Big recruiting week ahead for Ohio State 
March, 19, 2013
Mar 19
10:05
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Ohio State’s spring break has ended. Now it’s time for the Buckeyes to do work in spring practice and on the recruiting front.
With high schools around the nation starting their one-week hiatuses in earnest, Urban Meyer and his coaching staff will be in go mode as potential future Buckeyes visit for the next month.
As of Tuesday morning, 21 recruits have confirmed visits to Ohio's capital city.
With high schools around the nation starting their one-week hiatuses in earnest, Urban Meyer and his coaching staff will be in go mode as potential future Buckeyes visit for the next month.
As of Tuesday morning, 21 recruits have confirmed visits to Ohio's capital city.
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Ohio State getting serious at juco level
March, 19, 2013
Mar 19
10:00
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Urban Meyer freely spoke about missing on the offensive line in the 2013 recruiting class, and the coaching staff is making it a big priority this time around. With a possibility of four starters graduating from the squad, the line is in need of immediate depth.
The Buckeyes have offered scholarships to three junior college players already in the 2014 cycle. The fact that all three play offensive tackle isn’t a surprise, and the Buckeyes see great immediate potential in all three.
The Buckeyes have offered scholarships to three junior college players already in the 2014 cycle. The fact that all three play offensive tackle isn’t a surprise, and the Buckeyes see great immediate potential in all three.
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Running back Elijah Hood (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic) had his list narrowed dow to Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State and seemed destined to head North. That changed recently, though, as Hood and his family have been talking about his future plans.
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Four schools at the top for DB Peppers
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
3:45
PM ET
By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
Defensive back Jabrill Peppers (Paramus, N.J./Paramus Catholic) can choose any school he would like. From the SEC to the Big Ten, Peppers is coveted by most top programs across the country. He is still mulling through the information in front of him, but according to his coach, Chris Partridge, there are four schools currently sticking out.
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More big names confirm Ohio State visits
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
1:55
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
It’s going to be one heck of a busy month for Ohio State as unofficial visitors pour into Columbus, Ohio, for a look at the Buckeyes.
We’ve already talked about many of the big names set to visit the Horseshoe, but the visitors keep coming.
We’ve already talked about many of the big names set to visit the Horseshoe, but the visitors keep coming.
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Georgia DT Williams has tentative top 5
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
12:07
PM ET
By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Chris Williams hasn't released his official list of finalists. However, he was willing to offer a strong hint as to which direction his recruitment is going.
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No Webb of mystery, Damon is all OSU
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
10:05
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Damon Webb (Detroit/Cass Tech) was expecting it. In fact, the ESPN Watch List cornerback was looking forward to it.
When the junior committed to Ohio State on Jan. 13, Webb knew what was awaiting him at home after choosing the Buckeyes even though his school is known as a feeder program for Michigan. Six athletes in the last four recruiting classes play football for the Wolverines with many more preceding them.
When the junior committed to Ohio State on Jan. 13, Webb knew what was awaiting him at home after choosing the Buckeyes even though his school is known as a feeder program for Michigan. Six athletes in the last four recruiting classes play football for the Wolverines with many more preceding them.
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Who says schools are supposed to rest during the quiet period?
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Ohio State won the Big Ten tournament for the third time in four years, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, where the Buckeyes were slotted as the No. 2 seed in the West bracket.
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Detroit 2015 RB Weber plans two trips
March, 17, 2013
Mar 17
2:55
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Mike Weber (Detroit/Cass Tech) already counts four Division I offers. The sophomore running back is looking for more and has planned two big trips next month.
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Big 2015 Cass Tech QB set to visit OSU
March, 17, 2013
Mar 17
2:09
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- It looks like Ohio State isn’t done with Detroit Cass Tech High School.
With ESPN Watch List Damon Webb already in the fold in the Class of 2014, the Buckeyes will welcome in a big quarterback out of the Class of 2015.
With ESPN Watch List Damon Webb already in the fold in the Class of 2014, the Buckeyes will welcome in a big quarterback out of the Class of 2015.
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Jermaine Eluemunor craned his neck from the passenger seat of his black SUV. He knew he was close to Penn State, so he hoped to catch a glimpse of the mammoth stadium he had heard so much about.
About a mile or two from campus, the junior college offensive tackle out of Scranton (Pa.) Lackawanna saw Beaver Stadium loom over the rolling hills. He said he actually rubbed his eyes around 10 a.m. to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
"When I saw it, I'm like, 'Damn, that's big.' Then I got up right next to it and I'm like, 'Woah, holy ... ," he said, cutting himself short. "They brought me inside then and I got to walk around and stuff, and I got to take pictures. It was amazing."
