| 18 January 2011
Going into this recruiting season I was firmly in the camp that the need for linebackers was a priority. One of the big fall camp stories was about the Sweat - Sabino battle, the loser redshirts, over one of the linebacker spots. Once the season got started the story fizzled. The reason it fizzled was there were so few reps for that third linebacker slot. Sweat was coming off an injury. He had plenty of extra time to recovery because he spent so much time on the sideline even though he won the battle because the base defense was basically a nickle package. The Buckeyes spent most of the year with the Star on the field rather than a third linebacker. By midseason I was convinced the need for linebackers was not a priority. Once Conner Crowell committed I thought it was over. Going in the buzz was the staff had targeted two linebackers for this class. More evidence was the fact that there were so few offers out there and once James vaughters, Trey DePriest, Anthony Wallace and Kent Turene committed elsewhere it reinforced that the target number was two.
Now there are three committed and the Buckeyes are hosting James Vaughters. The consensus is the Buckeyes currently lead for superstar Curtis Grant from Virginia. Five linebackers? Maybe. The question is why.
I don't think it is about linebackers. First, I have to remind everyone that on Jim Tressels board there are quarterbacks, speed, big and big speed. The other thing to look at is these are elite linebackers. Ryan Shazier is a national top 100 player on just about any list you want to look at. On most Curtis Grant is ranked even higher. I have yet to see a national list that does not have him as one of the nations top five linebackers. James Vaughters offer list speaks for itself. The odd man out is recent verbal Ejuan Price. He is higher on my board than Vaughters. Take a look at his film from ScoutingPennsylvania.com http://scoutingpa.com/index.php/view-profile.html?task=userProfile&user=25&srid=12&name=ejuanprice
Notice the closing speed. The explosiveness is another thing that leaps out at you. He is an athletic kid especially considering that is not the type of body that you think of when you think about athlete. The play that stands out to me is the pass defense play late in the play. Notice how he jumps that receiver who passes into his zone and makes a play on the ball. This kid is a playmaker. From the film you would think outside linebacker since he makes so many plays out there on the edge. I believe he could play out there but I think he fits perfectly in the middle for the Buckeyes. He is Brian Rolle with the size to stand up to Wisconsin. He was told Ohio State would wait on his until signing day. I am not surprised by that. He is the most underrated player in the class.
The point I am making is this is not about the need for linebackers. I still don't believe we need to add linebackers. These are kids you don't say no to. It is an overall talent upgrade that you don't even think twice about.
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