Ohio State head Urban Meyer certainly made a strong impression on 2014 offensive tackle prospect Alex Bars during a Sunday evening phone conversation.
"It was great," the junior from Nashville Montgomery Bell Academy said of the chat. "He asked about our whole family first."
Bars, who recently picked up a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes, said Meyer asked him how the program ranks with the other schools he's considering.
"It was great," the junior from Nashville Montgomery Bell Academy said of the chat. "He asked about our whole family first."
Bars, who recently picked up a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes, said Meyer asked him how the program ranks with the other schools he's considering.
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Ezekiel Elliott gearing up for Buckeyes 
September, 26, 2012
9/26/12
12:55
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
The courting from college programs continues for ESPN 300 running back Ezekiel Elliott (St. Louis/John Burroughs), but the Ohio State commit reconfirmed his pledge to the Buckeyes late Tuesday and said he is using his senior season to fully prepare for college football.
Elliott, a four-star running back and the nation’s top-ranked player in the state of Missouri, said he will take an unofficial visit to Columbus, Ohio, the weekend of Oct. 6 to watch the Buckeyes host Nebraska. Elliott (No. 175 in the ESPN 300) also will set up an official visit to Ohio State after his senior season.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nobody has put more true freshmen on the field than Ohio State.
Ultimately the Buckeyes are expecting that to pay big dividends with those 15 players. In the short term, there will be some growing pains that make it hard to find many meaningful contributions on the stats sheet.
For the second week in a row, the newcomers played their parts on special teams and chipped in a couple tackles covering kicks. An exciting young receiver broke through for his first catch as he tries to make a move for more playing time.
But other than that, Ohio State largely needed the veterans to do the heavy lifting in a 29-15 win over UAB, and given a few breakdowns in the third phase of the game, coach Urban Meyer might actually be scaling back some of the reps for the freshmen for the time being.
"We're starting I think six or seven true freshmen on kickoff right now, and it’s probably too many," Meyer said. "I’m going to readjust that and take a look at it.
"Just trying to get those young guys in the game a little bit."
The Buckeyes figure to eventually need them to chip in more on offense and defense as the season progresses, and there have been a handful showing signs of getting close to do it. In this week's look at the freshman class, two guys make their first appearance in representing the offense and the defense as Ohio State keeps maintaining the balance of winning now and building for the future.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Ultimately the Buckeyes are expecting that to pay big dividends with those 15 players. In the short term, there will be some growing pains that make it hard to find many meaningful contributions on the stats sheet.
For the second week in a row, the newcomers played their parts on special teams and chipped in a couple tackles covering kicks. An exciting young receiver broke through for his first catch as he tries to make a move for more playing time.
But other than that, Ohio State largely needed the veterans to do the heavy lifting in a 29-15 win over UAB, and given a few breakdowns in the third phase of the game, coach Urban Meyer might actually be scaling back some of the reps for the freshmen for the time being.
"We're starting I think six or seven true freshmen on kickoff right now, and it’s probably too many," Meyer said. "I’m going to readjust that and take a look at it.
"Just trying to get those young guys in the game a little bit."
The Buckeyes figure to eventually need them to chip in more on offense and defense as the season progresses, and there have been a handful showing signs of getting close to do it. In this week's look at the freshman class, two guys make their first appearance in representing the offense and the defense as Ohio State keeps maintaining the balance of winning now and building for the future.
MICHAEL THOMAS
- Position: Wide receiver
- Stats sheet: One catch for 6 yards
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Todd McShay discusses his top five Heisman Trophy candidates -- Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o, West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein, Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones and an honorable mention for Florida State quarterbak EJ Manuel.
College GameDay's Kirk Herbstreit went on Mike & Mike in the Morning to talk some college football, touching on Saturday's Ohio State-Michigan State game, Alabama's potential, his expectations for USC, the best rivalries in college football and more. Listen here 
Safety Montae Nicholson nabs OSU offer
September, 26, 2012
9/26/12
10:38
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Montae Nicholson (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) thought an offer from Ohio State might be coming when he talked to ESPN Midwest recruiting analyst Jared Shanker three weeks ago.
Late Tuesday night, the school he’s been hoping would offer him pulled the trigger when the Buckeyes made the call.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Nicholson went to Ohio State for the season opener against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 1 and all it did was reaffirm what he already thought: The Buckeyes were a school he definitely wanted to continue to draw interest from.
