OSU Buckeyes: J.T. Barrett
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 Brandon Harris, who wowed Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman in a workout last week before picking up an offer three days later.
Vitals: Harris (Bossier City, La./Parkway) is 6-foot-2 and 186 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 is Brandon Harris, who wowed Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman in a workout last week before picking up an offer three days later.
Vitals: Harris (Bossier City, La./Parkway) is 6-foot-2 and 186 pounds.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Pocket passer? Ohio State says no thanks 
March, 14, 2013
Mar 14
10:05
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
With apologies to Joe Bauserman and Todd Boeckman, there’s a certain quarterback Ohio State wants these days.
For the most part, it started when Troy Smith took over for Justin Zwick as the signal-caller and has continued ever since.
For the most part, it started when Troy Smith took over for Justin Zwick as the signal-caller and has continued ever since.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
As the 2014 recruiting class comes more and more into focus following what was yet another strong national signing day for Urban Meyer, BuckeyeNation will take a position-by-position look at the juniors.
Today, we examine the defensive line position. Though it’s a position of strength for Ohio State, Se’Von Pittman (Canton, Ohio/McKinley) did announce plans to transfer, thus opening up a spot for someone to take his place.
Today, we examine the defensive line position. Though it’s a position of strength for Ohio State, Se’Von Pittman (Canton, Ohio/McKinley) did announce plans to transfer, thus opening up a spot for someone to take his place.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Spring practice begins today at Ohio State, but the Buckeyes never stop recruiting.
On Feb. 6, Urban Meyer and Co. landed the third-ranked class in the nation after a 2012 recruiting campaign that put Ohio State sixth.
There are certain things we know about the Buckeyes as they fine-tune their lineup and other things that need addressed.
Here are five things we know about the future as they turn the recruiting calendar completely to 2014:
On Feb. 6, Urban Meyer and Co. landed the third-ranked class in the nation after a 2012 recruiting campaign that put Ohio State sixth.
There are certain things we know about the Buckeyes as they fine-tune their lineup and other things that need addressed.
Here are five things we know about the future as they turn the recruiting calendar completely to 2014:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
It’s time to dip into the BuckeyeNation recruiting mailbag and answer some of your questions.
We encourage you to send your questions by Twitter at @bbournival, e-mail at brad.bournival.espn@gmail.com or by posting a question in the Horseshoe Pit forum.
@buckeyefan6868: We know Urban Meyer needs linebackers and offensive linemen for 2014. What position is no one talking about that needs to be addressed?
We encourage you to send your questions by Twitter at @bbournival, e-mail at brad.bournival.espn@gmail.com or by posting a question in the Horseshoe Pit forum.
@buckeyefan6868: We know Urban Meyer needs linebackers and offensive linemen for 2014. What position is no one talking about that needs to be addressed?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Spring forward: Quarterback breakdown
February, 12, 2013
Feb 12
9:00
AM ET
By
Austin Ward | ESPN.com
With national signing day in the books, the next big date on the Ohio State calendar as it continues working toward an encore for an undefeated season in 2013 is spring practice. Before those workouts begin, BuckeyeNation will take a look at each position to see where the roster is at -- and where it's going.
QUARTERBACKS
QUARTERBACKS
[+] Enlarge
Greg Bartram/US PresswireAfter his heroics in an overtime victory over Purdue, Kenny Guiton is the solid No. 2 quarterback behind Braxton Miller.
Greg Bartram/US PresswireAfter his heroics in an overtime victory over Purdue, Kenny Guiton is the solid No. 2 quarterback behind Braxton Miller.- Who's back: The Buckeyes didn't lose either of the guys on the two-deep from the end of last season, and while Braxton Miller's job is carved in stone and Kenny Guiton's veteran experience makes him a handy backup, the situation behind center could be even more stable if Cardale Jones is able to keep making progress after one brief, extremely public bout of immaturity last fall.
