Part 1
As we look back on the recruiting trips Jim Tressel and his staff took this year, we see they brought in some good talent. I think the closest comparison to this class would be the 2005 class, where everyone thought that guys like Jenkins, Laurinatitus, Hartline, etc, were all labled as scrubs. Buckeye fans were wrong execpt on one note: Anderson Russell. (Sorry, had to stick it in there). We will recap the recruits we missed and hit, while giving them grades, and a rundown of their future as well as where ITS said they would go.
Seantrel Henderson - OL - 6'8"/330 - LOI - None - ITS said USC
As everyone knows, because we keep telling you over and over again, Seantrel Henderson has not totally decided where he wants to go to school at yet. On National Signing Day, he annouced he would attend the university of SC, but never signed his LOI. Many rumors flowed soon after, and Seantrel would proceed to say he wants to wait and see what the NCAA decides to do with the allegations involving USC. What this basically means is that he didn't have enough time to truly think about it, and wanted more descion time, but he said USC because CBS paid for the rights to televise it. (Which, in all honesty, is complete bull, since they didn't televise it on the CBS around the nation). It came so close that Seantrel sent a text message to his former high school coach with the word Miami. Not good news for Buckeye fans. Overall the staff seemed to go after him hard, but Tressel didn't want to spend all his time there, so he risked it and it eventually lead to this. Grade: D - (until further notice)
Jordan Hicks - LB - 6'2''/220 - LOI - Texas - ITS said Ohio State
Jordan Hicks was the lone "star" recruit in the nation to announce on Friday afternoon. Buckeye fans thought he was either a Gator or a Buckeye. They were wrong. Hicks announced in front of his school that Friday to announce he would be playing for Mack Brown. Hicks shocked some Buckeyes and that's when the Henderson recruit became even bigger for the Buckeyes to pick. Many thought if we didn't get Hicks, we had to get Henderson, and we didn't (yet). Jordan is an outstanding linebacker, who has good speed and a good nose for where the ball is at all times. ITS posted some exclusive video of him a couple of months back. Jim Tressel and his staff recruited him fairly well, and in this case, there was nothing they could really do. Grade: B
Roderick Smith - RB - 6'3''/220 - LOI - Ohio State - Ohio State - ITS said Ohio State
Rod Smith is a very good running back that Ohio State was recruiting fairly hard, and was, most fans think, the lone gem in a heap. Smith has outstanding size and has rare athleticism for a kid with his frame. He is a great cutter, even when going full blown speed. He's known for his break out plays, which will help the Buckeyes with big play capability. We know he can block, and scouts had him down that he can catch fairly well. His weak point, would be his inside running, although that can be easily fixed by weight gain and good coaching, which we know Dick Tressel is reliable in that category. I think Rod can start his sophomore/junior year. There is so much talent at running back right now, that we have a stable similar to what USC used aganist us the past two years. Herron, Saine, Berry (Our favorite since recruited, love the kid) Hyde, Hall, Martin, and now Smith. Grade: A-
Come back tommorow for part 2, when we wrap up the last of the big name recruits.
