Huge 2015 prospect ready for camp, offer 
May, 21, 2013
May 21
9:14
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Motivation has never been tough for defensive end George Brown Jr. (Cincinnati/Colerain).
With over 25 offers already, the 6-foot-6, 255-pound sophomore is hardly a secret in the recruiting world.
The one offer missing is from the big in-state school, and Brown is making sure Ohio State sees what it needs to see in him.
With over 25 offers already, the 6-foot-6, 255-pound sophomore is hardly a secret in the recruiting world.
The one offer missing is from the big in-state school, and Brown is making sure Ohio State sees what it needs to see in him.
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Throughout the next few months, BuckeyeNation will look further into those juniors offered by Ohio State.
We’ll give as much detail as we can and go behind the scenes to see why these Class of 2014 standouts are so attractive to the Buckeyes.
Next on the list of safeties is Erick Smith, who comes from a school that has sent 19 athletes on to Ohio State -- with a 20th waiting in the wings -- since 2002.
Vitals: Smith (Cleveland/Glenville) is 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds.
We’ll give as much detail as we can and go behind the scenes to see why these Class of 2014 standouts are so attractive to the Buckeyes.
Next on the list of safeties is Erick Smith, who comes from a school that has sent 19 athletes on to Ohio State -- with a 20th waiting in the wings -- since 2002.
Vitals: Smith (Cleveland/Glenville) is 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds.
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Glenville pipeline still flowing to OSU
May, 21, 2013
May 21
9:30
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Under Jim Tressel, it was hard not to trip over a Tarblooder.
Ohio State’s lineup was loaded with Glenville products under the former Buckeyes coach as he tried to keep a budding pipeline strong. During his stay, Tressel managed to get 16 Tarblooders to sign national letters of intent.
He had his hits with players such Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and Donte Whitner. He had his misses with Jonathan Newsome, Shawntell Rowell and Freddie Lenix.
Ohio State’s lineup was loaded with Glenville products under the former Buckeyes coach as he tried to keep a budding pipeline strong. During his stay, Tressel managed to get 16 Tarblooders to sign national letters of intent.
He had his hits with players such Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and Donte Whitner. He had his misses with Jonathan Newsome, Shawntell Rowell and Freddie Lenix.
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OSU offers sixth player with NFL lineage
May, 20, 2013
May 20
9:08
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
One thing is becoming abundantly clear in the Urban Meyer era.
The two-time national champion coach likes players with NFL bloodlines. In the Class of 2014, Ohio State has offered Christian McCaffrey the son of three-time Super Bowl winner Ed McCaffrey. Jonathan Haden, the brother of NFL superstar Joe Haden, and Austin Roberts, the son of Super Bowl champion Alfredo Roberts.
Tennessee offensive line commit Orlando Brown Jr., the son of late Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Orlando Brown, was also offered by the Buckeyes as was linebacker Dillon Bates, the son of three-time Super Bowl winner Bill Bates.
The two-time national champion coach likes players with NFL bloodlines. In the Class of 2014, Ohio State has offered Christian McCaffrey the son of three-time Super Bowl winner Ed McCaffrey. Jonathan Haden, the brother of NFL superstar Joe Haden, and Austin Roberts, the son of Super Bowl champion Alfredo Roberts.
Tennessee offensive line commit Orlando Brown Jr., the son of late Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Orlando Brown, was also offered by the Buckeyes as was linebacker Dillon Bates, the son of three-time Super Bowl winner Bill Bates.
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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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Offer has Jackson thinking about visit
May, 20, 2013
May 20
12:53
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
According to Vincent Jackson (Tampa, Fla./Jesuit), the offer apparently came a while ago. He just never confirmed it.
And now Ohio State's offer is out in the open, the 2014 outside linebacker isn’t taking it lightly even though he has offers from no fewer than 33 schools.
And now Ohio State's offer is out in the open, the 2014 outside linebacker isn’t taking it lightly even though he has offers from no fewer than 33 schools.
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OSU, U-M already sticking out to 2016 OT
May, 20, 2013
May 20
11:15
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Last year, Josh Fenn was walking home from General Johnnie Wilson Middle School when Lorain (Ohio) football coach Mark Solis drove by.
