’ 1969 squad, so he’s grown up watching and rooting for the Buckeyes.
Marcus attended Ohio State’s Sept. 8 game against UCF and on Sept. 29 was in East Lansing, Mich., to see the Buckeyes play Michigan State. As a guest of the Spartans, Whitfield liked Michigan State, but he came away more impressed with his experience at Ohio State.
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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.