Ohio State offers WR Demarre Kitt 
November, 13, 2012
11/13/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
It didn’t take long for Ohio State to offer ESPN Watch List junior Demarre Kitt (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek).
In return, it didn’t take long for the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Kitt to put the Buckeyes in his top three along with Clemson and USC.
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Michigan visit to clear picture for DB West
November, 13, 2012
11/13/12
6:13
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
This weekend will be big for ESPN Watch List safety Darius West (Lima, Ohio/Lima Central Catholic). It is not a regional final like he hoped, but Saturday he will get a better feel for where he stands with one program he considered to be in his top two this summer.
Michigan was West’s favorite along with Ohio State when both were heavily interested this summer, but as contact with the Wolverines staff has tapered off so has West’s feelings for the program.
He will get a better understanding as to how the coaches view him Saturday when he visits Ann Arbor when the Wolverines host Iowa.
Michigan was West’s favorite along with Ohio State when both were heavily interested this summer, but as contact with the Wolverines staff has tapered off so has West’s feelings for the program.
He will get a better understanding as to how the coaches view him Saturday when he visits Ann Arbor when the Wolverines host Iowa.
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Video: Watch List S Montae Nicholson
November, 13, 2012
11/13/12
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By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
ESPN Watch List safety Montae Nicholson (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) holds nearly a dozen offers, including ones from Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Pitt. Nicholson talks about his recruitment with Josh Moyer.
Sebastian LaRue cancels Ohio State trip
November, 13, 2012
11/13/12
11:37
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By
Blair Angulo | ESPN.com
Four-star receiver Sebastian LaRue (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica) remained committed to USC following his weekend trip to Washington State. Despite chilly temperatures in Pullman, Wash., the ESPN 150 receiver thoroughly enjoyed his first official visit but returned home Monday night as an unwavering member of the Trojans recruiting class.
“My trip was nice,” LaRue said. “It was cold, but it was definitely a nice trip.”
LaRue added he might still consider Washington State if he decides to change his commitment in the next few months.
“My trip was nice,” LaRue said. “It was cold, but it was definitely a nice trip.”
LaRue added he might still consider Washington State if he decides to change his commitment in the next few months.
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Just-missed kids among OSU targets?
November, 13, 2012
11/13/12
10:00
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
If Ohio State didn’t have the limits it does because of NCAA sanctions, many of the names below would probably be in its recruiting class of 2013.
Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they’re in a numbers crunch in terms of how many recruits will be in their class next fall, so there will be some who usually would play in The Horseshoe that won’t be in scarlet and gray.
On Monday, BuckeyeNation broke down the six we think will be Ohio State Buckeyes.
Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they’re in a numbers crunch in terms of how many recruits will be in their class next fall, so there will be some who usually would play in The Horseshoe that won’t be in scarlet and gray.
On Monday, BuckeyeNation broke down the six we think will be Ohio State Buckeyes.
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Visits to other schools and Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) appear to be getting closer to reality as the Michigan commit has not backed off talk about doing the one thing Wolverines coach Brady Hoke considers taboo.
The feeling in Ann Arbor, Mich., is if a commit takes a visit elsewhere, he’s no longer a Michigan man.
Two weeks ago, Conley said he might take visits to Ohio State and Oregon. The Buckeyes are recruiting the ESPN 150 cornerback as an athlete. The Ducks have shown serious interest.
The feeling in Ann Arbor, Mich., is if a commit takes a visit elsewhere, he’s no longer a Michigan man.
Two weeks ago, Conley said he might take visits to Ohio State and Oregon. The Buckeyes are recruiting the ESPN 150 cornerback as an athlete. The Ducks have shown serious interest.
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Ezekiel Elliott (St. Louis/John Burroughs).
Enough said really.
The 6-foot, 205-pound running back scored his 92nd, 93rd and 94th career touchdowns to lead the Bombers to another Class 3A state semifinal. This time it came in a 24-0 win over Park Hills Central as Elliott rushed for 177 yards and the aforementioned three scores.
Enough said really.
The 6-foot, 205-pound running back scored his 92nd, 93rd and 94th career touchdowns to lead the Bombers to another Class 3A state semifinal. This time it came in a 24-0 win over Park Hills Central as Elliott rushed for 177 yards and the aforementioned three scores.
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Rounding out Ohio State's 2013 class
November, 12, 2012
11/12/12
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Fans and foes alike will know what Ohio State’s 2013 recruiting class looks like in three months.
While the remaining names aren’t foreign to those following closely, BuckeyeNation crunched the numbers and came up with possibly six spots remaining to round things out.
There are ESPN 150 and ESPN 300 athletes strewn throughout the list. If Ohio State is looking to move up in the class rankings, it will need to sign a majority of them. That will leave a few good athletes on the outside looking in.