The 15-year coach saw a budding talent just in passing and stopped the car.
A few months later, Fenn was playing organized football for the first time with the Titans, and college coaches are now the ones looking twice.
The 15-year coach saw a budding talent just in passing and stopped the car.
A few months later, Fenn was playing organized football for the first time with the Titans, and college coaches are now the ones looking twice.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Throughout the next few months, BuckeyeNation will look further into those juniors offered by Ohio State.
We’ll give as much detail as we can and go behind the scenes to see why these Class of 2014 standouts are so attractive to the Buckeyes.
Next on the list of wide receivers is Lonnie Johnson, who has the speed the Buckeyes and Urban Meyer crave for their spread offense.
Vitals: Johnson (Gary, Ind./West Side ) is 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds.
We’ll give as much detail as we can and go behind the scenes to see why these Class of 2014 standouts are so attractive to the Buckeyes.
Next on the list of wide receivers is Lonnie Johnson, who has the speed the Buckeyes and Urban Meyer crave for their spread offense.
Vitals: Johnson (Gary, Ind./West Side ) is 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Brandon Harris named his top seven. Demarre Kitt waxed poetic about his top three. Demetrius Knox booked his official visit and a slew of offers went out -- and we mean a slew.
Just another week in the life of Ohio State.
Here’s a look at what went down in yet another busy week of Buckeyes recruiting.
Just another week in the life of Ohio State.
Here’s a look at what went down in yet another busy week of Buckeyes recruiting.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
With spring in the books for more than a month, the long march through the offseason and back to football is only beginning. But BuckeyeNation is going to keep doing its part to speed up the journey -- or at least make it more interesting. This week, that means a bunch of countdown lists, starting with the slate of games on tap for a team coming off a perfect record (and not counting any against the Football Championship Subdivision or a team coming off a winless Big Ten season).
Ranking the 2013 schedule
1. Michigan (Nov. 30 in Ann Arbor, Mich.): As if there could be another place to start this list. The rivalry is as strong as ever with Urban Meyer stoking the flames and making it a top priority to win The Game above just about everything else. If the Buckeyes indeed make another run at perfection this fall, the latest edition in the series could again have huge stakes aside from just bragging rights. The Wolverines slowed down Ohio State’s spread offense in a losing effort last year, but they’ll likely be needing more firepower of their own to potentially stop a title bid in Meyer’s second season.
2. Wisconsin (Sept. 28 in Columbus): The blood doesn’t get quite as hot for the Badgers as it does the Wolverines, obviously, but this is about as close as it gets for the Buckeyes to a backup rivalry. The two programs have also produced some classic games over the last few years, and with an evening kickoff set for the Big Ten opener for both teams, expect a fevered pitch and an entertaining evening in the Horseshoe. Ohio State will be looking to get started on the right foot in the league; Wisconsin will be looking for an early signature victory for a new coach.
3. Northwestern (Oct. 5 in Evanston, Ill.): The Wildcats normally wouldn't be making an appearance this high on the countdown, but Pat Fitzgerald has pretty much broken the traditional mold for the program at this point and will certainly have the attention of the Buckeyes. Another late kickoff will add a bit of extra hype for what might be one of the highest-profile games Northwestern has ever hosted, and the Buckeyes could have a tough test for their rebuilt front seven on their hands.
4. Penn State (Oct. 26 in Columbus): The full impact of the NCAA sanctions leveled against the Nittany Lions might not be felt yet this season, but losing the group of seniors who helped them weather the storm so impressively last fall will be a significant challenge for second-year coach Bill O’Brien. Penn State will have had some time to develop younger players by this point in the year, but if the Nittany Lions are going to test Ohio State at home, the freshman coming along the quickest had better be the quarterback. Either way, two tradition-rich programs hooking up is still going to move the needle.
