Agreed we need elite corners and/or a system that doesn’t put them on an island with absolutely no safety help with an 11 point lead and less than ten minutes to go in the game.
Landing some top notch cornerbacks should be a top priority. The secondary practically won the SCUM game in 2016 for the Buckeyes. After those guys went to the NFL, the recruiting of secondary talent became lackluster. We are seeing wide receivers left wide open on a regular basis( they even left a Toledo receiver wide open), too many pass interference penalties, and missed tackles.
The story mentions Jim Knowles recruiting a linebacker. So far, we cannot include him as a stellar recruiter. It seems that the Buckeyes have only two great recruiters on staff: Hartline and Day.
Kerry was the great recruiter before Hartline. Unfortunately, when he left, recruiting in the secondary went out the door, it got better instantly when he returned, but hit the crapper again since he left again. It would be nice if Ryan and Knowles can talk him into coming back.
Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes
Secondary recruiting needs to rival our wr recruiting quickly. For 2 years our Dbs have been less than acceptable- definitely not BIA standards of the past.
He's also an anomaly (also he's a local kid from Pickerington who decided to stay close to home so it wasn't a hard decision for him to commit here). CB recruiting has been in the shitter since Okudah left and we've had our share of problems at safety in recent years as well (Styles is the best safety recruit we've had in years).
CB’s should be fighting to come to OSU, they should see we have a problem here and want to be the difference maker and not go to an already loaded team. We have to get these talented CB’s out there to help our secondary who’s very suspect. Our defensive front and LB’s are solid but need to keep getting better. They better have a good contingency plan on losing Larry Johnson eventually. That will be a tough loss as he is the best DL coach in college Football.
I love LJ but the retirement rumors surrounding him every year are affecting his ability to recruit. Eventually we're going to have to prepare for his departure. Missing out on THREE top 5-star D-line targets in this past class showcases how much our recruiting has fallen off there in recent years.
As for as CBs go the problem right now there is our NIL collectives aren't doing their jobs for us on the recruiting trail and that's what players are primarily looking for now, that first bag. And until Ohio State steps up their game with NIL that's going to continue to be an issue.
I have literally never read or heard anyone say anything about LJ retiring except on buckeye fan sites. I’m sure other schools try to use it against him in recruiting but they are getting the ammunition from buckeye fans. Maybe stop talking about it and see what happens?
LJ is 70+ years old (only two years younger than Greg Mattison who retired two years ago). His impending retirement is a given and the longer he's here the more other programs are going to use that to negatively recruit against us. It has nothing to do with what the fans are saying (coaches rarely pay attention to that). LJ has been coaching nonstop since 1974. Even if he hasn't publically talked about it I guarantee retirement is something he's seriously considering (and the longer it drags out the more it's going to negatively affect our recruiting).
You’re not wrong but answer honestly, if JTT has a bosa type year would LJ still be too old? Just trying to figure out if it’s his age or the results. People say age but it’s like everything else. What have you done lately.
The D-line play has not been as good in recent years under LJ as it has been in the past (despite guys like JTT and Sawyer being talented enough to be superstars). We haven't had a truly dominating presence up front since Chase Young. LJ's age has absolutely caught up with him in terms of his coaching ability. I love him but it's time for him to move on. He's not recruiting as well as he used to (partially because of NIL but also because recruits know he's likely to be retiring soon) and the development up front has been lacking under him since 2019 (Zach Harrison for example never developed into what we thought he'd be even though he was a well above average player this season).
Devils advocate though, are the d-line results more influenced by lack of talent/development by LJ, or the lack of talent in the 2nd/3rd level and changes to scheme over the last few years?
I would argue that it's the latter. OSU has the talent up front (3 5*s) and I can't imagine that LJ forgot how to coach. What has changed over the past few years is talent in the secondary (WRs more open and/or QBs able to get the ball out before the pass rush can get home) and scheme (0 coverage, making the d-line space eaters so that the LBs and Safeties fill gaps and make the plays). Remember, Chase and the Bosa's had BIA level d-backs behind them forcing the QB to hold on to the ball just a beat longer - we haven't seen that over the past 3 seasons.
I think that you need to lump those D-End misses into the NIL bucket too - didn't some national recruiting analyst say that LJ would have had at least 1 of them locked up long ago if NIL wasn't a thing?
I agree that OSU needs to have some sort of plan in place for LJs inevitable retirement, but I think that NIL is a bigger factor than LJ's age at this point.
