OSU Buckeyes: Eli Woodard
Eli Woodard changes name to Eli Apple 
December, 21, 2012
12/21/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Ohio State didn’t pick up another commitment. There aren’t two Elis in the 2013 recruiting class for the Buckeyes either.
It’s just one individual honoring the man who has raised him for most of his life.
Eli Woodard has changed his last name to Apple and the change will take effect immediately.
It’s just one individual honoring the man who has raised him for most of his life.
Eli Woodard has changed his last name to Apple and the change will take effect immediately.
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Ohio State 2013 class: 5 things to know
December, 19, 2012
12/19/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
There’s still plenty of time left for Ohio State to land some heavy hitters in the recruiting class of 2013.
There are 48 days, to be exact, as the Buckeyes diligently work on what they hope is a top five class in the country.
There are some things we know about the class of 2013 and certain things we don’t. Here’s what recruiting writers and fans alike have figured out about Urban Meyer’s second class as the head man for Ohio State:
There are 48 days, to be exact, as the Buckeyes diligently work on what they hope is a top five class in the country.
There are some things we know about the class of 2013 and certain things we don’t. Here’s what recruiting writers and fans alike have figured out about Urban Meyer’s second class as the head man for Ohio State:
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Gareon Conley's talent is huge upside
December, 7, 2012
12/07/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) became commit No. 18 to Ohio State’s recruiting class, and Urban Meyer has to be out-of-his-mind ecstatic about getting the 6-foot-1, 165-pound senior on campus.
Analysts throw the term around "raw talent" all the time. Conley epitomizes the phrase.
A basketball player -- he still plays varsity for the Tigers -- the senior tried out for the team after Massillon football coach Jason Hall begged him.
Analysts throw the term around "raw talent" all the time. Conley epitomizes the phrase.
A basketball player -- he still plays varsity for the Tigers -- the senior tried out for the team after Massillon football coach Jason Hall begged him.
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Jayme Thompson’s statistics weren’t that impressive on paper, but it can be argued the Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic safety is the reason the Fighting Irish beat Trotwood-Madison 16-12 in the Division II state championship.
His tackle on a fourth-and-2 call in the second quarter set up Central Catholic for a touchdown to make it a 14-point contest.
He was also part of a defense that held the Rams to 227 yards total offense.
His tackle on a fourth-and-2 call in the second quarter set up Central Catholic for a touchdown to make it a 14-point contest.
He was also part of a defense that held the Rams to 227 yards total offense.
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Analysis: Decommits could be big for OSU
November, 27, 2012
11/27/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Urban Meyer’s 2013 recruiting class might get a big shot in the arm and the first-year coach did little to stoke the fire. Two ESPN 150 targets announced their decommitments on Tuesday.
The fact both were in Columbus on Saturday to watch Ohio State beat Michigan 26-21 makes it very intriguing.
Former Auburn commit Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett) was the first to throw his hat back in the ring after the dismissal of Tigers coach Gene Chizik. The linebacker will have an in-house visit from Buckeyes assistant Luke Fickell on Wednesday.
The fact both were in Columbus on Saturday to watch Ohio State beat Michigan 26-21 makes it very intriguing.
Former Auburn commit Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett) was the first to throw his hat back in the ring after the dismissal of Tigers coach Gene Chizik. The linebacker will have an in-house visit from Buckeyes assistant Luke Fickell on Wednesday.
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2013 class ready to join solidified Bucks
November, 26, 2012
11/26/12
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Ohio State commits sat surrounded by cement on Saturday and all they could talk about was concrete.
What they saw Saturday was a foundation for an Ohio State house they hope will be strong by the time they graduate.
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Ezekiel Elliott (St. Louis/John Burroughs) might not have gotten the result he wanted, but the ESPN 150 running back left his mark on Missouri high school football.
In the Class 3 state championship game, Elliott scored 3 touchdowns and had a tournament-record 419 all-purpose yards in a 35-22 loss to Maryville.
He finished his career with 100 touchdowns.
In the Class 3 state championship game, Elliott scored 3 touchdowns and had a tournament-record 419 all-purpose yards in a 35-22 loss to Maryville.
He finished his career with 100 touchdowns.
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From ESPN 150 players such as Eli Woodard, Cam Burrows, Ezekiel Elliott and Trey Johnson to ESPN 300 Ohio State commits such as J.T. Barrett, Jayme Thompson and Michael Hill, it was a memorable weekend at The Horseshoe on Saturday.
ESPN 300 athletes Shelton Gibson and Donovan Munger joined ESPN Watch List juniors like Raekwon McMillan, Jimmy Byrne, Drew Barker, Kyle Trout, Jamarco Jones and Darius West to sing the praises of their most recent visit to Columbus.
ESPN 300 athletes Shelton Gibson and Donovan Munger joined ESPN Watch List juniors like Raekwon McMillan, Jimmy Byrne, Drew Barker, Kyle Trout, Jamarco Jones and Darius West to sing the praises of their most recent visit to Columbus.