5. California (Sept. 14 in Berkeley, Calif.): The Golden Bears weren’t supposed to put up much of a challenge last year in the Horseshoe, and they ended up forcing Braxton Miller and Devin Smith to conjure up some late-game magic to help the Buckeyes escape. Cal has undergone a significant change in leadership in bringing in new coach Sonny Dykes, but he has some offensive pieces to work with that have had success already against the Buckeyes -- and this time it’s the Buckeyes who will be traveling across the country.
6. Indiana (Nov. 23 in Columbus): Like offense? Probably don’t want to miss this one then. The margin of victory might have ended up being somewhat deceiving thanks to a couple fluky plays late in the game last year, but even without those late scores, the Hoosiers and Buckeyes had already produced plenty of fireworks thanks to innovative offensive minds on both sidelines. Indiana clearly has made progress under Kevin Wilson, and it could be capable of producing another track meet if the Buckeyes focus too much on their advantage in personnel.
7. Purdue (Nov. 2 in West Lafayette, Ind.): The Boilermakers have certainly made things interesting in the series over the last few meetings, and in the end they were the closest to keeping the Buckeyes from going undefeated last season before Kenny Guiton came off the bench to lead a remarkable comeback in regulation on the way to an overtime victory. For whatever reason, from different defensive looks to Ohio State perhaps getting complacent, Purdue has been a nuisance -- and now it has a driven coach with ties to the Buckeyes. The Boilermakers could use the boost a win would provide for Darrell Hazell's program.
8. San Diego State (Sept. 7 in Columbus): The Buckeyes might be getting more credit for their nonconference schedule if they still had an SEC team on it, though even the improved Vanderbilt squad that canceled a trip to the Horseshoe probably wouldn’t have made the slate look all that more appealing. But Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith did go out and find another team coming off a bowl appearance to replace the Commodores, and the Aztecs have been a tough out over the last few years. A season ago they finished 9-4, a mark that featured a seven-game winning streak at one point and included a win on the road over Boise State.
9. Iowa (Oct. 19 in Columbus): The Hawkeyes might not be the most exciting team around, but their occasionally ugly style of play can at least make things bothersome for opponents. The Buckeyes will be coming off a bye week and starting a two-game stretch at home when Iowa comes back on its schedule, so Meyer figures to have his team locked in for an opponent that only averaged 19.3 points per game last season on the way to a 4-8 record.
10. Buffalo (Aug. 31 in Columbus): The Bulls probably won’t be providing much in the way competition over four quarters against a team expected to be ranked in the top five in the country, particularly on the heels of a 4-8 season last year. But they will provide some fresh bodies for the Buckeyes to test themselves against after nearly a month of playing against each other in training camp. And no matter the opposition, the first week will offer the first glimpse at Ohio State’s spread attack in Meyer’s second season, give a peek at the new-look defense -- and officially welcome back football.
Ranking the 2013 schedule
1. Michigan (Nov. 30 in Ann Arbor, Mich.): As if there could be another place to start this list. The rivalry is as strong as ever with Urban Meyer stoking the flames and making it a top priority to win The Game above just about everything else. If the Buckeyes indeed make another run at perfection this fall, the latest edition in the series could again have huge stakes aside from just bragging rights. The Wolverines slowed down Ohio State’s spread offense in a losing effort last year, but they’ll likely be needing more firepower of their own to potentially stop a title bid in Meyer’s second season.
2. Wisconsin (Sept. 28 in Columbus): The blood doesn’t get quite as hot for the Badgers as it does the Wolverines, obviously, but this is about as close as it gets for the Buckeyes to a backup rivalry. The two programs have also produced some classic games over the last few years, and with an evening kickoff set for the Big Ten opener for both teams, expect a fevered pitch and an entertaining evening in the Horseshoe. Ohio State will be looking to get started on the right foot in the league; Wisconsin will be looking for an early signature victory for a new coach.
3. Northwestern (Oct. 5 in Evanston, Ill.): The Wildcats normally wouldn't be making an appearance this high on the countdown, but Pat Fitzgerald has pretty much broken the traditional mold for the program at this point and will certainly have the attention of the Buckeyes. Another late kickoff will add a bit of extra hype for what might be one of the highest-profile games Northwestern has ever hosted, and the Buckeyes could have a tough test for their rebuilt front seven on their hands.
