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StumbleuponPryor's visit may have impacted other recruits
The heralded QB's appearance at OSU in April created a buzz among recruits who were visiting.
Related:
> Football to get an early signing day of its own?
> High school athletes picking up the pace on commitments
> Pryor's visit may have impacted other OSU recruits
> What do you think of OSU's 2009 recruit class?
Sunday, June 22, 2008
COLUMBUS — Ohio State has had no shortage of recruiting enticements down through the years, but its biggest drawing card these days may be its newest addition to the program.
Ballyhooed quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who is enrolled for summer classes at OSU, visited the campus while the Buckeyes were hosting dozens of recruits during their spring game in April, and his appearance created a buzz among the program's other guests.
"I know people who were at the spring game (with recruits), and when Pryor made an entrance, you just felt it," said Duane Long, recruiting analyst for Bucknuts.com. "You knew something had happened. All these recruits were just whispering, 'There he is.' And with him being such a personable kid ... he just has an aura about him. And it definitely had an impact on these recruits."
The Buckeyes have gotten commitments from 18 prospects so far in the 2009 class (seniors-to-be), and seven of them are ranked in the top-100 players nationally by Rivals.com. No other school has more than five.
The recruiting victories of late have been all the more sweet because they've come at the expense of rival Michigan. Tressel has gone head-to-head with new Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez for seven recruits and has landed six: linebacker Dorian Bell and running back Jordan Hall from Pennsylvania; defensive end Melvin Fellows, offensive lineman Corey Linsley and defensive lineman Adam Bellamy from Ohio; and receiver James Jackson from Michigan.
Massillon defensive back Justin Turner kept Rodriguez from being shut out.
"Facilities, coach, success, tradition, the NFL — you put that all together, and these kids are seeing Ohio State as a 10 in every category," Long said.
The coup de grace was Jackson, the No. 1 receiver and No. 3 overall player in Michigan who could have gone practically anywhere. The Buckeyes have lifted some gems from their northern neighbor in Craig Krenzel and Vernon Gholston, but both of them were unheralded players who exceeded projections. Jackson is considered a can't-miss prospect.
And while Pryor may be a magnet, Tressel knows how to pour on the charm.
"I've stopped counting the number of stories I've heard from parents who say, 'Jim Tressel sat in my living room for two hours and never once talked about football,' " Long said. "That resonates big time with parents. And also with kids. It says he cares about me in general and not just as a football player."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Recruiting classes
Recent Buckeyes' recruiting classes, including national rank and key signees:
2008 No. 3, Terrelle Pryor, Etienne Sabino
2007 No. 16, Eugene Clifford, Brandon Saine
2006 No. 7, Chris Wells, Ross Homan
2005 No. 9, Alex Boone, Doug Worthington
2004 No. 8, Ted Ginn Jr., Marcus Freeman
Other recent top-5 classes:
2002 No. 3, Mike D'Andrea, Maurice Clarett
1999 No. 2, Mike Doss, Craig Krenzel
1996 No. 2, David Boston, Andy Katzenmoyer
Source: SuperPrep Magazine
Ohio State recruitsVerbal commitments
A look at the Buckeyes' 2009 class (seniors-to-be), including position, height, weight and hometown.
C.J. Barnett, CB, 6-1, 181, Clayton. No. 3 cornerback in nation, according to Rivals.com.
Dorian Bell, LB, 6-1, 215, Monroeville, Pa. No. 1 outside linebacker nationally, according to Rivals.
Adam Bellamy, DL, 6-4, 275, Aurora. Had offers from Big Ten schools, including Michigan.
Zach Boren, FB-LB, 6-1, 245, Pickerington. Will join brother Justin, a Michigan transfer, in Columbus.
Duron Carter, WR, 6-3, 180, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Son of ex-OSU great Cris Carter is 73rd-ranked receiver.
Dominic Clarke, CB, 5-11, 180, Frederick, Md. Had offers from Stanford, Maryland and Boston College.
Melvin Fellows, DE, 6-5, 245, Garfield Heights. No. 3 strongside defensive end in nation, according to Rivals.