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Meyer keeps pumping out great classes
November, 21, 2012
11/21/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- One of Urban Meyer’s keys to victory isn’t that difficult to figure out. While he is having almost unprecedented success as a first-year coach at Ohio State -- there have only been two other coaches to start with 11 consecutive wins at the school -- it all begins in the recruiting world.
Meyer has long been known as a tireless recruiter and will work until the last possible second to either flip a prospective commit or land the big name. His recruiting class in February ranked sixth -- the highest it has been since 2008 -- as his resume no doubt brought some of the bigger name recruits from other programs.
Taylor Decker, Kyle Dodson, Se’Von Pittman, Joey O’Connor, Tommy Schutt, Armani Reeves and Camren Williams were all destined for other universities before becoming Buckeyes nine months ago. Meyer had similar success at Florida as the Gators were almost always in the upper echelon of the class rankings.
Meyer has long been known as a tireless recruiter and will work until the last possible second to either flip a prospective commit or land the big name. His recruiting class in February ranked sixth -- the highest it has been since 2008 -- as his resume no doubt brought some of the bigger name recruits from other programs.
Taylor Decker, Kyle Dodson, Se’Von Pittman, Joey O’Connor, Tommy Schutt, Armani Reeves and Camren Williams were all destined for other universities before becoming Buckeyes nine months ago. Meyer had similar success at Florida as the Gators were almost always in the upper echelon of the class rankings.
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Star recruits psyched for OSU-Michigan
November, 21, 2012
11/21/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The laundry list of players scheduled to visit The Horseshoe this weekend is a virtual who’s who among the top recruits in the nation.
In fact, it would have been even stronger if some individuals weren’t still in their respective high school playoffs.
Still, with names such as ESPN 150 linebackers Daniel McMillian and Trey Johnson, and wide receiver James Quick scheduled to make official visits, it’s an impressive collection.
In fact, it would have been even stronger if some individuals weren’t still in their respective high school playoffs.
Still, with names such as ESPN 150 linebackers Daniel McMillian and Trey Johnson, and wide receiver James Quick scheduled to make official visits, it’s an impressive collection.
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OSU commits will meet in state semifinals
November, 19, 2012
11/19/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Division II will be where it’s at in Ohio this weekend as far as Ohio State commits are concerned.
Darron Lee (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany), Cam Burrows (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood) and Jayme Thompson (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) each reached the state semifinals with their teams. Lee and Burrows will square off in one semifinal on Friday night, and Thompson is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Aurora in the other.
Here’s how the 17 Ohio State commits fared over the weekend in high school action:
J.T. Barrett: Rider (Texas) quarterback is out for season with knee injury. His team beat Dunbar 44-26 in bi-district round of Class 4A Division II playoffs.
Marcus Baugh: John W. North (Calif.) tight end season finished.
Joey Bosa: Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas defensive tackle held Miami Beach to one touchdown in 42-7 Class 7A opening round victory.
Cam Burrows: Trotwood-Madison cornerback recorded six tackles in 42-14 Division II, Region 8 win over Cincinnati Turpin.
Ezekiel Elliott: John Burroughs (Mo.) and its running back advanced to a third consecutive Class 3 title game with 28-6 win over Monett. Elliott rushed for 233 yards and scored three touchdowns to bring career total to 97 scores.
Tim Gardner: Lawrence Central (Ind.) offensive tackle helped Bears rush for 305 yards in 28-15 Class 5A semifinal win over Center Grove.
Michael Hill: Pendleton (S.C.) defensive tackle season finished.
Taivon Jacobs: Suitland (Md.) wide receiver caught 7 passes for 88 yards and scored touchdown in 41-6 Maryland 4A South regional final loss to Wise.
Darron Lee: New Albany safety sealed 32-30 Division II, Region 7 win over Marion-Franklin with interception in waning moments. He also scored two touchdowns from quarterback position and returned punt for another score.
Tyquan Lewis: Tarboro (N.C.) defensive end/linebacker watched Vikings jump out to 30-point lead as team beat Northeastern 52-24 in third round of 2A playoffs.
Evan Lisle: Centerville (Ohio) offensive tackle season finished.
Jalin Marshall: Middletown (Ohio) athlete season finished.
Billy Price: Austintown Fitch (Ohio) defensive tackle season finished.
Tracy Sprinkle: Elyria (Ohio) defensive tackle season finished.
Jayme Thompson: Toledo Central Catholic safety held Michigan commit Ross Douglas to 26 yards receiving and 16 yards rushing, intercepted pass for touchdown and recorded sack in 42-14 Division II, Region 6 final win over Avon. Douglas finished with 69 yards rushing, but 53 came in fourth quarter with Thompson on bench.
Johnny Townsend: Orlando (Fla.) Boone punter season finished.
Eli Woodard: Eastern (N.J.) cornerback caught 8-yard touchdown pass on offense to lead team to a 41-38 win over River North in Group 5 postseason opener.
