| 10 February 2010
The class of 2011 is looking like a stellar one in Ohio overall but so far the bigs that the Buckeyes need, OLs and DTs, are not here in the numbers that the Buckeyes need to re-stock the depth chart. Keep in mind that this is an offensive line that is only 13 deep to start with and 4 will be seniors, nearly a third of the scholarship depth in one year.
The first two players that come to mind in the state of Ohio are Donovan Clark from Cincinnati Finneytown and Michael Bennett from Centerville. Bennett has received his offer already from the Buckeyes. The question about both is about size. Neither are ideal sized offensive linemen but when I see bigs with the explosiveness and athleticism of Clark and Bennett, I give them a look on defense first anyway. I am happy to see the Buckeyes offered Bennett as a defensive tackle. You can always move down a DT to offense. I would like to see an offer to Clark. I see the same kind of player. Both are so explosive and disruptive. Clark has a similar early offer list with the exception of the Buckeye offer. He was an invitee to bowl practices and is definitely on the Buckeyes radar. He is in no hurry so time is not a problem.
Chris Rock is a name that came up early. He has a very impressive offer list, more impressive than either Clark or Bennett, but right now I fully agree with the decision by the staff to hold off. He looks great on the hoof and is a great looking athlete but has not yet been the player he should be based on the raw tools. He might be a better fit at strong side end anyway which changes how he will be recruited.
An out of state player that fans saw on film and got excited about is Kris Harley from Indianapolis. His parents are both Ohio State grads. We had a discussion about him a few weeks ago on the Bucknuts board with insiders on one side and fans on the other. He is 6-2 265. I have seen him listed at 6-0. Insiders had questions about his size. Fans saw a ver explosive player with a motor that will not stop. A very instinctive player. He can ball like nobodys business but what is going to happen when the weight comes on? He comes off the ball like he is shot out of a cannon but he cannot play inside at 265. What happens to that explosiveness when he is 285 or 290? A very recent offer from USC has fans worked up again. I wonder if the staff has seen Harley up close. I would not offer him unless I saw him in person. Get a look at his body and see if he can handle the weight before I would offer. I don't have a question about Clark and Bennett in that respect.
I have not seen a tackle in the state of Ohio yet that I see worthy of a Buckeye offer. The only player so far who has gotten my attention is Jamare Mills from Dublin Scioto, and he is a project. Unless someone comes out of the woodwork I expect to see the Buckeyes going out of state to add tackles. One to keep in mind is Christian Westerman from Arizona. He is going to be one of the top tackles in the country. He has shown interest in the Buckeyes. He would go a long way toward making up for not getting Henderson.
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