Chris Fields, WR, 6-0, 181, Painesville. No. 7 wide receiver nationally, according to Rivals.
Reid Fragel, TE, 6-8, 258, Grosse Point, Mich. Rated No. 3 tight end in Midwest.
Jordan Hall, RB, 5-9, 180, Jeannette, Pa. Fifth-rated all-purpose back in nation, according to Rivals.
Adam Homan, FB-LB, 6-2, 230, Coldwater. Fourth-rated fullback in nation, according to Scout.com
James Jackson, WR, 5-11, 175, Grand Ledge, Mich. No. 1 receiver, No. 3 player overall in Michigan.
Storm Klein, LB, 6-2, 220, Newark. Seventh-rated strongside linebacker, according to Scout.
Corey Linsley, OL, 6-4, 285, Youngstown. Scout.com's No. 5 offensive guard.
Jack Mewhort, OL, 6-6, 292, Toledo. No. 14 offensive tackle in nation, as rated by Scout.
John Simon, DT, 6-3, 274, Youngstown. Scout.com's sixth-rated defensive tackle.
Jordan Whiting, LB, 6-0, 230, Louisville. Scout.com's No. 10 middle linebacker
Jamie Wood, DB, 6-2, 190, Pickerington. Fifth-best safety in nation, according to Scout.
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Comments
By Turducken
June 29, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
OSU fans crack me up. Brag about dominating the Big Ten, but always get destroyed in bowl games when it matters.
If Ohio State was a beer it would be called, “Michigan Ice” or “Penn State Light.”
By retard alert
June 26, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
osugrad83, you are retarded. michigan is in ann arbor, not detroit. if i were you, i wouldn’t put my name as osugrad because you are just making your school look worse.
By Kleindog
June 26, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
It cracks me up how the entire SEC compares themselves to Ohio State. I would think a whole conference against 1 team isn’t exactly fair, but then again it takes a whole conference to get bragging rights against a team that is a national contender every year!
By osugrad83
June 25, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Dave,
“Trailer park?” Detroit is losing more people every day than any other city in America. You can’t pay people enough to stay there. That’s why I always see those stupid commercials where Tim Allen is begging people to come back. Columbus happens to be growing rapidly, even now as the nation’s economy is weak. You can’t blame J. Jackson for leaving that place and coming to OSU. The only thing michigan leads in would be consecutive a#$ whoopins’ from OSU, murder rates + unemployment
By Wings
June 24, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
OSU fans have very short memories. I remember watching Michigan kick your A@#es for several years before Tressel got there. Now all of a sudden your chests are puffed up like you’ve actually proven anything. You look at these recruits like you guys have already won the NC. You better remember where you came from because you could end up in the toilet in the not so distant future. You better hope OSU beats USC because if you don’t, you’ll look like the biggest idots out here. GET A LIFE!
By Chris
June 24, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
What happend in AZ when the bucks lost to flordia? That wasnt in sec country. I’m a mountaineer fan and we had no problem beating Georgia in 2005 in atlanta to win the Sugar Bowl. Quit making up excuses and start winning your bowl games. When we loose we loose not because someone cheated we lost. I hate the Big 10(11) other than OSU (who is going to get killed by USC) there is no one ealse with talent.
By Chris
June 24, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
What happend in AZ when the bucks lost to flordia? That wasnt in sec country. I’m a mountaineer fan and we had no problem beating Georgia in 2005 in atlanta to win the Sugar Bowl. Quit making up excuses and start winning your bowl games. When we loose we loose not because someone cheated we lost. I hate the Big 10(11) other than OSU (who is going to get killed by USC) there is no one ealse with talent.
By Chris
June 24, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
What happend in AZ when the bucks lost to flordia? That wasnt in sec country. I’m a mountaineer fan and we had no problem beating Georgia in 2005 in atlanta to win the Sugar Bowl. Quit making up excuses and start winning yor bowl games. When we loose we loose not because someone cheated we lost. I hate the Big 10(11) other than OSU (who is going to get killed by USC) there is no one ealse with talent.
