OT Marcelys Jones grabs OSU offer 
September, 21, 2012
9/21/12
1:16
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Marcelys Jones (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville) had that sinking feeling Friday afternoon. Seconds later, the offensive tackle from the class of 2014 couldn’t stop smiling.
Headed to get something to eat, his high school principal pulled him aside and told Jones he needed to talk to him in his office.
Before the 6-foot-4, 325-pound Jones knew it, he had his first scholarship offer, and it was from Ohio State -- the very school he said five weeks ago was his dream school.
Headed to get something to eat, his high school principal pulled him aside and told Jones he needed to talk to him in his office.
Before the 6-foot-4, 325-pound Jones knew it, he had his first scholarship offer, and it was from Ohio State -- the very school he said five weeks ago was his dream school.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Join our ESPN.com college football experts as they preview Week 4.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at noon ET.
Don't forget to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family all week long @ESPNCFB and get your photos in our GameDay Live chat Saturday morning. Here are our previous tailgates.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at noon ET.
Don't forget to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family all week long @ESPNCFB and get your photos in our GameDay Live chat Saturday morning. Here are our previous tailgates.
Four downs: Keys for Ohio State-UAB
September, 21, 2012
9/21/12
11:10
AM ET
By
Austin Ward | ESPN.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Critical areas for the Buckeyes as they gear up for their last non-conference game of the season, Saturday's home date with UAB (TV: BTN, noon).
FIRST DOWN
Middle ground: The receivers on the perimeter are starting to command more attention in coverage, and defenses are already concerned about Braxton Miller's rushing ability.
FIRST DOWN
Middle ground: The receivers on the perimeter are starting to command more attention in coverage, and defenses are already concerned about Braxton Miller's rushing ability.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Jake McCrary humbled by OSU offer
September, 21, 2012
9/21/12
10:00
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
First and foremost, Jake McCrary (Miami/Coral Reef) is committed to the Florida State Seminoles.
But that doesn’t mean the junior wide receiver wasn’t thrilled when he picked up an offer from Ohio State.
“It means a lot,” McCrary said. “Ohio State is a great school. They have a great tradition and great academics.
But that doesn’t mean the junior wide receiver wasn’t thrilled when he picked up an offer from Ohio State.
“It means a lot,” McCrary said. “Ohio State is a great school. They have a great tradition and great academics.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Recruiting: Next five targets for 2013
September, 20, 2012
9/20/12
4:10
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
With Tyquan Lewis (Tarboro, N.C./Tarboro) committing to Ohio State on Thursday, there are four -- maybe five -- spots left in the 2013 recruiting class. Here’s a look at five recruits very much in the crosshairs for Ohio State:
1. WR Shelton Gibson (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights): It is clear Gibson wants the Buckeyes as he’s planning to make the second of three unofficial visits this week with his official coming Nov. 24 for the Michigan game.
Gut feeling: Gibson should be a Buckeye soon.
1. WR Shelton Gibson (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights): It is clear Gibson wants the Buckeyes as he’s planning to make the second of three unofficial visits this week with his official coming Nov. 24 for the Michigan game.
Gut feeling: Gibson should be a Buckeye soon.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
When Ohio State picked up its 17th commitment from the 2013 recruiting class on Thursday in the form of Tyquan Lewis (Tarboro, N.C./Tarboro) it nabbed an athlete born to play in Urban Meyer’s defensive scheme.
A standup defensive end, he’s the perfect hybrid to play linebacker as well.
What Lewis does more than anything, however, is win as the Vikings have captured three consecutive 2A state championships under his watch -- he has played in two of those title games -- and Tarboro headed into this weekend’s bye undefeated.
A standup defensive end, he’s the perfect hybrid to play linebacker as well.
What Lewis does more than anything, however, is win as the Vikings have captured three consecutive 2A state championships under his watch -- he has played in two of those title games -- and Tarboro headed into this weekend’s bye undefeated.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
3-star Tyquan Lewis pledges to Buckeyes
September, 20, 2012
9/20/12
4:05
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
It took almost two months in between recruits, but Ohio State picked up its 17th commitment Thursday with Tyquan Lewis (Tarboro, N.C./Tarboro).