4. Penn State (Oct. 26 in Columbus): The full impact of the NCAA sanctions leveled against the Nittany Lions might not be felt yet this season, but losing the group of seniors who helped them weather the storm so impressively last fall will be a significant challenge for second-year coach Bill O’Brien. Penn State will have had some time to develop younger players by this point in the year, but if the Nittany Lions are going to test Ohio State at home, the freshman coming along the quickest had better be the quarterback. Either way, two tradition-rich programs hooking up is still going to move the needle.
5. California (Sept. 14 in Berkeley, Calif.): The Golden Bears weren’t supposed to put up much of a challenge last year in the Horseshoe, and they ended up forcing Braxton Miller and Devin Smith to conjure up some late-game magic to help the Buckeyes escape. Cal has undergone a significant change in leadership in bringing in new coach Sonny Dykes, but he has some offensive pieces to work with that have had success already against the Buckeyes -- and this time it’s the Buckeyes who will be traveling across the country.
6. Indiana (Nov. 23 in Columbus): Like offense? Probably don’t want to miss this one then. The margin of victory might have ended up being somewhat deceiving thanks to a couple fluky plays late in the game last year, but even without those late scores, the Hoosiers and Buckeyes had already produced plenty of fireworks thanks to innovative offensive minds on both sidelines. Indiana clearly has made progress under Kevin Wilson, and it could be capable of producing another track meet if the Buckeyes focus too much on their advantage in personnel.
7. Purdue (Nov. 2 in West Lafayette, Ind.): The Boilermakers have certainly made things interesting in the series over the last few meetings, and in the end they were the closest to keeping the Buckeyes from going undefeated last season before Kenny Guiton came off the bench to lead a remarkable comeback in regulation on the way to an overtime victory. For whatever reason, from different defensive looks to Ohio State perhaps getting complacent, Purdue has been a nuisance -- and now it has a driven coach with ties to the Buckeyes. The Boilermakers could use the boost a win would provide for Darrell Hazell's program.
8. San Diego State (Sept. 7 in Columbus): The Buckeyes might be getting more credit for their nonconference schedule if they still had an SEC team on it, though even the improved Vanderbilt squad that canceled a trip to the Horseshoe probably wouldn’t have made the slate look all that more appealing. But Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith did go out and find another team coming off a bowl appearance to replace the Commodores, and the Aztecs have been a tough out over the last few years. A season ago they finished 9-4, a mark that featured a seven-game winning streak at one point and included a win on the road over Boise State.
9. Iowa (Oct. 19 in Columbus): The Hawkeyes might not be the most exciting team around, but their occasionally ugly style of play can at least make things bothersome for opponents. The Buckeyes will be coming off a bye week and starting a two-game stretch at home when Iowa comes back on its schedule, so Meyer figures to have his team locked in for an opponent that only averaged 19.3 points per game last season on the way to a 4-8 record.
10. Buffalo (Aug. 31 in Columbus): The Bulls probably won’t be providing much in the way competition over four quarters against a team expected to be ranked in the top five in the country, particularly on the heels of a 4-8 season last year. But they will provide some fresh bodies for the Buckeyes to test themselves against after nearly a month of playing against each other in training camp. And no matter the opposition, the first week will offer the first glimpse at Ohio State’s spread attack in Meyer’s second season, give a peek at the new-look defense -- and officially welcome back football.B1G assistant coach salaries on the rise
May, 20, 2013
May 20
9:00
AM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Ohio State already had started paying more competitive salaries for assistant coaches before Urban Meyer arrived in November 2011.
But when Meyer and athletic director Gene Smith sat down to discuss staff pay, Smith soon realized he needed to do more.
"I think Michigan had stepped up with their coordinators," Smith recalled last week during Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago. "So we were already going to that before Urban Meyer came, but we bumped it up a little more. Any time there's change, you have that opportunity."
"Everyone's always focused on head coaches' salaries," Smith continued. "That's always the thing. But really when you look at the changes, it's really been assistants' salaries across the country -- not just in the SEC, but the Big 12, Pac-12, all across the country."
