OSU Buckeyes: Donovan Munger
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.
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.
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Derek Barnett (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy) might already know what it’s like to play for Ohio State.
The 6-foot-3, 269-pound defensive end can’t help himself because he received an earful from his grandfather Gerald Kasunic growing up. See, Kasunic played for the Buckeyes in the early 1960s so the scarlet and gray has always been a topic of discussion in the Barnett household.
A fan of the Buckeyes, Barnett has heard the stories. Just how many, he’s not sure.
So when Ohio State called with an offer on Wednesday, it took him back a bit.
The 6-foot-3, 269-pound defensive end can’t help himself because he received an earful from his grandfather Gerald Kasunic growing up. See, Kasunic played for the Buckeyes in the early 1960s so the scarlet and gray has always been a topic of discussion in the Barnett household.
A fan of the Buckeyes, Barnett has heard the stories. Just how many, he’s not sure.
So when Ohio State called with an offer on Wednesday, it took him back a bit.
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Some coaches come out in flurry. Some like to wait and close the door behind everyone else.
While Michigan and Ohio State go at the recruiting process differently -- or more to the point, Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer -- both strategies work.
Hoke has the No. 1 2014 recruiting class right now. Michigan held the same distinction at this point last year before falling to No. 6. And no one closes quite like Meyer.
While Michigan and Ohio State go at the recruiting process differently -- or more to the point, Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer -- both strategies work.
Hoke has the No. 1 2014 recruiting class right now. Michigan held the same distinction at this point last year before falling to No. 6. And no one closes quite like Meyer.
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This month is very important for Ohio State, as the staff is set to host its senior advanced camp on Sunday. Hundreds of prospects will be in attendance, including several top targets. Here are five storylines to watch this week:
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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State’s defensive line should need no introduction over the next few seasons.
From Noah Spence to Adolphus Washington to Michael Bennett to Joel Hale to Steve Miller to J.T. Moore, the names stick out and are full of potential.
Throw in Chris Carter and Tommy Schutt with newcomers Joey Bosa, Tyquan Lewis, Michael Hill, Donovan Munger, Billy Price and Tracy Sprinkle and the future looks bright.
So why would defensive end Dylan Thompson (Lombard, Ill./Montini Catholic) throw his name in the mix and join the 2014 pledges as future Buckeyes?
From Noah Spence to Adolphus Washington to Michael Bennett to Joel Hale to Steve Miller to J.T. Moore, the names stick out and are full of potential.
Throw in Chris Carter and Tommy Schutt with newcomers Joey Bosa, Tyquan Lewis, Michael Hill, Donovan Munger, Billy Price and Tracy Sprinkle and the future looks bright.
So why would defensive end Dylan Thompson (Lombard, Ill./Montini Catholic) throw his name in the mix and join the 2014 pledges as future Buckeyes?
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College camp scene is vital to recruiting 
June, 4, 2013
Jun 4
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
It’s a job interview, but for whom?
While official visits are important in landing pledges, summer camps on university campuses are almost as vital in the recruiting scene.
The summer months are a quiet period for coaches, and that means face-to-face contact can only be made on a campus.
Ohio State will have a number of camps, but the big ones on June 9, June 21 and July 26 will likely produce commitments. That is if those three dates pan out like in years past.
While official visits are important in landing pledges, summer camps on university campuses are almost as vital in the recruiting scene.
The summer months are a quiet period for coaches, and that means face-to-face contact can only be made on a campus.
Ohio State will have a number of camps, but the big ones on June 9, June 21 and July 26 will likely produce commitments. That is if those three dates pan out like in years past.
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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 is defensive tackle Dylan Thompson, who hails from the same high school as former Buckeyes nose tackle Garrett Goebel.
Vitals: Dylan Thompson (Lombard, Ill./Montini Catholic) is 6-foot-5 and 274 pounds.
Status: He committed to Ohio State on March 23 during an unofficial visit.
Vitals: Dylan Thompson (Lombard, Ill./Montini Catholic) is 6-foot-5 and 274 pounds.
Status: He committed to Ohio State on March 23 during an unofficial visit.
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Step back from the ledge, please.
When the ESPN 150 rankings came out Thursday, Ohio State Buckeyes fans were either freaking out or in an uproar.
How could Michigan land every one of its commitments in the top 150, while Ohio State can boast only Damon Webb (Detroit/Cass Tech) in the elite group?
When the ESPN 150 rankings came out Thursday, Ohio State Buckeyes fans were either freaking out or in an uproar.
How could Michigan land every one of its commitments in the top 150, while Ohio State can boast only Damon Webb (Detroit/Cass Tech) in the elite group?
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Gray matters: It's all Ohio State for Jones
April, 17, 2013
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Calm down.
That’s what Marcelys Jones (Cleveland/Glenville) is doing and that’s what he wants Ohio State fans to do as well.
Jones, who visited the Buckeyes on April 6, made a few comments on Twitter a few months ago that didn’t exactly jibe with Ohio State followers.