OSU will be recruiting with one hand tied behind its back as the southern schools will be offering the NIL $$$. Gene Smith wants the big money boosters to donate to the school directly to fund his bloated athletic department instead of NIL collectives. I hope Warren leaves for the Bears and Gene becomes B1G commissioner because OSU needs a new AD that is pro NIL.
It's really pretty simple, if we don't spend the money we will keep missing on the 5 star players. Sure we have more than the teams in the conference, but look at Bama and Georgia and maybe even USC ( with new coach LR ) and how often we loose the battle with Bama and Georgia.
Pretty simple; either get NIL up & running in an organized way or say goodbye to high 4 & 5 star players & to a top 5 football program. I don’t like the NIL with no rules or guidelines either but the top programs in the country don’t care. Especially down South where a large percentage of the better players reside.
We have to get on the ball with NIL and quick. I like a clean program, but if the NCAA is not going to enforce the rules whatsoever, do it. When NIL has structure and a framework with rules, then comply and follow them. I equate current NIL enforcement to going 57 in a 55 mph zone. Its speeding, but you know darn well it's not enforced.
We also need premiere recruiters for secondary and offensive line. Frye may be that guy, but I would reach out to Coombs again. Its clear that position coach is his highest level. He looked lost as the interim HC in their bowl game. Throw him $750,000 and an olive branch to come back. Added bonus, intensity!
Coombs is not coming back here. It would be too awkward a situation for him after how 2021 went (though I supported retaining him as CBs Coach if whoever the new DC was onboard with it) and Satterfield is keeping him on staff at UC. Cincinnati is his hometown so I doubt he'd come back here for any reason now.
Coombs was a fine recruiter but that talent made him look good not the other way around. They didn't want him in the NFL either we did them a favor so they didn't have to fire him. You cats fell for that rah rah crap too some of you.
I did my own class calculator lastnight out of boredom this is what i ended with.
Offense.
1. Jadyn Davis QB 5*
2. Jeremiah Smith WR 5*
3. Mylan Graham WE 4*
4. Jordan Seaton IOL 4*
5. Guerby Lambert OT 4*
6. Ian Moore IOL 4*
7. Christian Betancur TE 4*
8. Jordan Marshal RB 4*
9. Boo Carter RB 4*
10. Michael Smith TE 4*
11. Demarion Witten TE 3*
Defense
1. KJ Bolden S 5*
2. Justin Scott DT 5*
3. Charles Lester CB 5*
4. Bryce West CB 5*
5. Nigel Smith DE 4*
6. Aaron Chiles LB 4*
7. Kinnston Villiamuasa 4* LB
8. Braydon Lee 4* CB
9. Elias Rudolph 4* DE
10. Aaron Scott 4* CB
11. Garret Stover 4* S
12. Kylan Fox 4* S
For a total of 23 recruits.
It might be stretch but it is a possibility. And new life into defensive recruiting that Ohio State NEEDS
Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it-John 1:5 SEC meet Ohio State, Ohio State meet SEC
I think that is because all the evaluations are not yet in on the linemen. Linemen are harder to evaluate, you need to see them in the summer camps, in person evaluations, and see how their season goes. Much easier to evaluate the skill players this early.
I don't mean to sound totally dumb but I don't have time to follow all the NIL stuff but I keep hearing complaints about it...what exactly are we not doing as a school vs these other schools with regards to NIL? Also how does Gene Smith fit into all of this? Any clarity would be helpful so I can join in the complaining LOL
How many times does the staff need to get burned? We've seen this OVER AND OVER again, Top 5 star recruit from the south (in this case Bolden) takes visits to Ohio State. Expresses interest in Ohio State. Flirts committing to Ohio State.
End the end he stays in the south. When a kid from the south has offers from Bama, Georgia, and LSU it's damn near impossible to get him north.
Totally agree with Fritzie. Unless we go all in on nil it is going to be really much tougher to recruit almost anywhere. Is Texas still even in play for us to recruit anymore? Doubt it. Push the nil to the limit and rules be damned. Until there is some strict regulation it is a war of $$$$$ and right now we cannot compete. Just wait until we lose a star underclassman to Alabama or whatever for $$$$$ and it is obvious tampering. It will happen sooner than later. They have no rules down south and now it it is just free for all cheating.
Bolden, Lester, Brown, Trader, Smith, and Pringle are from the south.
Other than WR, counting on pulling 4 and 5 stars out of the south feels like fool's gold. However, we might be able to put together a good class from other regions.
Not that the last class was bad but this one will be worse if we don't get on the NIL train. Many of these players have had little in their life and myself with a nice job with GM I was never handed huge bucks for doing nothing but being a good football player. The percentage of players being in the NFL for any long period of time is short and some of these kids will not be drafted let alone an NFL career.