- New face: Early enrollee J.T. Barrett will be limited physically during camp after undergoing surgery to repair a knee ligament torn last October, but he's quickly impressed with his knowledge of the game and leadership skills and should only provide a boost in the meeting room. The best-case scenario for Barrett is a redshirt season that would help separate him from Miller in terms of eligibility. The Buckeyes have the bodies and talent on hand to likely keep him on the sideline for a valuable year of development.
- Projected depth chart: Miller starting ahead of Guiton with Jones getting third-team work ahead of the recovering Barrett
- Numbers game: There was hardly any doubt that coach Urban Meyer's spread offense and Miller's multipurpose ability were going to be a perfect match, and the two quickly produced huge numbers on the scoreboard and have yet to lose a game together. But there is still room to grow as a passer for the rising junior, and Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman will be working hard to boost two numbers in particular -- 181.5 yards per game through the air and a completion percentage of 58.3 percent.
- One to watch: The Buckeyes know what kind of rare athlete they're working with as Miller readies for his third season as the starter, and Guiton's value off the bench was well documented a year ago as a junior. But this spring could wind up revealing plenty about Jones and how he fits in the picture down the road. It depends on how he develops physically, competes on the practice field and absorbs the playbook in meetings. Ohio State's situation at quarterback already would make most programs envious, but if it can get a third guy ready to potentially produced, or at least primed to be a backup when Miller is a senior, there might be more reason for jealousy.
- He said it: "I think we’ve got the best backup quarterback in college football, and potentially the best starting quarterback in college football. So, yeah, I guess that is kind of a luxury. ... Having Kenny and having Cardale now coming off a redshirt year and really understanding and buying into the program and what we expect out of him and out of that position certainly puts us in a position that probably a lot of schools would like to be in." -- Herman on signing day
We can almost put a bow on the 2013 recruiting class -- punter Johnny Townsend has not signed his letter of intent and is apparently having second thoughts -- and it was one of the best recruiting classes in school history.
The Buckeyes signed 24 players and finished third in the ESPN class rankings behind SEC powers Alabama and Florida, with 19 of the 24 signees at four stars or more.
Here's a recap of how the day unfolded. Follow the live blog after the jump.
Ohio State: Top five recruiting moments
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
10:05
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Every recruiting class can take a look back and say it all turned around at one point or another.
Ohio State’s second class under Urban Meyer is shaping up to stay in the top five in the nation -- the Buckeyes are currently fourth as signing day approaches on Wednesday.
Here’s a look back -- and little bit ahead -- in what has been a very wild 2013 recruiting season for Ohio State.
In order, here is what BuckeyeNation thinks are the top five moments from the battleground that shaped up this year’s recruiting class:
Ohio State’s second class under Urban Meyer is shaping up to stay in the top five in the nation -- the Buckeyes are currently fourth as signing day approaches on Wednesday.
Here’s a look back -- and little bit ahead -- in what has been a very wild 2013 recruiting season for Ohio State.
In order, here is what BuckeyeNation thinks are the top five moments from the battleground that shaped up this year’s recruiting class:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Ohio State: Five worst recruiting moments
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
10:00
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
If fans don’t have a seatbelt, they’ll likely fall out of the rollercoaster, especially when it comes to recruiting and following the ebb and flow of the wild ride.
One second it might look like Ohio State is onto something, and the next second it all falls apart.
There have been far more hits than misses for the Buckeyes in the recruiting class of 2013. That said, there have been some low points as well. Here’s a look back at five things Ohio State fans would rather forget from the past year.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
It's Lone Star love for Urban Meyer
January, 30, 2013
Jan 30
10:05
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The Lone Star state is a five-star state, especially when it comes to recruiting and Urban Meyer at Ohio State.
While much is being made of the two-time national champion coach's love for Georgia athletes, Texas is one of the top three recruiting states in the nation, and Meyer knows it.
The Peach State might have 15 offers alone in the class of 2014 from Meyer, but Texas isn’t far behind.