That’s what Marcelys Jones (Cleveland/Glenville) is doing and that’s what he wants Ohio State fans to do as well.
Jones, who visited the Buckeyes on April 6, made a few comments on Twitter a few months ago that didn’t exactly jibe with Ohio State followers.
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WRs focus of Ohio State visitors weekend
April, 12, 2013
Apr 12
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Last weekend, the stars came out to see Ohio State.
One ESPN Watch List junior after another watched the Buckeyes practice and the scarlet and gray picked up linebacker commitments from Sam Hubbard (Cincinnati/Moeller) and Kyle Berger (Cleveland/St. Ignatius).
While the list isn’t as strong for the spring game in Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium on Saturday, there are still some big names on their way.
One ESPN Watch List junior after another watched the Buckeyes practice and the scarlet and gray picked up linebacker commitments from Sam Hubbard (Cincinnati/Moeller) and Kyle Berger (Cleveland/St. Ignatius).
While the list isn’t as strong for the spring game in Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium on Saturday, there are still some big names on their way.
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ESPN Watch List DE will wait for perfect fit
April, 9, 2013
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Don’t expect a jump into the commitment pool from Joe Henderson (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) any time soon.
The ESPN Watch List defensive end has been a student of the recruiting game and watched how former teammate Donovan Munger went through the paces before committing to Ohio State in December.
With more than 10 offers now and more soon to come, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Henderson will wait things out before finding that perfect fit.
The ESPN Watch List defensive end has been a student of the recruiting game and watched how former teammate Donovan Munger went through the paces before committing to Ohio State in December.
With more than 10 offers now and more soon to come, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Henderson will wait things out before finding that perfect fit.
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Ohio State practice floors Watch List DE
April, 4, 2013
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Ohio State is nothing new to ESPN Watch List defensive end Verondtae Wilkinson (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison), but the Buckeyes certainly opened his eyes on Thursday.
In town for an unofficial visit, Wilkinson thought he knew the ins and outs of Ohio State. His former teammate Cam Burrows is now a cornerback for the Buckeyes, so it should have been the same old same old right?
Wrong.
In town for an unofficial visit, Wilkinson thought he knew the ins and outs of Ohio State. His former teammate Cam Burrows is now a cornerback for the Buckeyes, so it should have been the same old same old right?
Wrong.
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Meyer using hoops success in recruiting
March, 21, 2013
Mar 21
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Winning is good business, especially when it comes to Ohio State and recruiting.
While many of the top athletes in the Class of 2014 have pointed to the Buckeyes being the only undefeated football team in Division I as a reason to look at the university, it goes beyond the gridiron.
In fact, it can rest on the hardwood as well, as the Ohio State men’s basketball team won the Big Ten Tournament for the third time in four years. In doing so, the Buckeyes locked up a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.
While many of the top athletes in the Class of 2014 have pointed to the Buckeyes being the only undefeated football team in Division I as a reason to look at the university, it goes beyond the gridiron.
In fact, it can rest on the hardwood as well, as the Ohio State men’s basketball team won the Big Ten Tournament for the third time in four years. In doing so, the Buckeyes locked up a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.
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State of the Rivalry: Defensive line
February, 26, 2013
Feb 26
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By Brad Bournival & Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
The writers at WolverineNation and BuckeyeNation put their heads together to break down the rivals' 2013 recruiting classes. They'll give readers a position-by-position look at who coaches Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer signed and, ultimately, which class edged out the other. It's too early to say what will happen through the next few seasons, and we won't make any promises except that Hoke and Meyer are going to put talent on the field.
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Eric Francis/Getty ImagesOhio State will have to find a way to replace Johnathan Hankins.DEFENSIVE TACKLES
- Who's back: The void in the middle of the defensive line is substantial, but that doesn't mean it's likely to become a black hole for Ohio State as it transitions to life without Johnathan Hankins and Garrett Goebel. Losing a talent like Hankins early to the NFL draft was a major blow to the defense even if it was expected, and Goebel's senior season was quietly productive and steady even if it wasn't flashy as the combination of the two big guys plugged gaps and often made rushing up the middle a fruitless proposition for opponents. But there are talented guys in reserve up front, even if there doesn't appear to be all that much depth heading into spring practice. Michael Bennett and his versatile set of skills will be put to use on the interior, and junior Joel Hale and sophomore Tommy Schutt both have the ability to handle the first-team load after filling in off the bench a year ago. Those three guys will be the focal point, charged with picking up where Hankins and Goebel left off.
- New face: The Buckeyes have two recent signees already on campus and ready to go to work in the spring, though both are listed as defensive ends and don't appear to have the size needed to battle at the interior spots. But either way, Tracy Sprinkle (6-foot-2, 241 pounds) and Tyquan Lewis (6-foot-3, 223) could potentially allow line coach Mike Vrabel to tinker with his rotation a bit, particularly with somebody like inside-outside guy Adolphus Washington who is capable of playing multiple positions. Natural tackles Michael Hill, Joey Bosa, Billy Price and Donovan Munger will bulk up the group in August.
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.