Landing impact players at corner in this recruiting cycle is crucial (and they have to find a way to overcome the NIL barriers to do it). If they fail to do that we're not going to see this defense improve anytime soon. The defensive coaching staff ALL need to step up their game on the recruiting trail.
We need to do a better job of identifying players who have the physical traits (size, speed, etc.), who perhaps are flying a bit under the radar that, with development, will be good, solid football players.
Anybody can come up with a list of the top guys in the country and say hey let's go recruit them, that's easy. A lot of those guys are in the south, and those are the guys that we swing and miss on too often. Instead go find a few diamonds in the rough, maybe some guys in the Midwest or the East and develop them.
Those top 6 guys on that list definitely represent dire positions of need, I would say secondary especially is due for an overhaul and some fresh blood and fresh faces would go a long way in starting that process.
The Excellence of Execution, the Best there is, the Best there was, the Best there ever will be!
Aaron Scott should be seen as a top level priority. He’s in state and good. Lockdown the state then try fishing in the south. I know the coaches are but 11w seems to have other ideas.
Comments Show All Comments
We need cbs to stop big plays
Agreed we need elite corners and/or a system that doesn’t put them on an island with absolutely no safety help with an 11 point lead and less than ten minutes to go in the game.
Landing some top notch cornerbacks should be a top priority. The secondary practically won the SCUM game in 2016 for the Buckeyes. After those guys went to the NFL, the recruiting of secondary talent became lackluster. We are seeing wide receivers left wide open on a regular basis( they even left a Toledo receiver wide open), too many pass interference penalties, and missed tackles.
The story mentions Jim Knowles recruiting a linebacker. So far, we cannot include him as a stellar recruiter. It seems that the Buckeyes have only two great recruiters on staff: Hartline and Day.
Kerry was the great recruiter before Hartline. Unfortunately, when he left, recruiting in the secondary went out the door, it got better instantly when he returned, but hit the crapper again since he left again. It would be nice if Ryan and Knowles can talk him into coming back.
Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes
I hate to disagree with everyone, but I think OT is a way bigger need for us moving forward!
MACTE VIRTUTE
Transfer portal closes when?
I agree....stack the OL and DL....games are won in the trenches.
CBus love
OT, safety, and corner ALL need to be addressed in the portal this year. Let's just leave it at that.
11 Strong.
Secondary recruiting needs to rival our wr recruiting quickly. For 2 years our Dbs have been less than acceptable- definitely not BIA standards of the past.
JWilly3
Five years ago, some OSU partisans were calling the Buckeyes DBU. Now, we are far away from that distinction.
Styles is a five star that reclassified this season
He's a dog
He's also an anomaly (also he's a local kid from Pickerington who decided to stay close to home so it wasn't a hard decision for him to commit here). CB recruiting has been in the shitter since Okudah left and we've had our share of problems at safety in recent years as well (Styles is the best safety recruit we've had in years).
11 Strong.
What all the recruits will be saying:
https://youtu.be/FFrag8ll85w
"The minute I think I'm getting mellow, I'm retiring. Who ever heard of a mellow winner?" - WWH
CB’s should be fighting to come to OSU, they should see we have a problem here and want to be the difference maker and not go to an already loaded team. We have to get these talented CB’s out there to help our secondary who’s very suspect. Our defensive front and LB’s are solid but need to keep getting better. They better have a good contingency plan on losing Larry Johnson eventually. That will be a tough loss as he is the best DL coach in college Football.
DC
I love LJ but the retirement rumors surrounding him every year are affecting his ability to recruit. Eventually we're going to have to prepare for his departure. Missing out on THREE top 5-star D-line targets in this past class showcases how much our recruiting has fallen off there in recent years.
As for as CBs go the problem right now there is our NIL collectives aren't doing their jobs for us on the recruiting trail and that's what players are primarily looking for now, that first bag. And until Ohio State steps up their game with NIL that's going to continue to be an issue.
11 Strong.
I have literally never read or heard anyone say anything about LJ retiring except on buckeye fan sites. I’m sure other schools try to use it against him in recruiting but they are getting the ammunition from buckeye fans. Maybe stop talking about it and see what happens?
LJ is 70+ years old (only two years younger than Greg Mattison who retired two years ago). His impending retirement is a given and the longer he's here the more other programs are going to use that to negatively recruit against us. It has nothing to do with what the fans are saying (coaches rarely pay attention to that). LJ has been coaching nonstop since 1974. Even if he hasn't publically talked about it I guarantee retirement is something he's seriously considering (and the longer it drags out the more it's going to negatively affect our recruiting).