Late Tuesday night, the school he’s been hoping would offer him pulled the trigger when the Buckeyes made the call.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Nicholson went to Ohio State for the season opener against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 1 and all it did was reaffirm what he already thought: The Buckeyes were a school he definitely wanted to continue to draw interest from.
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Dante Sawyer grabs Ohio State offer
September, 25, 2012
9/25/12
10:01
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Just because Ohio State has had two straight successful recruiting classes along the defensive front doesn’t mean Urban Meyer is satisfied.
The ball coach dipped into an area he knows a lot about and offered Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive end has turned it up in September and is drawing rave revues in the recruiting world.
The ball coach dipped into an area he knows a lot about and offered Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive end has turned it up in September and is drawing rave revues in the recruiting world.
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James Quick eyes OSU visit; has top 3
September, 25, 2012
9/25/12
4:26
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- Kept relatively quiet for most of the game against Cathedral, ESPN 150 receiver James Quick (Louisville/Trinity) showed in a matter of seconds in the fourth quarter why he is one of the country's most explosive playmakers.
On the first play of a drive that followed a Cathedral touchdown to cut Trinity's lead to 1, Quick caught a bubble screen behind the line of scrimmage and went 72 yards for a touchdown, putting the game out of reach.
"We've been running it in practice the last couple years and it's been a success, and once you see open daylight you've got to take it," said Quick, who finished with eight catches for 162 yards.
On the first play of a drive that followed a Cathedral touchdown to cut Trinity's lead to 1, Quick caught a bubble screen behind the line of scrimmage and went 72 yards for a touchdown, putting the game out of reach.
"We've been running it in practice the last couple years and it's been a success, and once you see open daylight you've got to take it," said Quick, who finished with eight catches for 162 yards.
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Tuesday briefing: Bucks gear up for Big Ten test
September, 25, 2012
9/25/12
2:54
PM ET
By
Austin Ward | ESPN.com
Jamie Sabau/Getty ImagesRyan Shazier's 40 tackles are good for third in the Big Ten, but the sophomore linebacker will be tested Saturday by a physical Michigan State team.Strong WILL: The results came right away after Ryan Shazier was plugged into the lineup late last season as a true freshman, and the Buckeyes linebacker has picked up right where he left off as a reliable tackling machine this season.
But even with a couple of Big Ten games under his belt a year ago and four non-conference starts to prove his breakout performances then were no fluke, none of those games might have offered quite the kind of test waiting for him at Michigan State this weekend.
And that might turn Meyer's debut in the league into something of a litmus test for his leading tackler against a traditional offense that will likely put more pressure on Shazier than he's previously had to deal with in his young career.
"It’s a much different game than he’s been asked to play," Meyer said. "We’ve faced a lot of the isolation teams, which means they’re trying to isolate you in space and throwing the bubble screens and quick screens and all that, so this will be a different type of ball game.
"Is he ready for this? He better be."
2014 safety Rashaan Gaulden talks visits
September, 25, 2012
9/25/12
2:54
PM ET
By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Rashaan Gaulden's Saturday afternoons are quickly becoming as busy as his Friday nights.
Of course, Gaulden plays football on Fridays for Nashville (Tenn.) Independence. On Saturdays, he's watching football at various locations. The 2014 prospect has already visited Tennessee this fall for the Florida game. He said he'll make a return trip to Knoxville on Oct. 20 for the Alabama game.
“I think highly of them,” the safety prospect said of the Vols. “I went to the game against Florida and the atmosphere was pretty hyped, so that made them climb my chart. I'm looking forward to going back there for the Alabama game.”
Of course, Gaulden plays football on Fridays for Nashville (Tenn.) Independence. On Saturdays, he's watching football at various locations. The 2014 prospect has already visited Tennessee this fall for the Florida game. He said he'll make a return trip to Knoxville on Oct. 20 for the Alabama game.
“I think highly of them,” the safety prospect said of the Vols. “I went to the game against Florida and the atmosphere was pretty hyped, so that made them climb my chart. I'm looking forward to going back there for the Alabama game.”
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Alex Bars' trip to South Bend was a chance to double up. The junior offensive tackle from Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery was checking out the hometown team, Notre Dame, and the visiting Michigan Wolverines.
“It was fun,” Bars said. “The game was great. Kind of indifferent who won it.”
Bars has ties to both schools. His brother, Blake Bars, is a freshman offensive lineman for Michigan. Yet there's also a strong tie to the Fighting Irish.
“It was fun,” Bars said. “The game was great. Kind of indifferent who won it.”