By 4vrloyal4vrroyalbuckeyes
June 23, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
DAVE
your just an idiot for leaving such a stupid comment
once again
MICHIGAN WILL BE OUR BICHIGAN !!!!!!!lol you fool
By Dave
June 23, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
It’s amzing that every article out of Trailer Park, Ohio must include Michigan. Maybe because Michigan are leaders and OSU is always trying to achieve Michigan greatness!!
GO BLUE - Speed kills!
By The Nutt Bucker
June 23, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
The Bucks and the Wolves are the best in the west. It goes to proof that we are the best in the west because we are. You SEC’ers better be scared because we are the best. We get the best recruits becasue we are the best in the west. You always win because you cheat, we know that from years of experiences, but we will win becasue we don’t cheat and because we are the best.
By John
June 23, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Hi Ed. Rough season ahead up there in Michigan, eh? Hahahaha
By ed
June 23, 2008 5:10 AM | Link to this
this article is full of crap… UM was not in the running for the WR Jackson from Michigan… MSU was…so go ahead spin it some more on how incredible your recruiting class is.
By ed
June 23, 2008 5:10 AM | Link to this
this article is full of crap… UM was not in the running for the WR Jackson from Michigan… MSU was…so go ahead spin it some more on how incredible your recruiting class is.
By 4vrloyal4vrroyalbuckeyes
June 22, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
live in orlando now…all i hear is these hillbilly sec fans talking their trash.. keep talking ..ohio state will be in its 3rd straight natl title game … buckeye fans dont delay buy your tickets now. once again the sec will have home field adv….. this year will produce a different result. you all will see begining on sept 13th when the buckeyes go into l.a and hand the trojans a loss they will never forget… watch all you haters.. its going to happen…. foreva loyal foreva royal O-H-I-O
By E. Bruce
June 22, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
You chumps are talking tough, but it is only because the Small Ten sux so bad that you even made it to the NC game twice. WI only other decent team in the league.
OSU=Buffalo Bills
By J. Cooper
June 22, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
Hey Earle…that was one of my Captains that was having sex with that girl while he was a teacher at Northmont. Tressel runs a pretty tight ship up there.
By E. Bruce
June 22, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Can’t beat the SEC with Pryor or anyone else. Nice to see all of the current and former OSU players getting arrested these days. You must be proud.
By SMyers
June 22, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
When a single team from the SEC goes to three NC games in a six year timeframe - then they can trash talk. No single team can match what the Buckeyes have done this decade except SoCal. The “SEC” isn’t a team. Its a group of teams that enjoy great talent, good weather year round, and virtual home field advantage for any bowl they play in. Take any SEC team and put them in the Rose Bowl against SoCal, and they’ll get their butt kicked. What will the “SEC” say when we beat SoCal this year?
By "The Buck Nut"
June 22, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Need I have to say…..”GO BUCKS”. I think it is great to see Chris’s son fall in the footsteps of his father. Chris was one tuff dude in college and in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how his son does at OSU! Go CARTER! Go BUCKS! We will get the National Title Soon!!
By "The Buck Nut"
June 22, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Need I have to say…..”GO BUCKS”. I think it is great to see Chris’s son fall in the footsteps of his father. Chris was one tuff dude in college and in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how his son does at OSU! Go CARTER! Go BUCKS! We will get the National Title Soon!!
By Buckeyes1
June 22, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
I live in the South as well. People here get off on bashing the Buckeyes for being one of the best teams in the nation consistently every year.That’s what makes them happy. They don’t root for their own team they have a whole conference they hide behind. Their conference commissioners wanted a conference tournament and all the money that comes with it, and they got it. Gutless.Nothing would make me happier than THE Ohio State University kicking an SEC’s a*s in the National Championship game.
By VietVet
June 22, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Great recruiting class this year.Need to get the backup quarterback ready if TB goes down.Looks like we’re pulling some better talent from that landfill we affectionately call Michigan.Hope Tressel takes’em all the way and plays either Fla. or LSU in the NC. We need to return the favor.Will Michigan play App. State again this year or did they drop them due to the intense competition?Will miss the Lloydster getting frustrated on the sidelines.SEC-Fla/Georgia/LSU-that’s it-the rest-bottom feeders.