The Big Ten is part of the change, too, as the league is allocating more money toward football assistants than ever before. The Detroit Free Press has an excellent look at Big Ten assistants' salaries, complete with a database that includes 10 of the 12 current members (Northwestern doesn't submit salaries as a private institution, and Penn State doesn't have to because of state laws).
The Free Press found that eight of the 10 schools are paying more for assistants in 2013 than they did in 2012 (only Indiana and Illinois are not). There are some significant total increases, such as Wisconsin (up $558,000), Nebraska (up $518,500), Purdue ($400,000) and Minnesota ($355,000). Staff pay had been an issue at Wisconsin, which lost six assistant coaches following the 2012 Rose Bowl, and at Purdue, which paid less for its staff during the Danny Hope era than any Big Ten school.
The total trend among the 10 schools is an increase of $1,720,852.24 for 2013.
Ohio State and Michigan remain No. 1 and No. 2 in Big Ten staff salary, as the Buckeyes allocate $3.416 million and the Wolverines allocate $2.805 million. Nebraska and Wisconsin make the biggest moves in the league for 2013, as the Huskers rise from sixth to third and the Badgers rise from seventh to fourth.
Illinois, which replaced five assistants from the 2012 team, including co-offensive coordinators Chris Beatty and Billy Gonzales, dropped from third in staff pay ($2.314 million) to eighth ($2.065 million).
The database shows that nearly every Big Ten assistant with "coordinator" in his title -- whether he's the sole coordinator or a co-coordinator -- will earn north of $300,000 for 2013. Only 18 assistants listed will make less than $200,000 in 2013 -- 15 work for Minnesota, Illinois, Purdue and Indiana.
Some notes:
The Big Ten still lacks some of the OMG totals seen in the SEC -- LSU is paying new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron $3.4 million in the next three years -- but the overall trend puts the league more on par with what we're seeing nationally.
But when Meyer and athletic director Gene Smith sat down to discuss staff pay, Smith soon realized he needed to do more.
"I think Michigan had stepped up with their coordinators," Smith recalled last week during Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago. "So we were already going to that before Urban Meyer came, but we bumped it up a little more. Any time there's change, you have that opportunity."
[+] Enlarge
Lon Horwedel/Icon SMIMichigan DC Greg Mattison ranks as the highest-paid assistant coach in the Big Ten for the 2013 season.
Lon Horwedel/Icon SMIMichigan DC Greg Mattison ranks as the highest-paid assistant coach in the Big Ten for the 2013 season.The Big Ten is part of the change, too, as the league is allocating more money toward football assistants than ever before. The Detroit Free Press has an excellent look at Big Ten assistants' salaries, complete with a database that includes 10 of the 12 current members (Northwestern doesn't submit salaries as a private institution, and Penn State doesn't have to because of state laws).
The Free Press found that eight of the 10 schools are paying more for assistants in 2013 than they did in 2012 (only Indiana and Illinois are not). There are some significant total increases, such as Wisconsin (up $558,000), Nebraska (up $518,500), Purdue ($400,000) and Minnesota ($355,000). Staff pay had been an issue at Wisconsin, which lost six assistant coaches following the 2012 Rose Bowl, and at Purdue, which paid less for its staff during the Danny Hope era than any Big Ten school.
The total trend among the 10 schools is an increase of $1,720,852.24 for 2013.
Ohio State and Michigan remain No. 1 and No. 2 in Big Ten staff salary, as the Buckeyes allocate $3.416 million and the Wolverines allocate $2.805 million. Nebraska and Wisconsin make the biggest moves in the league for 2013, as the Huskers rise from sixth to third and the Badgers rise from seventh to fourth.
Illinois, which replaced five assistants from the 2012 team, including co-offensive coordinators Chris Beatty and Billy Gonzales, dropped from third in staff pay ($2.314 million) to eighth ($2.065 million).
The database shows that nearly every Big Ten assistant with "coordinator" in his title -- whether he's the sole coordinator or a co-coordinator -- will earn north of $300,000 for 2013. Only 18 assistants listed will make less than $200,000 in 2013 -- 15 work for Minnesota, Illinois, Purdue and Indiana.