About a mile or two from campus, the junior college offensive tackle out of Scranton (Pa.) Lackawanna saw Beaver Stadium loom over the rolling hills. He said he actually rubbed his eyes around 10 a.m. to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
"When I saw it, I'm like, 'Damn, that's big.' Then I got up right next to it and I'm like, 'Woah, holy ... ," he said, cutting himself short. "They brought me inside then and I got to walk around and stuff, and I got to take pictures. It was amazing."
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It's quite a feat: In a league as good as the Big Ten in basketball, the Buckeyes have made it to the conference championship game four years in a row and in six of the last seven years. Wisconsin is the only other team with three title-game berths in that span. The Buckeyes go for their third championship in four years in a rematch of the 2007 final -- the year the Buckeyes last made the NCAA championship game.
This is 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. First, as always, our week in review:
This is 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. First, as always, our week in review:
BuckeyeNation Week in Review
- Ohio State took care of Nebraska and Michigan State in Chicago and looks to lock up a high seed in the NCAA tournament, with a potential second-round opener in Dayton on Friday. With seven wins in a row, Joe Lunardi has the Buckeyes on the No. 2 line in his latest bracketology breakdown.
- This is the 40th anniversary of Cornelius Greene becoming Ohio State's starting quarterback, and Austin Ward looked back at how he was a trailblazer as a dual-threat quarterback.
- Ohio State doesn't even recruit pocket passers these days, writes Brad Bournival.
- Ohio State's top target for the 2015 class -- that's the sophomores -- just might be Kyler Murray of Allen, Texas.
- The Buckeyes do recruit linebackers, of course, and former top prospect Curtis Grant aims to hold off the recruits from the last two classes and take back a starting role.
- With spring break last week during the first year in a semester system, Urban Meyer stretched out spring practice and gave the players last week off.
- Last year, a simple gesture by Meyer fired up the Buckeyes in a key road victory, Ward writes.
- On his way to the NFL draft, Zach Boren is trying to become even more versatile.
- Bournival crunched the numbers on where Big Ten players come from, and in no surprise, Ohio is No. 1.
- Bournival continued his series looking at the top players on the Buckeyes' recruiting board, this week counting down the top five linebackers and cornerbacks.
- The Buckeyes already have a big piece there in Watch List prospect Damon Webb.
- We also profiled Tony Brown of Texas, who is a highly coveted cover guy.
- And everybody wants Watch List LB Raekwon McMillan, who has the Buckeyes as one of his leaders and already has big plans for his April visit.
- Mammoth OT Orlando Brown Jr. talked about the Buckeyes and the other six programs in his top seven.
- The Buckeyes were in early in the recruiting of Maryland OG Sam Mustipher, and that could pay dividends.
- Michigan State lost a big name when WR Drake Harris decommitted. He has an Ohio State offer and wants to enroll early.
- Virginia safety C.J. Reavis received an offer from the Buckeyes, as did a Brooklyn, N.Y., offensive tackle and a two-sport standout from Texas in the sophomore class.
- Bournival answered questions about the 2014 class in his latest mailbag.
Football
- Losing seven starters shouldn't hamper the Buckeyes' title dreams, writes Tim May. (Dispatch)
Basketball
- The Buckeyes' key to success at the Big Ten Tournament? They don't take it so seriously, writes Doug Lesmerises. (Plain Dealer)
- Thad Matta isn't afraid to get in players' faces, writes Bob Hunter. (Dispatch)
- Aaron Craft hoped he would advance in Grantland's bracket of the most hated players in college basketball history. Alas, he fell to former Florida star Joakim Noah. (Plain Dealer, Grantland)
- Deshaun Thomas and Craft made All-Big Ten first teams, but Craft was somehow denied the league's Defensive Player of the Year award. (Dispatch)
- The Buckeyes have gone from overrated to undervalued. (Eleven Warriors)
- Thomas just might come back for his senior season after all, if draft experts are correct. (Toledo Blade)
The Gang's All Here
- Ohio State's men's lacrosse team beat a top-10 team on the road. (OSU)
- The men's hockey team is playing its final CCHA Tournament at the old OSU Ice Rink, a fitting ending to their run in the conference, writes Chris Webb. (Land Grant Holy Land)
QB Murray in elite company with OSU offer
March, 15, 2013
Mar 15
8:04
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
When Kyler Murray (Allen, Texas/Allen) picked up his Ohio State offer last week, it was thought to be a huge offer for the sophomore. What Murray didn’t realize until later was exactly how significant the offer was.
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Five stories to watch: New Level 7-on-7
March, 15, 2013
Mar 15
11:03
AM ET
By Jared Shanker & Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The latest stop on the New Level Nation 7-on-7 tour is Youngstown on Saturday, as some of the top teams and prospects from the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic head to northeast Ohio. The organization’s 7-on-7 tournaments are steadily growing every year and are now one of the premier competitions in the country, but the 7-on-7 at Youngstown State will unfortunately be missing some of the Midwest’s best -- through no fault of its own.
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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.