The Buckeyes have been courting the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Lewis for quite a while in a summer affair that finally landed the three-star hybrid defensive end/linebacker.
Lewis ended the suspense in a news conference at his high school.
He came to Ohio State’s Senior Advanced Camp on June 10 and got the offer he was looking for, then returned with his mother July 27 for the Buckeyes’ Friday Night Lights camp.
While Lewis didn’t participate at the second event, he did spend the night and the better portion of the next day talking football and beyond with Ohio State brass.
“I felt comfortable there,” Lewis said. “I think it’s a great choice overall. The coaching staff and the facilities, everything there is nice.”
In choosing the Buckeyes over North Carolina and LSU, Lewis adds a dimension the 2013 recruiting class didn’t have as a linebacker.
“I see myself at the linebacking position,” Lewis said. “Just moving around and being aggressive.”
It looked like Ohio State had the position filled, but decommitments from Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) and Lewis Neal (Wilson, N.C./James B. Hunt) left the Buckeyes scrambling to fill the position.
Lewis is a standout athlete who can play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. As a junior, he amassed 63 tackles and 12 sacks. He also brings a winning attitude as Tarboro has won three consecutive state championships and is undefeated this season.
“I bring a winning spirit, speed, and I’m someone that will go out there and play hard every game,” he said.
The other plus Ohio State had going for it was the culture of winning Urban Meyer brings to the Buckeyes.
Already a successful program, Meyer’s two national titles were on the mind of Lewis as well. It’s a tradition the three-star commit hopes to continue.
“I expect to win a national championship,” Lewis said. “Year after year after year.”
Lewis plans on making his official visit on Nov. 24 for the Michigan game.
With Lewis’ commitment, the Buckeyes will likely look once more at the position with athlete Christopher Worley (Cleveland/Glenville) or Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian). Both are very interested in Ohio State.
The Buckeyes have been courting the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Lewis for quite a while in a summer affair that finally landed the three-star hybrid defensive end/linebacker.
Lewis ended the suspense in a news conference at his high school.
He came to Ohio State’s Senior Advanced Camp on June 10 and got the offer he was looking for, then returned with his mother July 27 for the Buckeyes’ Friday Night Lights camp.
While Lewis didn’t participate at the second event, he did spend the night and the better portion of the next day talking football and beyond with Ohio State brass.
“I felt comfortable there,” Lewis said. “I think it’s a great choice overall. The coaching staff and the facilities, everything there is nice.”
In choosing the Buckeyes over North Carolina and LSU, Lewis adds a dimension the 2013 recruiting class didn’t have as a linebacker.
“I see myself at the linebacking position,” Lewis said. “Just moving around and being aggressive.”
It looked like Ohio State had the position filled, but decommitments from Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) and Lewis Neal (Wilson, N.C./James B. Hunt) left the Buckeyes scrambling to fill the position.
Lewis is a standout athlete who can play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. As a junior, he amassed 63 tackles and 12 sacks. He also brings a winning attitude as Tarboro has won three consecutive state championships and is undefeated this season.
“I bring a winning spirit, speed, and I’m someone that will go out there and play hard every game,” he said.
The other plus Ohio State had going for it was the culture of winning Urban Meyer brings to the Buckeyes.
Already a successful program, Meyer’s two national titles were on the mind of Lewis as well. It’s a tradition the three-star commit hopes to continue.
“I expect to win a national championship,” Lewis said. “Year after year after year.”
Lewis plans on making his official visit on Nov. 24 for the Michigan game.
With Lewis’ commitment, the Buckeyes will likely look once more at the position with athlete Christopher Worley (Cleveland/Glenville) or Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian). Both are very interested in Ohio State.
Urban Meyer looks like he wants to try and pry another top-flight recruit from his old stomping ground.