By Jim
June 22, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
SEC1
The Big Ten has won 11 of the last 19 bowl games against the SEC and they are home games for your conference. Come out of the south and play someone. I live in Nashville and the SEC non-conference schedule is a joke. When they do play someone on the road they get thrashed like UT did last year.
By go bucks
June 22, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
sec1 you are a dumba**. we will see come januray when the bucks beat the crap out of you SEC teams.
By goblue
June 22, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
He should have picked Michigan… We know how to spell up here.
“conference”
GO BLUE!!!
By Joel
June 22, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
What SEC fails to mention is that head to head by conferance things are pretty even up. God forgive me for this. but UM did beat UF last year as I recall. It just gets magnified because of the National Title. Oh, and at least OSU is putting themselves in position to get to NC by taking care of business. SEC is a flavor of the month now and when ESPN turn on them it will someone else. GO BUCKS and Cya in Miami baby!!
By Joel
June 22, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
What SEC fails to mention is that head to head by conferance things are pretty even up. God forgive me for this. but UM did beat UF last year as I recall. It just gets magnified because of the National Title. Oh, and at least OSU is putting themselves in position to get to NC by taking care of business. SEC is a flavor of the month now and when ESPN turn on them it will someone else. GO BUCKS and Cya in Miami baby!!
By Steve
June 22, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
SEC fans are a trip. They chant SEC after Bowl wins. Have you ever seen a conference that rats each other out for recruiting violations.
By phil
June 22, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Hey SEC1. Your screen name says it all. SEC. As in the whole conference? Who is your team or is it just the entire SEC? You can say OSU fans are biased, crazy and even ignorant and I would agree with you. But at least we have the nuggets to man up and support our team not an entire conference. I suppose you follow Vandy and Ole Miss pretty closely, too.
By Tom
June 22, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Be Happy- We get “worked up over it” because we are passionate fans. The Bucks represent Ohio, it makes us proud when they do well. I live out of state now, but whenever I spot another Buckeye fan I always say hello. There is a common bond.
By Dave
June 21, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
I can’t speak for the other players but I know for sure that the 2 coming from Pa., Bell and Hall are well worth the effort in getting them. And there’s a extra bonus in getting Jordan Hall. You see he and Terrelle Pryor are 2 peas in a pod, they’re like peanut butter & jelly, salt & pepper, Oreo’s and a tall glass of milk! Get my point? These 2 were phenominal together in high school!! I agree, Scoop them up while you can! Trust me, others will be after them also!
By Happy
June 21, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
I am always amazed how seriously people take college and professional sports. They are fun to watch, but unless you are directly involved why would you get so worked up about it. Be happy for these kids. They have scholarships, getting a great education, and playing their favorite sport. It can’t get much better than that. Go Bucks!
By SEC1
June 21, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
it doesn’t matter how many “blue chioppers” OSU signs, the end result is a Big Ten championship and an azz-kickin by a SEC team at the end of the season. Do yourselves a favor; lose early and often enough so you can end up in San Antonio at the Valero Alamo Bowl in late December. I promise you’ll feel better about life after you win a squeeker versus Oklahoma State instead of embarrassing yourselves in Miami against LSU, Florida, Georgia, or Alabama…
By g-unit
June 21, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Fedup is an idiot!!!! Write more stories about Carter and all of the other excellent players that are coming to THE Ohio State University!!!
By Mike in Troy
June 21, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing OSU has 18 commits so soon for 2009!
By fedup
June 21, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
who cares about this story I know I could care less where carters son goes to college. Middletown journal sure is sucking bad these days why don’t they shut it down and save paper.
By Kevin Page
June 21, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
I think its great, were going after the players we want and scooping them up quick. We don’t have the big name guy like last years class had Pryor but were seeing needs, and fillling those needs with quality players. Overall its been a great recruiting class.