| 26 August 2010
How long ago were we all speculating just how big this class could be? It seems like just yesterday we were saying at least twenty-two, could see twenty-three or even twenty-four and there wass a possibility of a full boat.
We are now looking at seventeen. A month ago we had reason to discuss, how are we going to get all these players in here? Have times ever changed. For the class of 2011 I only count sixteen offers out there and only six recruits, Doran Grant, Andre Sturdivant, Aundray Walker, Shane Wynn, Ejuan Price, Conner Crowell, looking like they could land in Columbus. That sixteen number includes players like running back Demitrius Hart and super defenisve end prospect Ray Drew, who if they have ever mentioned the Buckeyes I have never seen it. It includes players like Wayne Lyons who has eliminated the Buckeyes and Dondi Kirby who came to an agreement with the staff that his timeline and our timeline did not jive. Bill Kurelic reported not too long ago that his sources tell him the Buckeyes are no longer recruiting Kevin McReynolds. So many players committed. Some to Ohio State and some to other schools. Some cut their lists like Wayne Lyons and the Buckeyes did not make the cut.
There has only been one new offer to make up for the changes in the status of so many players. The Buckeyes have offered super Texas linebacker Anthonny Wallace. Thats it? Yes. That is it. I think that is a telling stat. The only new offer in I don't know how long and it is to the only need position left in the class. I don't think the staff is the least bit worried about it. I think this is it. Yes, I am saying I am not going to be surprised if that is the last offer in this class. I can't tell you how much I have seen the focus turn toward next year. First, the staff wants recruiting over with. I think getting recruiting over with so they can coach football has been something this staff has tried to do for years. Such a smart thing to do. Get as much of the recruiting over with as early as possible so the coaching staff can focus on preparing this team and coaching up young players. I saw it ratchet up to this degree once before. It was the 2005 season that saw the Buckeyes play in the 2006 championship game against Florida. Many recall the recruiting debacle that followed that season There were still so many players on the board that recruiting floundered. This year, with another championship game appearance anticipated, the staff is getting it squared away so that anything that happens after the championship game with recruiting will be icing on the cake. The other reason is the monster class next year. They have to want to have room to take as many of those national kids as they can. If you rank players regardless of class next years defensive line class is going to be as good as we will ever see and on par with Florida and Texas. This years might be. Next years definitely will be. There are several other positions that we will want to have a scholarship or two in the hole for. I look at running back and we are going to see either a great safety class or a great linebacker class depending on where some of these kids bodies take them.
In the end, do not be surprised if this class ends up at right around twenty like we thought it would six months ago.
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