OSU Buckeyes: Tommy Sanders
Can Ohio State pledges nab more recruits? 
January, 8, 2013
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Marcus Baugh, Joey Bosa and Jalin Marshall have a tough act to follow this weekend.
The Ohio State commits have to try and at least equal what Ezekiel Elliott, Tracy Sprinkle, Tim Gardner, Cam Burrows, Billy Price, Evan Lisle, Darron Lee and Jayme Thompson did the first week of December.
The eight Buckeyes pledges were on hand for official visits a month ago along with Mike Mitchell, Donovan Munger, Gareon Conley and Tommy Sanders.
The Ohio State commits have to try and at least equal what Ezekiel Elliott, Tracy Sprinkle, Tim Gardner, Cam Burrows, Billy Price, Evan Lisle, Darron Lee and Jayme Thompson did the first week of December.
The eight Buckeyes pledges were on hand for official visits a month ago along with Mike Mitchell, Donovan Munger, Gareon Conley and Tommy Sanders.
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OSU being careful recruiting linebackers
December, 26, 2012
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) and Lewis Neal (Wilson, N.C./James B. Hunt) gave their decommitments to Ohio State and left for what they hope are greener pastures at Notre Dame and LSU, respectively.
Texas A&M signee Tommy Sanders (Cordele, Ga./Butler Community College) could have been a Buckeye, but many believe the numbers game in regards to the NCAA sanctions kept him from becoming a linebacker at Ohio State.
So why have the Buckeyes slow-played a position that looks like a desperate need?
Texas A&M signee Tommy Sanders (Cordele, Ga./Butler Community College) could have been a Buckeye, but many believe the numbers game in regards to the NCAA sanctions kept him from becoming a linebacker at Ohio State.
So why have the Buckeyes slow-played a position that looks like a desperate need?
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OSU Recruiting: A look back at the week
December, 24, 2012
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Ohio State didn’t get another commit out of the class of 2013, but that didn’t mean the Buckeyes went into the dead period without continuing to amp up efforts to land some big names.
From recruits scheduling visits to others setting announcement dates, here’s a look at how things shook out last week.
Ohio State began the week just hours after hearing Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) and Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett) were set to announce their college choices at their respective all-star games. The Buckeyes also found out Orlando Brown Jr. (Duluth, Ga./Peachtree Ridge) put them in his top eight.
From recruits scheduling visits to others setting announcement dates, here’s a look at how things shook out last week.
Ohio State began the week just hours after hearing Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) and Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett) were set to announce their college choices at their respective all-star games. The Buckeyes also found out Orlando Brown Jr. (Duluth, Ga./Peachtree Ridge) put them in his top eight.
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BuckeyeNation recruiting mailbag
December, 21, 2012
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
It’s time to dip into the BuckeyeNation recruiting mailbag and answer some of your questions.
We’ll keep it at five a week to give everyone a shot.
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.
We’ll keep it at five a week to give everyone a shot.
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.
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Recruiting notebook: Bell's visit crucial
December, 20, 2012
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Virtually every single Ohio State fan -- or at least those glued to Buckeyes recruiting -- has already circled Jan. 13.
There’s not a bowl game or some big commitment announcement scheduled for that date -- at least not yet -- but it is when ESPN 150 safety Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland) will conclude his official visit to Ohio State.
One of three schools lined up for Bell along with Alabama and Tennessee, Ohio State is getting the first visit of the bunch and could be the biggest for the Buckeyes.
There’s not a bowl game or some big commitment announcement scheduled for that date -- at least not yet -- but it is when ESPN 150 safety Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland) will conclude his official visit to Ohio State.
One of three schools lined up for Bell along with Alabama and Tennessee, Ohio State is getting the first visit of the bunch and could be the biggest for the Buckeyes.
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Aggies land four-star juco LB Sanders
December, 18, 2012
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Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
With just hours remaining before mid-year junior college transfers can sign a letter of intent, Texas A&M has landed a commitment from one of it's final remaining juco targets.