While the remaining names aren’t foreign to those following closely, BuckeyeNation crunched the numbers and came up with possibly six spots remaining to round things out.
There are ESPN 150 and ESPN 300 athletes strewn throughout the list. If Ohio State is looking to move up in the class rankings, it will need to sign a majority of them. That will leave a few good athletes on the outside looking in.
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Big Ten in the polls: Michigan returns
November, 11, 2012
11/11/12
7:02
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By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
The latest national rankings are out, and the Michigan Wolverines are back in.
Michigan returned to both the AP and coaches' polls Sunday following its dramatic overtime win Saturday against Northwestern. The Wolverines, who had been out of the rankings following their Oct. 27 loss to Nebraska, come in at No. 23 in both polls. Brady Hoke's crew is one of two new entries to the AP poll (Kent State the other).
Nebraska moved up two spots in each poll, rising from No. 18 to No. 16 in the AP and from No. 16 to No. 14 in the coaches'. Ohio State, idle in Week 11, dropped a spot to No. 6 in the AP Top 25 after being tied with Georgia at No. 5 in the previous poll. The coaches' poll doesn't rank Ohio State because of the team's NCAA sanctions.
Despite a 10-0 record, Urban Meyer's team sits behind two SEC teams (Alabama and Georgia) with one loss. It'll be interesting to see if the Buckeyes can crack the top 3 or 4 even if they finish undefeated.
Wisconsin is second among teams also receiving votes in the coaches' poll and fourth in the AP poll. Northwestern also is receiving a few votes in both polls.
Here are the latest rankings:
AP
No. 6 Ohio State (last week: 5)
No. 16 Nebraska (last week: 18)
No. 23 Michigan (last week: not ranked)
Wisconsin and Northwestern receiving votes
Coaches'
No. 14 Nebraska (last week: 16)
No. 16 Michigan (last week: not ranked)
Wisconsin and Northwestern receiving votes
Michigan returned to both the AP and coaches' polls Sunday following its dramatic overtime win Saturday against Northwestern. The Wolverines, who had been out of the rankings following their Oct. 27 loss to Nebraska, come in at No. 23 in both polls. Brady Hoke's crew is one of two new entries to the AP poll (Kent State the other).
Nebraska moved up two spots in each poll, rising from No. 18 to No. 16 in the AP and from No. 16 to No. 14 in the coaches'. Ohio State, idle in Week 11, dropped a spot to No. 6 in the AP Top 25 after being tied with Georgia at No. 5 in the previous poll. The coaches' poll doesn't rank Ohio State because of the team's NCAA sanctions.
Despite a 10-0 record, Urban Meyer's team sits behind two SEC teams (Alabama and Georgia) with one loss. It'll be interesting to see if the Buckeyes can crack the top 3 or 4 even if they finish undefeated.
Wisconsin is second among teams also receiving votes in the coaches' poll and fourth in the AP poll. Northwestern also is receiving a few votes in both polls.
Here are the latest rankings:
AP
No. 6 Ohio State (last week: 5)
No. 16 Nebraska (last week: 18)
No. 23 Michigan (last week: not ranked)
Wisconsin and Northwestern receiving votes
Coaches'
No. 14 Nebraska (last week: 16)
No. 16 Michigan (last week: not ranked)
Wisconsin and Northwestern receiving votes
Devin Smith sees Ohio State targets shine
November, 11, 2012
11/11/12
2:46
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
There is no doubt Devin Smith will have plenty to tell Urban Meyer at practice this week. On hand Saturday to watch his alma mater Massillon (Ohio) Washington play Canton McKinley in a Division I, Region 2 semifinal, the Ohio State wide receiver saw plenty in the 123rd meeting between the two longtime rivals in a game loaded with Buckeyes targets.
While all aren’t sure-fire possible pledges, Ohio State has some interest in McKinley quarterback Eric Glover-Williams and linebacker Jamal Davis as well as the Massillon quartet of cornerback Gareon Conley, offensive tackle Chase Lash, wide receiver Marcus Whitfield and offensive guard Nathaniel Devers.
What Smith saw even more was his Tigers one-up the Bulldogs 28-19 in a game that wasn’t that close. Massillon had 413 total yards of offense and held Glover-Williams to 30 yards rushing. Conley snared four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.
While all aren’t sure-fire possible pledges, Ohio State has some interest in McKinley quarterback Eric Glover-Williams and linebacker Jamal Davis as well as the Massillon quartet of cornerback Gareon Conley, offensive tackle Chase Lash, wide receiver Marcus Whitfield and offensive guard Nathaniel Devers.
