| 12 April 2011
It looks like the staff has settled on their guys for the class of 2012. At least for now. I don't know if we are going to see anymore offers between now and camp. I think that especially a sage move considering all that is hanging over the program right now. Keeping the coaching staff focused on a smaller number of recruits will give them more opportunity to reach out to those players and counter the negative recruiting that is about to be unleashed against Ohio State come May 1st.
What is going on off the field could have an impact on recruiting but there are always going to be loses. This is a year to have loses as the next guy in line is likely to be about as good as the kid who chose to go elsewhere. Making sure those next in line players are there is something I think is crucial to a recruiting effort. To lose a kid late then look up and find a player that you did not expect to be there just waiting on an offer is something that can have a big impact on a recruiting class.
I want to look at some players I really hope the Buckeyes are staying in touch with.
Tops on my list is Trae Clark, the big nose guard from Colerain. In fact, I would go ahead and offer him now. Young men this big who can still move are the rarest of the rare. To be able to hold the point, to be able to tie up multiple blockers, to be able to command double teams but still be able to close down the backside and pursue down the line effectively is something that few players can do. Look at the impact Jon Hankins had last year. There are less 3-4 teams at the pro level because of the lack of nose tackles. Take one when you can get him.
He is on the radar. We have talked about him alot. Benny McGowan is a non-offered player that I would contact like he was an offered player. If one of the national kids falls through I would hang up the phone from getting the bad news, call McGowan and know I am making an offer to a player who is almost as good.
Along the same lines, taking athletic bigs when you can, I would like to see the staff stay in touch with a new kid on the block, Arlington McClinton from Midview. He is 6-6 220 and great off the edge. Great length, great speed, great motor and he is going to get alot bigger.
If McClinton is not the biggest sleeper in this class right now then it is Thomas Worthington cornerback Nana Kyeremeh. He may be the fastest football player in the class. He is 5-11, good size for a corner but plays even bigger because of his reach. He is as physical a corner as you will see which fits in nicely the way the Buckeyes play defense.
Mike Roberts, Benedictine tight end, is another player I think I would just offer right now. He is what we are looking for. He is a great blocker and a very good receiver.
A.J. Williams is a high school tight end who projects to tackle. With his offer list I doubt the Buckeyes could back burner him until the staff knows what is going on with some other players but I would stay in touch just in case.
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