Recruiting Update

With National Signing Day just around the corner, it’s about time for another Buckeye recruiting installment.

Unfortunately, the outlook for the signal-calling position does not look too promising for next year (well, besides the fact that we have one absolutely PHENOMENAL athlete at quarterback). I mentioned before that we had about a 35% chance of landing top-5 quarterback prospect, Tajh Boyd. Well, as the odds would have predicted, the 65% chance of not signing the Virginia prospect prevailed, as Boyd committed to Clemson last week.

Soon after Boyd committed to the Tigers, the Buckeye coaching staff made an offer to Miami verbal commit Austin Boucher. The next day, Boucher informed the staff that he is a RedHawk and did not wish to reconsider his destination for next year. What boggles my mind is how the coaching staff waited so long in the process to look for a prospect at a position where we only have two scholarship players. Boyd’s name didn’t appear in Buckeye recruiting news until November. Before that, the coaches seemed content to go “quarterbackless” in this year’s recruiting class. Then Boyd fell in their laps when he expressed an interest in THE Ohio State University. Boyd then chose Clemson over the Buckeyes, and we offer Austin Boucher, the 160^th ranked quarterback in the nation. I am not trying to take anything away from Boucher, but he is clearly not an “Ohio State caliber” quarterback. If the staff felt they really needed a quarterback this badly, they shouldn’t have waited until this late in the process to offer a two star prospect at the position.

To continue with the Buckeye QB recruiting saga, the day after Boucher turned us down, the coaches offered a scholarship to Houston native Kenny Guiton. Never heard of him? Me neither. And neither had the coaches until this past week. Guiton accepted the same day he was extended the offer. So to sum up the situation, we missed out on the #4 ranked QB in the nation, got rejected by the #160 ranked QB in the country, and settled on a commitment from the #53 QB.

Although Guiton wasn’t high on the radar of most coaches, he played at a big-time high school program (Eisenhower HS) in Texas. At 6-3 and 175 pounds, he isn’t nearly the size of Pryor, but he does have the ability to scramble and make plays on the field. As it stands now, he isn’t likely to start a game as a Buckeye (we are favored by two top QB prospects, Devin Gardner-2010 and Braxton Miller-2011 for the next two recruiting classes) but he does provide an insurance policy and a scout team quarterback at arguably the most important position on the field.

In other recruiting news, Glenville standout Marcus Hall made his commitment official Monday afternoon. Hall is the fifth ranked offensive tackle in the nation but could find himself playing guard or tackle as a Buckeye. If he works hard and impresses the coaches, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the field quite a bit next year. Hall’s commitment will help to shore up the trenches for the next four seasons in Columbus.

Tennessee-native wideout Marlon Brown is set to make his commitment on Signing Day. With Hartline and Robiskie leaving, the number two ranked wide receiver prospect in the nation (Brown) could probably step right in and start as a freshman. If I had to make a prediction right now, I would guess he will be a Volunteer next year.

Look for my next post soon after National Signing Day. It will feature the outlook for our defensive line next season.

Until then, GO BUCKEYES!

-Chris