Some notes:
- Although Wisconsin paid former offensive coordinator Paul Chryst good coin, the school has increased its commitment for Gary Andersen's staff, not only with the coordinators but with some coveted position coaches like running backs coach Thomas Hammock ($300,000).
- All of Nebraska's assistants are earning $200,000 or more for 2013, but there's a huge drop-off between Beck and the next highest-paid assistant (defensive coordinator John Papuchis at $310,000).
- Michigan State has a similar drop off between Narduzzi and co-offensive coordinators Dave Warner ($270,000) and Jim Bollman ($260,000). Warner will be the primary offensive play-caller and has been on Mark Dantonio's staff since 2006, while Bollman is a newcomer.
- Although Michigan is paying top dollar for its coordinators, the school gets its assistants for a relative bargain. Receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Jeff Hecklinski will earn $225,000 in 2013, while the others all will earn $205,000. Ohio State, meanwhile, pays all but one of its assistants $286,000 or more.
- The Big Ten's three lowest-paid assistants all are in their first years: Illinois wide receivers coach Mike Bellamy ($125,000) and Purdue linebackers coach Marcus Freeman and running backs coach Jafar Williams (both at $120,000).
- Although schools like Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa ($325,000) pay their coordinators the exact same amount, others have slight differences in salary. Purdue's Shoop makes $5,000 more than defensive coordinator Greg Hudson. Minnesota defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys ($340,000) makes $5,000 more than offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover. Wonder if that leads to any underlying jealousy?
- Most Big Ten schools have assistant salaries in round numbers, but there are some interesting totals from Indiana, which pays co-offensive coordinators Seth Littrell and Kevin Johns $255,500.04 and new recruiting coordinator/assistant defensive line coach James Patton $173,740.08. Never know when that change can come in handy.
The Big Ten still lacks some of the OMG totals seen in the SEC -- LSU is paying new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron $3.4 million in the next three years -- but the overall trend puts the league more on par with what we're seeing nationally.
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.
BuckeyeNation Week in Review
- The Buckeyes picked up their eighth pledge in the class in wide receiver Lonnie Johnson of Gary, Ind., who wants to help recruit.
- Michael Bennett is healthy and ready to be a big contributor on the defensive front, writes Austin Ward.
- The tight end position requires more athleticism than ever, and the Buckeyes feel good about their group.
- Brad Bournival is on the road scoping out talent, which he runs down in Tales From The Road each Wednesday.
- Former Texas commit Demetrius Knox is going to make his official visit for the Penn State game in October.
- Bournival put the spotlight on DT pledge Dylan Thompson and LB/DE pledge Sam Hubbard.
- Bournival updated his list of the top five offensive linemen and top five defensive tackles.
- TE Mavin Saunders of Houston got an Ohio State offer and is excited about it.
- Mitch Sherman caught up with Deshaun Watson, who looks solid to Clemson. But will he feel the pull elsewhere at some point?
- OSU commit Parris Campbell Jr. is a running back for now, but is open to a position switch if it will get him on the field faster.
- A 2015 athlete from Denmark, via Warren (Ohio) Harding, got an Ohio State offer.
- Travis Haney ranked the nation's most talented teams (Ohio State is a top-10 choice) and looked at the make-or-break chances of Braxton Miller.
- CB Jabrill Peppers is set for an announcement a week from today on ESPNU. Don't hold your breath, Buckeyes fans.
- Demarre Kitt is going to announce on June 10. A little better chance there, but it doesn't feel like Ohio State is the favorite.
- The 2014 schedule was released, and Adam Rittenberg wrote about how the new 14-team Big Ten schedule came together.
- The Big Ten bowl lineup for 2014 and beyond is taking shape.
- Former OSU running back Maurice Clarett wants to try his hand at rugby.
- Ward chatted with fans for an hour, as he does each Thursday.
- Bournival's mailbag covers juco linemen, five-star recruits and which OSU pledges could jump in the next batch of rankings.