Bars has ties to both schools. His brother, Blake Bars, is a freshman offensive lineman for Michigan. Yet there's also a strong tie to the Fighting Irish.
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USC commit Jason Hatcher making visits
September, 25, 2012
9/25/12
2:19
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- Louisville (Ky.) Trinity defensive end and Jason Hatcher committed to USC two months ago and is adamant that he is solid to the Trojans, but the ESPN 300 prospect wants to take all five of his official visits.
Hatcher, ranked the nation's No. 288 overall recruit by ESPN, committed to USC over Florida, Louisville and Tennessee, and he plans to visit two of those other programs. One more school is definitely in the running, and he is looking for a fourth to complete his five visits, with USC getting the last one.
"I've been talking to Florida. I know I'll probably go up to Ohio State. I know I'm going to USC. Those are the only ones I know for sure," he said. "I'll probably go to Tennessee as well."
Hatcher, ranked the nation's No. 288 overall recruit by ESPN, committed to USC over Florida, Louisville and Tennessee, and he plans to visit two of those other programs. One more school is definitely in the running, and he is looking for a fourth to complete his five visits, with USC getting the last one.
"I've been talking to Florida. I know I'll probably go up to Ohio State. I know I'm going to USC. Those are the only ones I know for sure," he said. "I'll probably go to Tennessee as well."
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ESPN 150 DB Vonn Bell talks top three
September, 25, 2012
9/25/12
9:20
AM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
Earlier this month, ESPN 150 defensive back Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland) announced via his head coach that he had a top three of Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee. On Friday, Bell discussed why each college was atop his list of offers under consideration.
Alabama: “They are the No. 1 team in the nation. Coach Nick Saban is about business. He knows what it takes to get his guys to the next level. And you know they are going to get the job done. They bring in elite players and they are national championship winners. That is all I can say.”
Ohio State: “You saw what Coach Urban Meyer was able to do at Florida. He took a break, but all I see is a national championship in the Buckeyes’ future. I know he is going to bring in elite players and do it big there. I just spoke to Coach (Everett) Withers Thursday, and he wished me good luck in my game. He wished he could be down here to watch me, but he said he would be down during their bye week. As far as distance is concerned, you have to become a man one day, so at some point it is time to get out of the house. This is a business, so if you want to get to the next level you have to do whatever it takes and whatever is best for you.”
Alabama: “They are the No. 1 team in the nation. Coach Nick Saban is about business. He knows what it takes to get his guys to the next level. And you know they are going to get the job done. They bring in elite players and they are national championship winners. That is all I can say.”
Ohio State: “You saw what Coach Urban Meyer was able to do at Florida. He took a break, but all I see is a national championship in the Buckeyes’ future. I know he is going to bring in elite players and do it big there. I just spoke to Coach (Everett) Withers Thursday, and he wished me good luck in my game. He wished he could be down here to watch me, but he said he would be down during their bye week. As far as distance is concerned, you have to become a man one day, so at some point it is time to get out of the house. This is a business, so if you want to get to the next level you have to do whatever it takes and whatever is best for you.”
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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A glance at the Ohio State players named to preseason watch lists and how they performed in a 29-15 win over UAB on Saturday:
QB Braxton Miller, So. (Maxwell, O'Brien): The load was a bit lighter on the ground, and with fewer carries came a dip in yardage for the dual-threat quarterback. But Miller was still dynamic and helped will the Buckeyes through a rough spell with a pair of rushing touchdowns, a two-point conversion and 143 passing yards.
QB Braxton Miller, So. (Maxwell, O'Brien): The load was a bit lighter on the ground, and with fewer carries came a dip in yardage for the dual-threat quarterback. But Miller was still dynamic and helped will the Buckeyes through a rough spell with a pair of rushing touchdowns, a two-point conversion and 143 passing yards.
Scott, Horton put OSU in final three
September, 24, 2012
9/24/12
9:34
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Ohio State picked up good news in the class of 2014 when some of the bigger names at running back trimmed their list to three and included Ohio State.
Derrell Scott (Havelock, N.C./Havelock) and Mikel Horton (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) like what they see in the Buckeyes as they move forward in the recruiting process.
Scott has offers from all three of his top choices and has narrowed things down to Florida State, Ohio State and South Carolina.
Derrell Scott (Havelock, N.C./Havelock) and Mikel Horton (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) like what they see in the Buckeyes as they move forward in the recruiting process.
Scott has offers from all three of his top choices and has narrowed things down to Florida State, Ohio State and South Carolina.
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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.