Ohio State, along with Boise State, has offered Florida State commit Jake McCrary (Miami/Coral Reef), and for good reason.
Ranked the No. 4 player in the Miami-Dade County top 25 by the Miami Herald, the 6-foot, 183-pound wide receiver is one of the top recruits in the class of 2014.
Ohio State, along with Boise State, has offered Florida State commit Jake McCrary (Miami/Coral Reef), and for good reason.
Ranked the No. 4 player in the Miami-Dade County top 25 by the Miami Herald, the 6-foot, 183-pound wide receiver is one of the top recruits in the class of 2014.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
RB Jalen Hurd emerges with monster year
September, 20, 2012
9/20/12
1:57
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- As a sophomore, Jalen Hurd (Hendersonville, Tenn./Beech Senior) rushed for around 1,600 yards. Coming into his junior season, the talented running back set his goal a little higher, right around 2,000 yards.
After a 299-yard, two-touchdown performance in a win over Mount Juliet last Friday, Hurd now has more than 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns through five games. And the 6-foot-3 back rushed for 462 yards in one game. What has been the biggest difference?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Picks to click: Buckeyes to watch vs. UAB
September, 20, 2012
9/20/12
1:44
PM ET
By
Austin Ward | ESPN.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The last chance to make an impression before conference play has arrived.
Ohio State has found at least three targets it trusts in the passing game. The defensive line has ramped up the pressure after a slow start. And it obviously has already realized how dynamic the guy taking the snaps can be in the spread offense.
But there are still a few more players the Buckeyes would like to see more of before heading into Big Ten action, and they're likely going to have plenty of opportunities to show what they can do against UAB on Saturday.
Here are three of them to watch against the Blazers.
JORDAN HALL
Ohio State has found at least three targets it trusts in the passing game. The defensive line has ramped up the pressure after a slow start. And it obviously has already realized how dynamic the guy taking the snaps can be in the spread offense.
But there are still a few more players the Buckeyes would like to see more of before heading into Big Ten action, and they're likely going to have plenty of opportunities to show what they can do against UAB on Saturday.
Here are three of them to watch against the Blazers.
JORDAN HALL
- The basics: The senior running back made his return from offseason foot surgery last week against California and right away showed signs of taking the pressure off quarterback Braxton Miller in the rushing game. But Hall's 10-week rehabilitation and lack of reps was clear at times, and he could have finished with more than the 87 yards he provided on 17 carries without that rust.
- By the numbers: Hall averaged 5.1 yards per carry in his first outing of the season, and his longest attempt went for 15
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
RB Jalen Hurd emerges with monster year
September, 20, 2012
9/20/12
1:35
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
HENDRERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- As a sophomore, Jalen Hurd (Hendersonville, Tenn./Beech Senior) rushed for around 1,600 yards. Coming into his junior season, the talented running back set his goal a little higher, right around 2,000 yards.
After a 299-yard, two-touchdown performance in a win over Mount Juliet last Friday, Hurd now has more than 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns through just five games. The 6-foot-3 back rushed for 462 yards in a game earlier this year. What’s been the biggest difference?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Notebook: A busy OSU recruiting week
September, 20, 2012
9/20/12
10:00
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The quarterback carousel continues this weekend as far as unofficial visits go.
After housing Drew Barker (Hebron, Ky./Conner) on opening weekend against Miami (Ohio) and Joey Duckworth (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) two weeks ago against UCF, Ohio State is at it again in a big way.
DeShone Kizer (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) highlights the list of recruits who will make the trip to Columbus on Saturday to watch the Buckeyes take on the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
After housing Drew Barker (Hebron, Ky./Conner) on opening weekend against Miami (Ohio) and Joey Duckworth (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) two weeks ago against UCF, Ohio State is at it again in a big way.
DeShone Kizer (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) highlights the list of recruits who will make the trip to Columbus on Saturday to watch the Buckeyes take on the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Looking at the hot topics and pressing issues as Ohio State closes out its non-conference slate on Saturday against UAB.
