| 15 September 2011
There is a good deal of information coming out about the class of 2013. I do not think it is premature to look forward to that class. I think it very wise of the staff to get started on 2013. We are seeing the same names come up with the class of 2012. There might be a player who comes out of the blue but for the most part we have a good idea of who is going to fill out the class. 2013 is looking like another good one in Ohio but I like what I am seeing from some out of state players who are showing a great deal of interest in Ohio State.
I started out thinking I was going to pick just ten players that I would like to see the staff use every opportunity allowed by the NCAA to stay in contact with them. I will start with the Ohio players.
Jalin Marshall - Ath, 6-0, 190, Middletown
Coming off a camp season where his quarterback stock dropped but his athlete stock went through the roof, Marshall remains the top player in the class. He is a game changing athlete. I
will mention once again that he reminds me of DeSean Jackson, the Philadelphia Eagles receiver. I understand he prefers quarterback but I do not think he is going to let that influence his decision too much. I like the Buckeyes here.
Cameron Burrows - DB, 6-2, 180, Trotwood Madison
Another great looking athlete who blew up at camp. Big corners are highly sought after players when you consider the size of receivers these days. Even in Burrows grows into a safety he will still be a great get. He wants to play early. That has him looking at Michigan more than Buckeye fans want him to. Someone needs to tell Burrows that he is the kind of athlete that plays early no matter where he goes to school. The smart money is on the Buckeyes.
Billy Price - Lineman, 6-4, 265, Fitch
I have been unsure of where Billy Price plays, offense or defense. His early performances have made observers ask the age old question with bigs. How can you put a kid this athletic on offense? Another player where the smart money is on the Buckeyes.
Lovell Peterson - C, 6-3, 270, Wayne
I said it before and I will say it again. The best center prospect from Ohio since Nick Mangold. Alabama is a problem as Peterson is related to Trey DePriest but he is good friends with Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller and Wayne can be considered a pipeline school.
Jalyn Powell, Ath, 6-1, 190, Warren Harding
This player shot up my list when I focused on his defensive plays. I heard about him first as a receiver. He is probably a Big Five caliber player as a receiver but he is definitely a Big Five player as safety. He is a hard-nosed physical instinctive strong safety.
Out of state players dominate this list. I see several other Ohio players who would rate Buckeye offers but I like some of the out of state players even better. You will notice a pattern emerge. Ohio State has made a serious impression is several states, Indiana, Virginia and New Jersey.
Tashawn Bower - DE, 6-5, 230, Somerville, NJ.
Impressed everyone as he went up and down the east coast to camps and combines over the spring and summer, earning offers from Florida State and Tennessee as well as Ohio State. Bower is very high on the Buckeyes.
Jonathan Allen, DE, 6-3, 225, Ashburn, Virginia
A great looking strong side compliment to Tashawn Bower on the weak side. Allen is going to get alot bigger. The Buckeyes have not come in with an offer but are showing a great deal of interest. I think an offer is a mere formality. Allen is high on Ohio State.
Derrick Green, RB, 6-0, 220, Virginia
Green has been a big Buckeye fan for some time. He camped at Ohio State and the staff became big Derrick Green fans coming in with an offer. Green is my kind of back. He is a between the tackles power back but one with a legit sub 4.4 forty. It his hard to believe he will not end up in Columbus.
Tim Kimbrough, LB, 6-1, 215, Indianapolis Warren Central, IN
I am not yet sure about the 2013 linebackers in Ohio. There are a few promising players I am keeping an eye on but I doubt any will be in the same class as Kimbrough, likely a top ten national linebacker. The buzz is an offer from the Buckeyes will make Ohio State hard to beat.
Jaylon Smith, LB, 6-3, 210, Ft. Wayne Bishop Luers, IN
The brother of current Buckeye running back Rod Smith is a big Buckeye fan. Notre Dame is trying to get in the mix for this super player but it would be the biggest recruiting upset of the class to see Smith go anywhere but Ohio State. I list him as a linebacker right now but I see Smith as a future Edge player.
Eli Woodard, CB, 5-10, 180, Voorhees Eastern, NJ
Longtime Buckeye fan and likely top ten national corner, Woodard camped at Ohio State and was offered.
Jason Hatcher, DE, 6-2, 240, Louisville Trinity, Ky
He does not have the measurables of the other ends on this list but Hatcher might be the best football player of the lot. He is explosive off the edge and has a motor that won't quit.
Wide receiver is not a name but I am going to slide it in there as a marker for a number of players at the position. After Jalin Marshall there are a number of great prospects at the position that the Buckeye staff should get involved with as soon as possible. With the haul that is likely coming in with the class of 2012 there may be no more than one more receiver slot available after Marshall. I am not ready to rank these players. I want to see more film but I will list them:
Robert Foster WR, 6-2, 175, Monaca Central Valley, Pa
This is the one receiver prospect I will put at the top of the list. Foster could be a player you don't say no to.
Shelton Gibson, WR, 6-1, 180, Cleveland Heights
Great speed and great hands. Tough runner after the catch. The best receiver you have never heard about.
Kevin Gladney, WR, 6-4, 180, Akron Firestone
I hear he might have changed schools. Stock took a hit when he did not camp anywhere this summer but he has time to make up for that.
DeNiro Laster, WR, 6-3, 200, Shaker Heights
Buckeye commit Roger Lewis was the only receiver who took advantage of the camp and combine circuit as well as Laster did. He was a JV player as much as he was a varsity player last year but earned offers off his camp performances.
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