Darron Lee (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany), Cam Burrows (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood) and Jayme Thompson (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) each reached the state semifinals with their teams. Lee and Burrows will square off in one semifinal on Friday night, and Thompson is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Aurora in the other.
Here’s how the 17 Ohio State commits fared over the weekend in high school action:
J.T. Barrett: Rider (Texas) quarterback is out for season with knee injury. His team beat Dunbar 44-26 in bi-district round of Class 4A Division II playoffs.
Marcus Baugh: John W. North (Calif.) tight end season finished.
Joey Bosa: Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas defensive tackle held Miami Beach to one touchdown in 42-7 Class 7A opening round victory.
Cam Burrows: Trotwood-Madison cornerback recorded six tackles in 42-14 Division II, Region 8 win over Cincinnati Turpin.
Ezekiel Elliott: John Burroughs (Mo.) and its running back advanced to a third consecutive Class 3 title game with 28-6 win over Monett. Elliott rushed for 233 yards and scored three touchdowns to bring career total to 97 scores.
Tim Gardner: Lawrence Central (Ind.) offensive tackle helped Bears rush for 305 yards in 28-15 Class 5A semifinal win over Center Grove.
Michael Hill: Pendleton (S.C.) defensive tackle season finished.
Taivon Jacobs: Suitland (Md.) wide receiver caught 7 passes for 88 yards and scored touchdown in 41-6 Maryland 4A South regional final loss to Wise.
Darron Lee: New Albany safety sealed 32-30 Division II, Region 7 win over Marion-Franklin with interception in waning moments. He also scored two touchdowns from quarterback position and returned punt for another score.
Tyquan Lewis: Tarboro (N.C.) defensive end/linebacker watched Vikings jump out to 30-point lead as team beat Northeastern 52-24 in third round of 2A playoffs.
Evan Lisle: Centerville (Ohio) offensive tackle season finished.
Jalin Marshall: Middletown (Ohio) athlete season finished.
Billy Price: Austintown Fitch (Ohio) defensive tackle season finished.
Tracy Sprinkle: Elyria (Ohio) defensive tackle season finished.
Jayme Thompson: Toledo Central Catholic safety held Michigan commit Ross Douglas to 26 yards receiving and 16 yards rushing, intercepted pass for touchdown and recorded sack in 42-14 Division II, Region 6 final win over Avon. Douglas finished with 69 yards rushing, but 53 came in fourth quarter with Thompson on bench.
Johnny Townsend: Orlando (Fla.) Boone punter season finished.
Eli Woodard: Eastern (N.J.) cornerback caught 8-yard touchdown pass on offense to lead team to a 41-38 win over River North in Group 5 postseason opener.
The recruiting week that was/will be
November, 15, 2012
11/15/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
There is more than just an outright Big Ten Leaders Division title at stake this weekend for Ohio State (10-0, 6-0) when the Buckeyes take on Legends leader Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1) on Saturday.
The game also provides a chance to impress some big names, as ESPN Watch List juniors Dominique Booth (Indianapolis/Pike), Clifton Garrett (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) and Kyle Trout (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster) are planning on making trips to Camp Randall Stadium to take in the game.
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Ezekiel Elliott (St. Louis/John Burroughs).
Enough said really.
The 6-foot, 205-pound running back scored his 92nd, 93rd and 94th career touchdowns to lead the Bombers to another Class 3A state semifinal. This time it came in a 24-0 win over Park Hills Central as Elliott rushed for 177 yards and the aforementioned three scores.
Enough said really.
The 6-foot, 205-pound running back scored his 92nd, 93rd and 94th career touchdowns to lead the Bombers to another Class 3A state semifinal. This time it came in a 24-0 win over Park Hills Central as Elliott rushed for 177 yards and the aforementioned three scores.
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Johnny Townsend (Orlando, Fla./Boone) is more than just a punter. While his 58-yard boot turned into a muffed punt that Boone recovered inside the 10, the Ohio State commit also recorded a sack and five tackles from his safety position. It led to a playoff-clinching 35-7 win over Cypress Creek.
Here’s how the other 16 Buckeyes commits fared over the weekend:
J.T. Barrett: Rider (Texas) quarterback is out for season with torn ACL and meniscus. Team still beat Denton 40-7.
Here’s how the other 16 Buckeyes commits fared over the weekend:
J.T. Barrett: Rider (Texas) quarterback is out for season with torn ACL and meniscus. Team still beat Denton 40-7.
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John W. North (Calif.) picked up the win; Ohio State commit Marcus Baugh sizzled.
The future Buckeyes tight end kept North above .500 in a 38-0 win over Poly with a 54-yard touchdown reception on the team’s first possession. He added an 18-yard touchdown reception for good measure as North improved to 5-4.
Here’s a look at how the other 16 Ohio State commits fared:
The future Buckeyes tight end kept North above .500 in a 38-0 win over Poly with a 54-yard touchdown reception on the team’s first possession. He added an 18-yard touchdown reception for good measure as North improved to 5-4.
Here’s a look at how the other 16 Ohio State commits fared:
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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.