1. Wrap it up: There has apparently been no shortage of tackling in practice. But that didn’t translate into the game last week against California, which produced an extra workout of intense contact and even more emphasis on fundamentals for the Ohio State defense. The perfect example of how important finishing every opportunity is to the coaching staff -- safety Christian Bryant broke up two passes with thunderous hits and capped the victory with his first career interception, but he didn’t grade out as a champion because he missed a tackle. The Buckeyes obviously missed plenty of other plays in giving up 512 yards of offense, but that is the standard they will be held to moving forward.
2. Roaming with Hall: The return of Jordan Hall in the backfield clearly eased the burden on Braxton Miller in the running game, allowing the Buckeyes to get his carries down to a more manageable number against the Golden Bears with just 12 attempts. Hall led the team with 17 rushes though, and in his first game back, the senior might have also benefitted from having somebody to share the load with on the ground. Ohio State still won’t have Carlos Hyde back from his knee sprain against the Blazers, and Hall should be better prepared after getting a game and another week of practice under his belt. But until Hyde returns, it might help if freshman Bri’onte Dunn or fullback Zach Boren can sneak in a few rushes.
1. Wrap it up: There has apparently been no shortage of tackling in practice. But that didn’t translate into the game last week against California, which produced an extra workout of intense contact and even more emphasis on fundamentals for the Ohio State defense. The perfect example of how important finishing every opportunity is to the coaching staff -- safety Christian Bryant broke up two passes with thunderous hits and capped the victory with his first career interception, but he didn’t grade out as a champion because he missed a tackle. The Buckeyes obviously missed plenty of other plays in giving up 512 yards of offense, but that is the standard they will be held to moving forward.
2. Roaming with Hall: The return of Jordan Hall in the backfield clearly eased the burden on Braxton Miller in the running game, allowing the Buckeyes to get his carries down to a more manageable number against the Golden Bears with just 12 attempts. Hall led the team with 17 rushes though, and in his first game back, the senior might have also benefitted from having somebody to share the load with on the ground. Ohio State still won’t have Carlos Hyde back from his knee sprain against the Blazers, and Hall should be better prepared after getting a game and another week of practice under his belt. But until Hyde returns, it might help if freshman Bri’onte Dunn or fullback Zach Boren can sneak in a few rushes.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Wednesday briefing: Nathan Williams will play
September, 19, 2012
9/19/12
8:18
PM ET
By
Austin Ward | ESPN.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The first step forward might have been too big.
Nathan Williams returned from his microfracture knee surgery in time to play in the season opener, and the Ohio State senior played more than anybody expected.
But it turned out to be too much work, and the next step for the defensive end went the other direction with soreness forcing him back to the sideline the following week.
He returned to the lineup again last weekend in a win against California and played even more than he did in the first game, but this time Williams hasn't even considered the possibility of missing another outing, setting his chances of playing at "100 percent" for Saturday's non-conference finale against UAB.
Nathan Williams returned from his microfracture knee surgery in time to play in the season opener, and the Ohio State senior played more than anybody expected.
But it turned out to be too much work, and the next step for the defensive end went the other direction with soreness forcing him back to the sideline the following week.
He returned to the lineup again last weekend in a win against California and played even more than he did in the first game, but this time Williams hasn't even considered the possibility of missing another outing, setting his chances of playing at "100 percent" for Saturday's non-conference finale against UAB.
Alex Anzalone hears from Urban Meyer
September, 19, 2012
9/19/12
4:47
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Although Ohio State’s potential 2014 linebacker haul is very promising, the Buckeyes are still having trouble securing a top linebacker in 2013.
Urban Meyer is not giving up all hope on one particular ESPN 150 linebacker.
Since Sept. 1, the Buckeyes coach made a call to ESPN 150 linebacker and former Ohio State commit Alex Anzalone.
Urban Meyer is not giving up all hope on one particular ESPN 150 linebacker.
Since Sept. 1, the Buckeyes coach made a call to ESPN 150 linebacker and former Ohio State commit Alex Anzalone.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.