| 30 June 2011
The smartest move Luke Fickell has made as head coach is to get out early with the 2013 offers. First, this is still Ohio State. It is the same school that has been a college football powerhouse for as long as they can remember. These younger kids are still going to be bouncing off the walls over a Buckeye offer. What makes it so much more a big deal is getting in early. Ohio State is the first major program to offer these kids. The first offers are always remembered. The 2013 kids are not nearly so concerned about the coaching situation or the possible sanctions. The coaching situation will have long ironed itself out before they are ready to think about committing. Unless the sanctions are more severe than anyone has predicted, the 2013 players will not be impacted by them.
Jaylon Smith, DE, 6-3, 210, Indiana. Smith was offered before camp. When I look at Smith I see a bigger version of Ifeadi Odenigo. He is the younger brother of current Buckeye Rod
Smith. He says he loves Ohio State. He said that before he was offered. He is a heavy Buckeye lean.
Jalin Marshall, 6-0, 190 WR, Middletown. The long awaited offer finally happened. Marshall lit up the camp. I spoke to someone who watched him in drills. His quickness and agility left this long time talent evaluator shaking his head. No sooner than Ohio State offered Notre Dame came in with an offer. He really wants to play quarterback but the buzz is he might want to be a Buckeye even more.
Eli Woodard, 5-10, 170, CB, NJ. Should be one of the nations elite corner prospects. He is known to be a long time Buckeye fan. The state has some fine corner prospects but outside of superstar Cam Burrows, Woodard is the one you want most to see wearing scarlet and gray. I am told there are pictures out there of his family wearing Buckeye gear.
Derrick Green, 6-0, 218, RB, Virginia. Came in ripped. Went at the camp like it was a tryout and earned an offer. Green is from the same school that gave the Buckeyes Curtis Grant. Green has said for some time that Ohio State is his dream school. Ran a 4.4 forty at 218 pounds but Green is at his best between the tackles. Outstanding burst to go with exceptional balance.
Caleb Day, 6-0, 175, S, Hilliard. One of the surprise offers. I first heard about Day as an offensive player. He impressed me more as a defensive player. He is long and gets his hands on the football a good deal. He is a very willing hitter. I think he might get a look at corner but I see a safety in him.
Jonathon Allen - 6-3, 230 DE, Virginia. I am not sure if he camped here but this elite 2013 defensive end has a strong interest in Ohio State. His Dad is an Ohioan.He has offers from Virginia, Boston College and a few others. He has a very impressive sophmore film.
Tashawn Bower, 6-5, 230, NJ. He was not offered yet but what a physical specimen Bower is. He already has offers from Florida State and Syracuse amongst others.
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