What Smith saw even more was his Tigers one-up the Bulldogs 28-19 in a game that wasn’t that close. Massillon had 413 total yards of offense and held Glover-Williams to 30 yards rushing. Conley snared four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.
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Gareon Conley on visits: 'I'm going to do it'
November, 11, 2012
11/11/12
1:49
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Visits to other schools and Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) appear to be getting closer to reality as the Michigan commit has not backed off talk about doing the one thing Wolverines coach Brady Hoke considers taboo.
The feeling in Ann Arbor, Mich., is if a commit takes a visit elsewhere, he’s no longer a Michigan man.
Two weeks ago, Conley said he might take visits to Ohio State and Oregon. The Buckeyes are recruiting the ESPN 150 cornerback as an athlete. The Ducks have shown serious interest.
The feeling in Ann Arbor, Mich., is if a commit takes a visit elsewhere, he’s no longer a Michigan man.
Two weeks ago, Conley said he might take visits to Ohio State and Oregon. The Buckeyes are recruiting the ESPN 150 cornerback as an athlete. The Ducks have shown serious interest.
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ATH Deddrick Thomas makes travel plans
November, 11, 2012
11/11/12
1:11
PM ET
By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Deddrick Thomas is starting to lay out some visit plans.
The sophomore athlete from Memphis (Tenn.) Central will visit UCLA and USC in January, Ohio State in the summer and, eventually, Ole Miss, according to Central coach Bryan Williams. The Rebels, who are about a 90-minute drive from Memphis, have been the most aggressive.
"Right now, Ole Miss is the strongest on him right now," Williams said of the sophomore.
The sophomore athlete from Memphis (Tenn.) Central will visit UCLA and USC in January, Ohio State in the summer and, eventually, Ole Miss, according to Central coach Bryan Williams. The Rebels, who are about a 90-minute drive from Memphis, have been the most aggressive.
"Right now, Ole Miss is the strongest on him right now," Williams said of the sophomore.
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RB Derrell Scott visits only one school
November, 11, 2012
11/11/12
11:41
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By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
A visit from Derrell Scott should only reinforce the Gamecocks' position as an early leader for his services. It once seemed shaky. Now, not so much.
After saying this summer that South Carolina was the school that impressed him the most, Scott named a top three last month. The Gamecocks were part of the trio. So were Ohio State and Florida State, which would make one wonder if the competition was creeping up on South Carolina.
Based on his visits this fall, that doesn't seem to be the case. The ESPN Watch List prospect made only one visit this fall and has no plans to make anymore. The one trip was to South Carolina for the Gamecocks' 35-7 win over Georgia in Columbia. Worth noting is that he's been to Columbia multiple times.
After saying this summer that South Carolina was the school that impressed him the most, Scott named a top three last month. The Gamecocks were part of the trio. So were Ohio State and Florida State, which would make one wonder if the competition was creeping up on South Carolina.
Based on his visits this fall, that doesn't seem to be the case. The ESPN Watch List prospect made only one visit this fall and has no plans to make anymore. The one trip was to South Carolina for the Gamecocks' 35-7 win over Georgia in Columbia. Worth noting is that he's been to Columbia multiple times.
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What we learned in the Big Ten: Week 11
November, 11, 2012
11/11/12
10:00
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By
Brian Bennett and
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Lessons learned from Week 11 in the Big Ten:
1. A Wisconsin-Nebraska title game looks very likely: Wisconsin and Nebraska opened the Big Ten season under the lights in Lincoln on Sept. 29. The Badgers and Huskers probably will close out the conference season Dec. 1 in Indianapolis. Wisconsin punched its ticket for the Big Ten title game Saturday by crushing Indiana 62-14. Montee Ball and the Badgers rushed for a team-record 564 yards -- the highest total in Big Ten play since 1975 -- and completed a rough road back to Indy with a very easy final leg. Nebraska and Michigan remain tied atop the Legends division, but the Huskers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker and took a big step toward Lucas Oil Stadium with another come-from-behind victory Saturday against Penn State. Nebraska once again overcame mistakes and turned in a big second half to remain perfect at home this season. If the Huskers take care of Minnesota at home and Iowa on the road, they'll head to Indianapolis, regardless of what Michigan does in its final two games. These two teams provided plenty of excitement in their first meeting, and it looks as though they'll be reuniting in three weeks.