Football
- Ohio State is among the schools trying to keep up with the escalating salaries for assistant coaches. (Dispatch)
- AD Gene Smith supports having the Big Ten title game in Detroit, in an indoor facility. (Detroit Free Press)
- WR Jeff Greene, who is transferring to Ohio State as a walk-on, is an intriguing prospect. (Eleven Warriors)
- RIP to former OSU fullback Barry Walker, who died at age 49 of pancreatic cancer. He was a starter on a Rose Bowl team. (Lancaster Eagle Gazette)
- Land Grant Holy Land has some fun with Ohio State's "corpse flower."
- And Ohio State is hosting its second women's football clinic on June 8. (OSU)
Basketball
- With two early second-round picks, Deshaun Thomas could be on the board for the Cleveland Cavaliers, writes Bob Finnan. (News-Herald)
- Don't worry too much about the future of St. John Arena, at least for the next decade or so, writes Bob Hunter. (Dispatch)
- Former Buckeyes coach Randy Ayers is being inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. (Dispatch)
- Ohio State will only play Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin once each in basketball next season. (Dispatch)
The Gang's All Here
- Ohio State is taking a high-profile stand against homophobia in its athletic department. (Toledo Blade)
- OSU tennis player Peter Kobelt has a 135 mph serve and some big national goals. (Dispatch)
- The Buckeyes hired a women's tennis coach. (OSU)
- Ohio State, a lacrosse school? Hey, why not? (Eleven Warriors)
- But it didn't work out on Saturday against Cornell in the national quarterfinals.
Quips go to Pitt.
That is the expression in Western Pennsylvania. The elite prospects from talent-rich Aliquippa (Pa.) High almost exclusively go to nearby Pittsburgh to star for the Panthers. Jonathan Baldwin, Tommie Campbell and Darrelle Revis are all NFL players who came through Aliquippa and then Pitt.
So four-star athlete and ESPN 150 member Dravon Henry feels the pressure to stay close to home. In fact, Henry is related to Revis and former NFL lineman Sean Gilbert, who also went the route of Aliquippa to Pitt.
That is the expression in Western Pennsylvania. The elite prospects from talent-rich Aliquippa (Pa.) High almost exclusively go to nearby Pittsburgh to star for the Panthers. Jonathan Baldwin, Tommie Campbell and Darrelle Revis are all NFL players who came through Aliquippa and then Pitt.
So four-star athlete and ESPN 150 member Dravon Henry feels the pressure to stay close to home. In fact, Henry is related to Revis and former NFL lineman Sean Gilbert, who also went the route of Aliquippa to Pitt.
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Movement shuffles top five O-line targets
May, 17, 2013
May 17
10:05
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Don't like the air in the recruiting world today? Much like the weather in Ohio, wait two minutes, and things will change.
With news that offensive guard Demetrius Knox has set an official visit to Ohio State, and offensive Damian Prince is planning a one-day summer visit, things in the trenches took on a new look.
The top five targets of the Buckeyes looked to be taking shape after Sam Mustipher (Olney, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) and Quenton Nelson (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) committed to Notre Dame, but that has changed.
With that in mind, here’s a redux of the top five offensive linemen -- regardless of position Ohio State might be looking at now:
With news that offensive guard Demetrius Knox has set an official visit to Ohio State, and offensive Damian Prince is planning a one-day summer visit, things in the trenches took on a new look.
The top five targets of the Buckeyes looked to be taking shape after Sam Mustipher (Olney, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) and Quenton Nelson (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) committed to Notre Dame, but that has changed.
With that in mind, here’s a redux of the top five offensive linemen -- regardless of position Ohio State might be looking at now:
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Ohio State recruiting mailbag: Who's next
May, 17, 2013
May 17
10:00
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
It’s time to dip into the BuckeyeNation recruiting mailbag and answer some of your questions. We’ll try to give everyone a chance to get their questions answered. We encourage you to send your questions by Twitter at @bbournival, by email at brad.bournival.espn@gmail.com or by posting a question in the Horseshoe Pit forum.
@DelagrangeChris: Will junior college offensive tackles Chad Mavety and Jermaine Eluemunor visit Ohio State?
@DelagrangeChris: Will junior college offensive tackles Chad Mavety and Jermaine Eluemunor visit 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.