Butler (Kan.) Community College outside linebacker Tommy Sanders, the No. 33 player in the ESPN Junior College 100 and the top-rated linebacker, has given the Aggies his pledge, according to Butler assistant coach Keith Browning.
"Tommy will sign with Texas A&M per text message from him to me," Browning said.
Sanders, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound prospect, had offers from Baylor, Central Florida, Florida State, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Ohio State, South Carolina and South Florida in addition to the Aggies. He is the 34th commitment in the Aggies' 2013 class and the sixth linebacker.
In his 2012 season with Butler, Sanders recorded 70 tackles and led the team in both sacks (eight) and tackles for loss (20). He also picked off a pass and broke up 12 passes in his 12 games of action for the Grizzlies, who made it all the way to the Graphic Edge Bowl, the NJCAA's national title game.
Sanders will have two years of eligibility when he arrives at Texas A&M. He can sign a letter of intent with the Aggies on Wednesday. He is the ninth commitment in the Aggies' 2013 class who will enroll for the spring semester and the fourth junior-college commitment in the class.
- Tommy Sanders
- Outside linebacker (JC)
- 2013
- Uncommitted: List
| Pos Rk | Stars | Grade | Hometown |
| 80 | Cordele, GA |
"Tommy will sign with Texas A&M per text message from him to me," Browning said.
Sanders, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound prospect, had offers from Baylor, Central Florida, Florida State, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Ohio State, South Carolina and South Florida in addition to the Aggies. He is the 34th commitment in the Aggies' 2013 class and the sixth linebacker.
In his 2012 season with Butler, Sanders recorded 70 tackles and led the team in both sacks (eight) and tackles for loss (20). He also picked off a pass and broke up 12 passes in his 12 games of action for the Grizzlies, who made it all the way to the Graphic Edge Bowl, the NJCAA's national title game.
Sanders will have two years of eligibility when he arrives at Texas A&M. He can sign a letter of intent with the Aggies on Wednesday. He is the ninth commitment in the Aggies' 2013 class who will enroll for the spring semester and the fourth junior-college commitment in the class.
Tommy Sanders to announce Wednesday
December, 18, 2012
12/18/12
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Four-star outside linebacker Tommy Sanders (Cordele, Ga./Butler Community College) will likely be No. 20 or No. 34 on Wednesday.
That’s the 20th commit for either Ohio State or South Carolina or No. 34 for Texas A&M in the Class of 2013 after he makes his announcement.
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Filling out OSU's 2013 recruiting class
December, 18, 2012
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Just like commitments as of late, the ever-evolving world of recruiting changes almost every hour. The second one school seems like it has a player locked up, he’s off to another college and it’s back to the drawing board.
With that said, Ohio State might have room for five more in the class of 2013. It’s not an exact science, but the Buckeyes aren’t backing off names at all.
While the likes of James Quick, Cameron Hunt or Vonn Bell certainly won’t be told no, here’s a look at who might round out the Ohio State class come national signing day.
With that said, Ohio State might have room for five more in the class of 2013. It’s not an exact science, but the Buckeyes aren’t backing off names at all.
While the likes of James Quick, Cameron Hunt or Vonn Bell certainly won’t be told no, here’s a look at who might round out the Ohio State class come national signing day.
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Ohio State 2013: Needs versus wants
December, 18, 2012
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
It’s the dead period in college football recruiting, which means coaches can still call players once a week, but they can not make on- or off-campus contact with non mid-year enrollees.
With that said, the Buckeyes can probably take four or five more players in the Class of 2013 depending on medical hardships, players transferring or leaving early for the NFL draft.
Here’s a position by position look at what the Buckeyes want vs. what they need.
With that said, the Buckeyes can probably take four or five more players in the Class of 2013 depending on medical hardships, players transferring or leaving early for the NFL draft.
Here’s a position by position look at what the Buckeyes want vs. what they need.
