| 11 August 2011
The Buckeyes just received commitment number 12, actually number 13 because Cardale Jones will be a part of this class. Pickerington Central wide receiver Roger Lewis (http://scoutingohio.com/index.php/view-profile.html?task=userProfile&user=6046) made his pledge to the Buckeyes. He was offered last week and made his verbal days later.
Another receiver has been offered. California prep star Michael Thomas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Y9PbOKiho )was offered about a month ago. He made an unofficial visit last weekend. He went in leaning strongly to the Buckeyes. I have heard that he committed but nobody seems to be able to find him to get a confirmation.
The big question that will come out of a confirmation is whether the Buckeyes are through offering receivers. I think that is one of the most complicated questions we will see this recruiting season.
The numbers at receiver are fine. Even with the decision of James Louis to transfer, the
Buckeyes have depth. Well, the Buckeyes have numbers.
Through the first few practice days, reports say the case of dropsitis that plagued the receiving corps this spring remains a problem. The receiving corps is young with only one senior in Devier Posey and no juniors, unless you want to include Jordan Hall as a receiver. He spent most of his time at receiver during the first practice of the year but more at running back in the second.
My problem with that is it means these young receivers had plenty of opportunity to get reps. The one young receiver who stepped in to take those reps was a high school quarterback, turned safety last year, who is now a receiver, Verlon Reed. That is why I had little to say about the transfer of Louis. At Ohio State it usually takes an extraordinary talent to push his way into the two-deep as a freshman. Since spring we have seen reps scattered all over the WHAC and it took a new guy to pick them up.
Does the problem with players dropping the ball play into the decision to offer more receivers?
I think Monty Madaris is off the board now. If Lewis is the only verbal there is a chance he is still on the board. If Michael Thomas did indeed verbal I think that ends the Buckeyes interest in Madaris.
Dwayne Stanford is supposedly joined at the hip with superstar defensive lineman Adolphus Washington. They say they want to play their college ball together. Reports are all over the place about what Washington is going to do. Some believe he is a done deal to the SEC. His family roots are in Alabama. He has an offer from Alabama. So does Stanford.
Another thing to throw into this mix is the monster class of receivers in 2013. I see four receivers who rate Big Five offers already, with Middletown superstar Jalin Marshall already holding a pair of Big Five offers. There are likely two or three others who will join that list.
I say stay with the Stanford offer. Despite how well Lewis played at camp, and his film is impressive, and that Michael Thomas looks like the real deal, Stanford remains the best receiver the Buckeyes have a legitimate shot at, and it improves the chances of the Buckeyes landing Washington. For me it is a no-brainer. However, I can understand telling Stanford we are full and take our chances trying to land Washington without an offer to him. Waiting until 2013 spaces the classes better and the 2013 class is just so special. There is some sound thinking in ending the pursuit of receivers in this class with a verbal from Thomas.
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