| 14 May 2010
Bill Kuelic is of a mind that the Buckeyes only take one quarterback in this class. I can't wrap my mind around the idea that we are going to pass on an opportunity to upgrade the quarterback position, but there are currently five scholarship quarterbacks on the roster right now. I am including Verlon Reed until he is officially moved. Taking Jones too means there are technically seven quarterbacks in the roster so what Bill is saying is very logical. Another thing to consider. Look at it from Jones point of view. Fans are saying to redshirt him. Why would he want to do that? Just to be the starter for one year? That is the problem Jones has to deal with. He does have the better upside but he is not as ready to play as Miller, so he is going to have to wait until Miller gives him the opportunity to play. As good as Miller is, that might not happen for at least three years. I don't know if Jones will take any more coaching than Miller. I think we find out this year. I installed Jones as my #1 because I see a player who is getting better with every throw, but his standing atop my 2011 rankins is a very shaky one for that reason. My rating is about what he is going to be. He must continue to develop at a good clip to stay atop my list, as well as continue to land big time offers. As soon as he levels off so will the interest and he will fall down recruiting rankings. It is very simple with Jones. He continues to develop and becomes a player the Buckeyes cannot pass on or he levels off and they have every reason to put all the Buckeye eggs in one basket with the much more advanced Miller.
Mark Porter sent me a film that had me shaking my head earlier today. Take a look at David Moran from Loveland Hurst:
http://scoutingohio.com/index.php/view-profile.html?task=userProfile&user=5136&srid=4958
He is not up there with Hayes and Miller but he is a kid that may have gotten a look just a few years ago. Ben Martin was considered one of the biggest instate loses ever when he chose Tennessee over Ohio State and Notre Dame. That was because we just didn't see these big athletic kids in the state of Ohio. I am looking at the defensive line class in 2011 and possibly an even better class in 2012. The importance of outstanding defensive linemen cannot be understimated. If you asked me to point out the most important thing I have seen in the last five years it would be that Ohio is producing home grown defensive line difference makers.
Shane Wynn was officially and independently measured at 5-6. Something that needs to be mentioned here is Wynn does not have great hands. That is something that does not get mentioned enough. Not bad hands but not great hands either. He is not like Trindon Holliday in the fact that you have to hand him the ball because he is not going to catch it if thrown to him, but he is not the most sure handed kid. Fans talk about him as a punt returner. Highly skilled, no doubt. As good as I have seen once he gets the ball in his hands. First thing I want a punt returner to do is make the catch. That is why I agree with JT completely when he puts guys like Mike Jenkins and Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie back there. Making a big play is extra. Secure the change of possession. I want a guy who is going to secure possession first and second, get us the best field position possible. That means making good decisions about fielding balls.A coach friend said he wants a catch and get him one first down on the return. One first down that the offense doesn't have to get. That is a successful return. Even before the catch is the decision about making the catch. I saw Wynn make poor decisions about fielding balls too often. Remember Bam Childress? That is what I see with Wynn. A small player with small hands who has a hard time catching the football. He supposedly favors Miami. I hope he stays with that favorite through signing day.
I love the chatter coming out of the WHAC. Something that has hurt the last couple of years is a lack of unity. Two years ago many of the underclassmen did not like the seniors at all. Seniors, captains or not, set the tone for the lockerroom. That tone was a bad one two years ago. Last year there were so few seniors that the team lacked leadership. This years team is showing that senior leadership in Cam Heyward and Brian Rolle, both players who came in showing the kind of character that it does not surprise you that their names would be showing up as leaders of this team.
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