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Another wild recruiting week for OSU
December, 17, 2012
12/17/12
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The dead period in recruiting might be here, but Ohio State wasted little time last week in getting in some last-minute offers, while taking visits as well.
No one committed -- at least not to the Buckeyes -- but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a ton of things going on from a team perspective.
Here’s a recap of what has become a common theme, a very busy recruiting week:
No one committed -- at least not to the Buckeyes -- but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a ton of things going on from a team perspective.
Here’s a recap of what has become a common theme, a very busy recruiting week:
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Ohio State hasn’t found out whether or not Tommy Sanders (Cordele, Ga./Butler Community College) has decided to commit to the Buckeyes, but they’ll know if their two biggest linebacking targets will join the team in three weeks.
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OLB Sanders has OSU offer, S.C. official
December, 14, 2012
12/14/12
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
If fans are looking for Tommy Sanders (Cordele, Ga./Butler Community College) this weekend, he’ll be in Columbia, S.C.
Butler coach Troy Morrell indicated Friday morning that his star outside linebacker was taking his official visit to South Carolina this weekend after meeting with Buckeyes assistant coach Luke Fickel on Thursday.
The latest development, however, is that Sanders now has an offer from Ohio State.
Butler coach Troy Morrell indicated Friday morning that his star outside linebacker was taking his official visit to South Carolina this weekend after meeting with Buckeyes assistant coach Luke Fickel on Thursday.
The latest development, however, is that Sanders now has an offer from Ohio State.
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Juco LB Sanders, OSU still talking
December, 13, 2012
12/13/12
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The Tommy Sanders (Cordele, Ga./Butler Community College) to Ohio State talk took a turn Wednesday night when rumors circulated that the junior college standout committed to the Buckeyes.
Those rumors were put to rest Thursday morning when the 6-foot-2, 215-pound outside linebacker indicated he had not committed via text message.
There is mutual interest even though Ohio State hasn’t tendered an offer just yet. In fact, both sides remain in contact as the mid-term signing day nears for junior college players -- it begins Dec. 19.
Those rumors were put to rest Thursday morning when the 6-foot-2, 215-pound outside linebacker indicated he had not committed via text message.
There is mutual interest even though Ohio State hasn’t tendered an offer just yet. In fact, both sides remain in contact as the mid-term signing day nears for junior college players -- it begins Dec. 19.
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Notebook: Detroit trio wants package deal
December, 13, 2012
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, Ga./Liberty), Clifton Garrett (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) and Dante Booker (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) might not be the only package deal Ohio State is looking for in the class of 2014.
The Detroit Martin Luther King junior trio of Jalen Embry, Carl Fuller and Avonte Maddox has talked about it and wouldn’t mind staying together in college as well.
And the early talk is that they wouldn’t mind it if Ohio State threw them an offer.
The Detroit Martin Luther King junior trio of Jalen Embry, Carl Fuller and Avonte Maddox has talked about it and wouldn’t mind staying together in college as well.
And the early talk is that they wouldn’t mind it if Ohio State threw them an offer.
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Buckeyes hoping for a special LB package
December, 12, 2012
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
While Ohio State is trying to boost its linebacker depth chart in the recruiting class of 2013, an even brighter future might sit just one year away.
To finish their 2013 class, the Buckeyes are after Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian), Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett) with the possibility of signing Tommy Sanders (Cordele, Ga./Butler Community College) or flipping James Hearns (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln).
But the dream Ohio State fans are hoping for in the class of 2014 isn’t that much of a stretch as Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, Ga./Liberty County), Clifton Garrett (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) and Dante Booker (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) are very much still plausible options as a package deal.
To finish their 2013 class, the Buckeyes are after Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian), Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett) with the possibility of signing Tommy Sanders (Cordele, Ga./Butler Community College) or flipping James Hearns (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln).
But the dream Ohio State fans are hoping for in the class of 2014 isn’t that much of a stretch as Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, Ga./Liberty County), Clifton Garrett (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) and Dante Booker (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) are very much still plausible options as a package deal.
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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.