| 02 February 2012
In what was nothing short of an amazing signing day for Ohio State, the newly formed Buckeye Bloggers Network got together to take a look at Urban Meyers first Buckeye recruiting class. Together, we throw our perspective at the three questions below. Be sure to check out the other recruiting posts at The Buckeye Battle Cry, The Buckeye Blog, Men of the Scarlet and Gray, Our Honor Defend and The Silver Bullet.
Who are you most excited to see in the Scarlet and Gray?
Tyvis Powell.
Today was a special day. It was, in many ways, both a catharsis and a reward for Buckeye fans that suffered through the year 2011. Urban Meyer’s arrival has brought with it a wealth of blue-chip commitments. All of those young men will be electric on the football field. All of these young men will excite Buckeye fans, most for the next four years.
But in the aftermath of the pomp and circumstance of National Signing Day, it’s important to remember the recruits who chose Ohio State before Urban. The recruits who chose Ohio State before “multiple national championships” were on the horizon.
Each of Ohio State’s commitments took a big step towards becoming a true Buckeye today. But they’re all playing catch-up to Tyvis Powell. Powell committed to the Buckeyes two days after Jim Tressel’s resignation. He chose to come to Ohio State at the same time Kyle Kalis was scampering to Ann Arbor. He told Buckeye Nation what the Scarlet and Gray meant to him every week on this blog.
I’m most excited to see Tyvis Powell in Scarlet and Gray because, of the 25 new Buckeyes, he’s the most excited to wear the colors. It’s an honor to have him.
Who makes an immediate impact from the 2012 class?
Armani Reeves and Najee Murray.
Even in a star-studded, universally acclaimed recruiting class like this one, many freshman won’t see the field their first year in Columbus. That’s not true for the only two true cornerbacks the Buckeyes landed, Reeves and Murray.
After the dismissals of Dominic Clarke and DerJuan Gambrell, both cornerbacks, the Buckeyes were left with three players at one of the most important positions on the field. Naturally, the Buckeyes needed depth. Badly.
They got it with Reeves and Murray. One of those two will have a place on the two-deep depth chart this fall. The other will see substantial playing time. With Reeves, Murray, and Bradley Roby (a future stud) on board and Cam Burrows following in 2013, cornerback is on its way from being a weakness to a strength for the Buckeyes.
Who do you wish that OSU hadn’t “missed” on?
It’s nearly impossible to complain about the 2012 recruiting crop. Urban Meyer has assembled a deep class that addresses all of the Buckeyes’ major needs, a particularly impressive accomplishment considering that when he took the job two and a half months ago, the Buckeyes seemed destined to settle for “above average.” Meyer has landed every recruit he’s prioritized. He hasn’t “missed.” Not yet.
As a consequence of Jim Tressel’s misdeeds, one of the penalties handed to Ohio State was a reduction in yearly scholarships from 85 to 82 for the next three seasons. According to Urban Meyer, the Buckeyes have 81 players committed to the program, indicating that there is some attrition the fans and media aren’t privy to yet. Meyer also said the Buckeyes still need to add a burner on offense.
Two remaining Buckeye targets fit the bill: Devonte Neal and Stefon Diggs. Both are elite playmakers. If Ohio State’s final scholarship is used, the Buckeyes will give it to one of these two young men.
Mike Farrell of Rivals reported on Twitter Thursday evening that Neal tried to commit to the Buckeyes but couldn’t. If true, that’s an indication the Buckeyes have limited their focus to Diggs. It seems unlikely that Urban wouldn’t accept Neal’s commitment until Diggs were on board, but the reality is that nobody knows for sure where Diggs will sign. If his National Letter of Intent isn’t signed and faxed, this is a risk.
Stefon Diggs is a game changing, instant-impact wide receiver who would take an excellent recruiting class to legendary status. If he isn’t a Buckeye, this class would still be remarkable, but he’d be “the one that got away.” The one Meyer “missed.”
Luckily, that story isn’t written yet.
More on Signing Day from The Buckeye Bloggers Network
Buckeye Battlecry | Three Questions from Ohio State's 2012 Signing Day
Men of the Scarelt and Gray | National Signing Day - The Aftermath
Our Honor Defend | National Signing Day Thoughts
The Buckeye Blog | It's a Great Day for Ohio State - Thoughts on Signing Day
The Silver Buller | Family Feud - Three Questions from Ohio State's 2012 Signing Day