11 Strong.
You’re not wrong but answer honestly, if JTT has a bosa type year would LJ still be too old? Just trying to figure out if it’s his age or the results. People say age but it’s like everything else. What have you done lately.
The D-line play has not been as good in recent years under LJ as it has been in the past (despite guys like JTT and Sawyer being talented enough to be superstars). We haven't had a truly dominating presence up front since Chase Young. LJ's age has absolutely caught up with him in terms of his coaching ability. I love him but it's time for him to move on. He's not recruiting as well as he used to (partially because of NIL but also because recruits know he's likely to be retiring soon) and the development up front has been lacking under him since 2019 (Zach Harrison for example never developed into what we thought he'd be even though he was a well above average player this season).
11 Strong.
Devils advocate though, are the d-line results more influenced by lack of talent/development by LJ, or the lack of talent in the 2nd/3rd level and changes to scheme over the last few years?
I would argue that it's the latter. OSU has the talent up front (3 5*s) and I can't imagine that LJ forgot how to coach. What has changed over the past few years is talent in the secondary (WRs more open and/or QBs able to get the ball out before the pass rush can get home) and scheme (0 coverage, making the d-line space eaters so that the LBs and Safeties fill gaps and make the plays). Remember, Chase and the Bosa's had BIA level d-backs behind them forcing the QB to hold on to the ball just a beat longer - we haven't seen that over the past 3 seasons.
I think that you need to lump those D-End misses into the NIL bucket too - didn't some national recruiting analyst say that LJ would have had at least 1 of them locked up long ago if NIL wasn't a thing?
I agree that OSU needs to have some sort of plan in place for LJs inevitable retirement, but I think that NIL is a bigger factor than LJ's age at this point.
That’s what I’m thinking.
2024 Ohio being loaded is a welcome sight
OSU will be recruiting with one hand tied behind its back as the southern schools will be offering the NIL $$$. Gene Smith wants the big money boosters to donate to the school directly to fund his bloated athletic department instead of NIL collectives. I hope Warren leaves for the Bears and Gene becomes B1G commissioner because OSU needs a new AD that is pro NIL.
Gene Smith needs to cut some of the non-revenue sports. Sorry, but Ohio State does not need rowing teams.
Title IX Buckeyeman
MACTE VIRTUTE
Non-revenue sports have nothing to do with NIL... just sayin.
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
Money that is donated to support these sports could be used for NIL
Dumbest take in the time I have seen you post here.
and that says something.
there is Sir Yacht....and there is me.
It's really pretty simple, if we don't spend the money we will keep missing on the 5 star players. Sure we have more than the teams in the conference, but look at Bama and Georgia and maybe even USC ( with new coach LR ) and how often we loose the battle with Bama and Georgia.
Bolden could be that defensive centerpiece that draws other top players. Hopefully he becomes just that and soon.
Pretty simple; either get NIL up & running in an organized way or say goodbye to high 4 & 5 star players & to a top 5 football program. I don’t like the NIL with no rules or guidelines either but the top programs in the country don’t care. Especially down South where a large percentage of the better players reside.
Schwaan
2023 NSD is still a few weeks away. Gotta believe there's a guy or four that we would like to sign to complete this class.
We have to get on the ball with NIL and quick. I like a clean program, but if the NCAA is not going to enforce the rules whatsoever, do it. When NIL has structure and a framework with rules, then comply and follow them. I equate current NIL enforcement to going 57 in a 55 mph zone. Its speeding, but you know darn well it's not enforced.
We also need premiere recruiters for secondary and offensive line. Frye may be that guy, but I would reach out to Coombs again. Its clear that position coach is his highest level. He looked lost as the interim HC in their bowl game. Throw him $750,000 and an olive branch to come back. Added bonus, intensity!
Coombs is not coming back here. It would be too awkward a situation for him after how 2021 went (though I supported retaining him as CBs Coach if whoever the new DC was onboard with it) and Satterfield is keeping him on staff at UC. Cincinnati is his hometown so I doubt he'd come back here for any reason now.
11 Strong.
Coombs was a fine recruiter but that talent made him look good not the other way around. They didn't want him in the NFL either we did them a favor so they didn't have to fire him. You cats fell for that rah rah crap too some of you.
Denny
Mylan Graham cannot qualify academically! FACT! That is why he cannot commit anywhere!
3SticksBucks
Probably won't get many of them unless NIL changes.
Can we get some DBs who can backpedal?
Any update on portal targets or second signing day?
I did my own class calculator lastnight out of boredom this is what i ended with.