1. A Wisconsin-Nebraska title game looks very likely: Wisconsin and Nebraska opened the Big Ten season under the lights in Lincoln on Sept. 29. The Badgers and Huskers probably will close out the conference season Dec. 1 in Indianapolis. Wisconsin punched its ticket for the Big Ten title game Saturday by crushing Indiana 62-14. Montee Ball and the Badgers rushed for a team-record 564 yards -- the highest total in Big Ten play since 1975 -- and completed a rough road back to Indy with a very easy final leg. Nebraska and Michigan remain tied atop the Legends division, but the Huskers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker and took a big step toward Lucas Oil Stadium with another come-from-behind victory Saturday against Penn State. Nebraska once again overcame mistakes and turned in a big second half to remain perfect at home this season. If the Huskers take care of Minnesota at home and Iowa on the road, they'll head to Indianapolis, regardless of what Michigan does in its final two games. These two teams provided plenty of excitement in their first meeting, and it looks as though they'll be reuniting in three weeks.
Across The Field: Leaders champs
November, 11, 2012
11/11/12
9:00
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By
Scott Kendrick | ESPN.com
It was a week off, and the Buckeyes clinched a championship. After Penn State's loss at Nebraska, the Buckeyes are two games up in the Leaders Division with two to play, which means the worst that can happen is a tie for the division title with Wisconsin and/or Penn State, and the Badgers are already assured of playing in the league title game. Anyhow, with a week off, the Buckeyes rested and the coaches went on the road to recruit. Welcome to Across The Field, a regular feature on BuckeyeNation where we point you to noteworthy Buckeyes coverage here and elsewhere. Think something should be included? Send it to espnkendrick@gmail.com.
BuckeyeNation Week in Review
- Brad Bournival might have been the hardest working man in BuckeyeNation this week with a the recruiting news buzzing in a busy week.
- ESPN 150 OT Dorian Johnson will have at least two more visits to Columbus before a decision, which is a good sign.
- The 10-0 start does a lot for the coaches' pitches to recruits this week.
- Joey Bosa is poised to come to Ohio State out of one of the country's best high school programs.
- The Buckeyes have a good shot to finish strong, writes Jeremy Crabtree in Fact or Fiction.
- A 2013 ESPN 150 receiver from Florida is quietly in the mix as well.
- Ohio State extended offers in the 2014 class to LB Nyles Morgan, RB Nick Chubb and LB Dillon Bates and another to 2015 RB Damien Harris.
- 2014 QB Drew Barker doesn't have an offer yet, but he received a visit.
- Urban Meyer went to Northeast Ohio early in the week, and to Georgia late in the week, to Atlanta and its suburbs.
- Still no word from WR Thaddeus Snodgrass, who should announce soon.
- The new ESPN 150/300 is out, and the Buckeyes have 11 in the top 300.
- Raekwon McMillan went to Florida for a visit, and he said the Buckeyes still lead.
- Bournival's Offered series continued with Johnson, DT Donovan Munger and OT Jimmy Byrne.
- Byrne is watching the Buckeyes closely, even though he can't watch them in person.
- And in the 2016 class (yes, that's high school freshmen), Ohio State already sees massive potential in the brother of a 2013 pledge.
- On the current team, Etienne Sabino is on track for a return at Wisconsin, and he might not recognize some new parts of the defense.
- Where would the Buckeyes be in the BCS if they were eligible? Probably not in great shape among the remaining unbeatens, writes Brian Fremeau.
- Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde are bringing back memories of Archie Griffin and Pete Johnson.
- Noah Spence had a tough middle of the season, but is coming along.
- The easy win over Illinois gave freshmen some good playing time.
- Austin Ward looked at the five most impressive statistical performances this season:
- Braxton Miller's show against UCF
- Ryan Shazier's breakout against Cal
- John Simon's dominance against Nebraska
- Carlos Hyde's touchdown party
- Bradley Roby's tip drill
More Football
- Could Jim Tressel end up at Kentucky? (Dispatch, $)
- And Tressel will attend the Michigan game. (WBNS, Land Grant Holy Land)
- Ten reasons why this year's team should be enjoyed. (Eleven Warriors)
- Going undefeated next year will be a lot tougher, writes Rob Oller. (Dispatch, $)
- Braxton Miller doesn't like talking about himself. (Lantern)
Basketball
- The court wasn't ship shape in Charleston, so the opener is now at home against Albany on Sunday.
- Toledo Whitmer's Nigel Hayes is down to the Buckeyes and Wisconsin.
- The Buckeyes didn't get to play, but the trip still meant something, writes Bob Hunter. (Dispatch, $)
- Ohio State might have trouble finding ways to score, writes Doug Lesmerises. (Plain Dealer)
- Thad Matta thinks he'll be doing a lot more mixing and matching with the lineup this season. (Lantern)
- Jared Sullinger is finding a role in the NBA already.
- The OSU women made a solid comeback against Notre Dame before losing on the Yorktown. (Lantern)
The Gang's All Here
- At the Carrier Classic, the two basketball-playing Crafts honored their brother, who is serving in Afghanistan. (Lantern)
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.