While much is being made of the two-time national champion coach's love for Georgia athletes, Texas is one of the top three recruiting states in the nation, and Meyer knows it.
The Peach State might have 15 offers alone in the class of 2014 from Meyer, but Texas isn’t far behind.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
OSU tops Michigan in final ESPN 150/300
January, 10, 2013
Jan 10
1:07
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The Horseshoe isn’t the only place Ohio State beat Michigan this season, as the Buckeyes’ 2013 recruiting class is currently ahead of the Wolverines after the final ESPN 150 and 300 lists were released.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
It looks as if Ohio State hasn’t given up in finding an offensive lineman to round out its 2013 recruiting class.
The Buckeyes are working hard on getting at least one more big man in the class.
They have targets in Dan Skipper (Arvada, Colo./Arvada) and Cameron Hunt (Corona, Calif./Centennial). That’s not news. What is news is the recent developments of landing the two.
The Buckeyes are working hard on getting at least one more big man in the class.
They have targets in Dan Skipper (Arvada, Colo./Arvada) and Cameron Hunt (Corona, Calif./Centennial). That’s not news. What is news is the recent developments of landing the two.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
QB commit gets confirmation of torn ACL
October, 11, 2012
10/11/12
2:46
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The second opinion for J.T. Barrett (Wichita Falls, Texas/Rider) came back almost the same as the first and the ESPN 300 dual-threat quarterback will have surgery on Oct. 23 to repair a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Barrett planted his right leg but was hit from behind, causing the injury during a 44-17 win over Brewer on Friday.
In Rider’s opening drive, Barrett rushed for 49 yards and a score and was 2-of-4 for 41 yards, but then the injury to his right knee happened.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Barrett planted his right leg but was hit from behind, causing the injury during a 44-17 win over Brewer on Friday.
In Rider’s opening drive, Barrett rushed for 49 yards and a score and was 2-of-4 for 41 yards, but then the injury to his right knee happened.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Recruits line up for Ohio State-Nebraska
October, 4, 2012
10/04/12
11:00
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Saturday’s home game against Nebraska isn’t just a chance to impress the pollsters as much as it is an opportunity to grab the attention of some of the biggest recruits for Ohio State.
The list for the primetime game against the Cornhuskers reads like a who’s who of candidates for the Buckeyes starting with former Penn State commit Dorian Johnson (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon). No. 27 in the ESPN 150, the second-ranked offensive tackle leads the list of headliners planning to attend and is followed by James Quick (Louisville, Ky./Trinity) at wide receiver.
Both have Ohio State in their top three. Johnson rounds out his list with Pitt and Virginia Tech, while Quick (No. 57) comes in with Louisville and Oregon.
The list for the primetime game against the Cornhuskers reads like a who’s who of candidates for the Buckeyes starting with former Penn State commit Dorian Johnson (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon). No. 27 in the ESPN 150, the second-ranked offensive tackle leads the list of headliners planning to attend and is followed by James Quick (Louisville, Ky./Trinity) at wide receiver.
Both have Ohio State in their top three. Johnson rounds out his list with Pitt and Virginia Tech, while Quick (No. 57) comes in with Louisville and Oregon.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
How OSU commits fared over weekend
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
12:41
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Rain took center stage for many Ohio State commits, pushing games back to as late as Sunday, if at all.
Buckeyes pledges had some great and some not-so-great performances this weekend, but J.T. Barrett’s heroics might be the centerpiece of the 15 contests that took place.
The quarterback scored a late, game-winning touchdown to snap Ryan’s 25-game win streak in Rider’s 21-15 triumph.
Buckeyes pledges had some great and some not-so-great performances this weekend, but J.T. Barrett’s heroics might be the centerpiece of the 15 contests that took place.
The quarterback scored a late, game-winning touchdown to snap Ryan’s 25-game win streak in Rider’s 21-15 triumph.
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.