Offense.
1. Jadyn Davis QB 5*
2. Jeremiah Smith WR 5*
3. Mylan Graham WE 4*
4. Jordan Seaton IOL 4*
5. Guerby Lambert OT 4*
6. Ian Moore IOL 4*
7. Christian Betancur TE 4*
8. Jordan Marshal RB 4*
9. Boo Carter RB 4*
10. Michael Smith TE 4*
11. Demarion Witten TE 3*
Defense
1. KJ Bolden S 5*
2. Justin Scott DT 5*
3. Charles Lester CB 5*
4. Bryce West CB 5*
5. Nigel Smith DE 4*
6. Aaron Chiles LB 4*
7. Kinnston Villiamuasa 4* LB
8. Braydon Lee 4* CB
9. Elias Rudolph 4* DE
10. Aaron Scott 4* CB
11. Garret Stover 4* S
12. Kylan Fox 4* S
For a total of 23 recruits.
It might be stretch but it is a possibility. And new life into defensive recruiting that Ohio State NEEDS
Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it-John 1:5 SEC meet Ohio State, Ohio State meet SEC
So we are going to land 6 five stars after getting 3 total in the last 2 cycles since NIL started? I wish I had your optimism.
Not nearly enough OL/DL in that top 10
You need to be humble or you will get humbled. - Jocko Willink
I think that is because all the evaluations are not yet in on the linemen. Linemen are harder to evaluate, you need to see them in the summer camps, in person evaluations, and see how their season goes. Much easier to evaluate the skill players this early.
I don't mean to sound totally dumb but I don't have time to follow all the NIL stuff but I keep hearing complaints about it...what exactly are we not doing as a school vs these other schools with regards to NIL? Also how does Gene Smith fit into all of this? Any clarity would be helpful so I can join in the complaining LOL
How many times does the staff need to get burned? We've seen this OVER AND OVER again, Top 5 star recruit from the south (in this case Bolden) takes visits to Ohio State. Expresses interest in Ohio State. Flirts committing to Ohio State.
End the end he stays in the south. When a kid from the south has offers from Bama, Georgia, and LSU it's damn near impossible to get him north.
Totally agree with Fritzie. Unless we go all in on nil it is going to be really much tougher to recruit almost anywhere. Is Texas still even in play for us to recruit anymore? Doubt it. Push the nil to the limit and rules be damned. Until there is some strict regulation it is a war of $$$$$ and right now we cannot compete. Just wait until we lose a star underclassman to Alabama or whatever for $$$$$ and it is obvious tampering. It will happen sooner than later. They have no rules down south and now it it is just free for all cheating.
Might be hoping that since he’s related to Eliano the safety coach that might help. It would be stupid not to recruit him.
Of the twelve recruits listed, two are from Ohio.
Scott and Betancour are from Illinois.
Graham is from Indiana.
Seaton is from DC.
Bolden, Lester, Brown, Trader, Smith, and Pringle are from the south.
Other than WR, counting on pulling 4 and 5 stars out of the south feels like fool's gold. However, we might be able to put together a good class from other regions.
Not that the last class was bad but this one will be worse if we don't get on the NIL train. Many of these players have had little in their life and myself with a nice job with GM I was never handed huge bucks for doing nothing but being a good football player. The percentage of players being in the NFL for any long period of time is short and some of these kids will not be drafted let alone an NFL career.
Denny
Joshisa Is that spelled right and if so how is it pronounced ?
Joe Shiza?
Landing impact players at corner in this recruiting cycle is crucial (and they have to find a way to overcome the NIL barriers to do it). If they fail to do that we're not going to see this defense improve anytime soon. The defensive coaching staff ALL need to step up their game on the recruiting trail.
11 Strong.
We need to do a better job of identifying players who have the physical traits (size, speed, etc.), who perhaps are flying a bit under the radar that, with development, will be good, solid football players.
Anybody can come up with a list of the top guys in the country and say hey let's go recruit them, that's easy. A lot of those guys are in the south, and those are the guys that we swing and miss on too often. Instead go find a few diamonds in the rough, maybe some guys in the Midwest or the East and develop them.
Those top 6 guys on that list definitely represent dire positions of need, I would say secondary especially is due for an overhaul and some fresh blood and fresh faces would go a long way in starting that process.
The Excellence of Execution, the Best there is, the Best there was, the Best there ever will be!
Aaron Scott should be seen as a top level priority. He’s in state and good. Lockdown the state then try fishing in the south. I know the coaches are but 11w seems to have other ideas.
Ready this reminded me of an Aerosmith song.
That's right, that's right, we bad