Jamario O'Neal, Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville) DB/ATH. 6-1, 185, 4.4 speed. 3.0 GPA. Earliest verbal commitment ever for Ohio State. #1 overall prospect in the state of Ohio for 2005. Incredibly gifted athlete that could get a look at multiple positions at the next level, but early guess is that he will be a defensive back. Although only a sophomore at the time, finished third in the state 100 meters championship, running a 10.89. Was said to have received unprecedented offers from Florida State and Oklahoma just after finishing his sophomore season.
Alex Boone, Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edwards), OT. 6-7, 295, 5.1. Prototypical OT prospect that was offered a scholarship after his sophomore season at Ohio State, something that rarely happens. Very tall with long arms and good flexibility. Although not a full-year starter as a sophomore, wowed coaches at camps in the summer of 2003. Extremely high praise from high school coach who has coached many players that have gone on to D1-A schools. Sky is the limit - upside is off-the-charts.
Aaron Pettrey, Raceland, KY (Raceland), K. 6-2, 180. Originally a 2004 prospect who verbally committed to Ohio State to be part of the 2005 class (making him a grayshirt). Kicked 58-yard and 53-yard FG's as a senior. An outstanding athlete as well, setting the all-time Kentucky state record for career completion percentage. Completed over 70% of his passes as a senior and threw for 53 TD's in his last two seasons of high school ball. Due to a loophole in the enrollment rules, Pettrey can practice with the team this year in August and September up until the time school starts. Will officially enroll in January 2005.
Jim Cordle, Lancaster, OH (Lancaster), OL. 6-5, 275, 5.1. 3.0 GPA. Committed to Ohio State over Cincinnati, Kentucky, West Virginia, Notre Dame and Illinois. One of the top O-line prospects in the midwest region. Was a fast rising prospect at the time of his commitment to Ohio State.
Ryan Williams, Mission Viejo, CA (Mission Viejo) DE. 6-5, 240, 4.73. Hard working end with a 36" veritcal jump. Great frame to add additional weight. Good strength. Outstanding pass rusher. Good technique. Grew up in Washington Court House, OH. Helped team to 13-0 record in 2003. Chose OSU over offers from Oklahoma, Colorado and others.
Todd Denlinger, Troy, OH (Troy), DT. 6-3, 280, 4.85. One of the top DT prospects in the nation. 3.85 GPA. Very strong and incredibly agile for a big man. Played MLB as a junior and recorded 125 tackles with 17 TFL's. Could get a look at end at OSU, but likely will be a DT. Chose Ohio State over offers from Oklahoma, Tennessee and others.
Brian Harline, Canton, OH (Glen Oak), WR. 6-2, 174, 4.5. Outstanding athlete. One of the top few WR prospects in the state. Long arms. Very fast with great leaping ability. Excels in track and field, going to the states in two hurdle events, high jump and the 4X400 relay. 3.9 GPA. Chose Ohio State over offers from Iowa, Michigan State, Pitt, Northwestern, Stanford and others.
Rob Schoenhoft, Cincinnati, OH (St. Xavier), QB. 6-5 1/2, 233, 4.88. Top QB at OSU Nike Camp in the spring of '04. Great frame and overall size with excellent arm strength. Very tough. Good release with a nice touch. Throws a very nice deep ball. Selected to play in the National Elite 11 quarterback camp. Considered to be one of the top QB prospects in the nation. Selected Ohio State over scholarship offers from Michigan, Notre Dame and several others.
Malcom Jenkins, Piscataway, NJ (Piscataway Township), CB/S. 6-0, 180, 4.45. 8 interceptions as a junior. 34" vertical. Runs track, finishing 6th in the 400m in New Jersey. 3.0 GPA. Played some offense as a junior, but will play DB at the next level. Committed to Ohio State over offers from Syracuse, Va Tech and others. OSU coaches offered Jenkins after an impressive showing at their June camp. Jenkins will likely first get a shot at cornerback at OSU.
Andre Amos, Middletown, OH (Middletown), WR/CB. 6-1, 170, 4.5. Committed to Ohio State, passing down offers from Michigan, Boston College, Purdue, West Virginia, Wisconsin and several others. Versatile athlete that may be able to play on either side of the ball at the next level. Very quick and electric with the ball in his hands. Good pair of hands with good overall speed. 4 TD's and 3 INT's as a junior.
Doug Worthington, Athol Springs, NY (St. Francis) DE/DT. 6-7, 255, 4.75. 72 tackles and 7 sacks as a junior. Very strong. Great frame. Plays basketball for St. Francis H.S. One of the best D-linemen on the east coast. Top 5 prospect (if not higher) in the state of New York. Chose OSU over Tenn, Fla, BC, Maryl, Wisky.
James Laurinaitis, Plymouth, Minn. (Wayzata) Linebacker. 6'2", 233lbs. 4.7/40. Was the # 4 player in state of Minn. for 2005, Rivals top 30 linebackers nationally. Offers from Notre Dame, Minnesota, Illinois, OSU. James is described as an extremely aggressive and hard hitting tackler. He likes to punish runners and reminds many of A.J. Hawk with his excellent lateral speed. Extremely high further growth potential. He may turn out to be one of the real sleepers of this class. Listen for his name to be called a lot!
Austin Spitler, Bellbrook, Ohio (Bellbrook), Linebacker. 6'2", 220, 4.75/40. Austin was recruited my many MAC and big name schools (Boston College, Michigan, Purdue, Stanford, Wisconsin, Miami (Ohio) but never wanted anything other than to be a Buckeye. He is an Ohio Top 25 Player and a Rivals Top 50 linebackers nationally. He was considered somewhat of a late-bloomer to the mainstream college recruiting scene and could turn out to be another major "sleeper" in this class. He also played Fullback in high school. Great intensity and bleeds Scarlet & Gray.
Anderson Russell, Atlanta, Georgia (Marist), RB/DB. 6'0", 202lbs., 4.58/40. Anderson played both sides of the ball in high school. He was recruited heavily by the SEC and the ACC. His college coach says he is loaded with power and loves contact on both sides of the ball. OSU will look at him first at Safety. Excellent speed and cutting ability, also shows quick acceleration.
Freddie Lenix, Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville), RB/LB/DB. 5'11", 205, 4.5/40. Superior overall athlete. Rivals.com Top 25 athlete and Ohio Top 20 overall. Recruited by Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, UNC. Really wanted to be a Buckeye and was offered late due to late SAT testing schedules. Could play multiple positions, including two-way. Close friends with Teddy Ginn and Troy Smith. Off the charts up-side potential.
Maurice Wells, Jacksonville, Florida (Sandalwood), RB. 5'9", 182, 4.4/40 (but has been timed as low as 4.35 in high school). Magnificant overall athlete with 3% body fat. Rivals.com Top 5 RB. Recruited by OSU, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame and USC. Maurice was one of the hottest RB recruits in the country and could have gone just about anywhere. He has been known for a while for his speed and super-quick feet, but proved in his senior year he can also run between the tackles. He merely had 1,900 yards and 20 TD's in his senior year in only nine games. He finished high school with a total of 5,985 yards and set the state of Florida high school single game record of 429 yards. Potential? What do you think?
Donald Washington, Indianapolis, Indiana (Franklin Central), WR/DB. 6'1", 180, 4.5/40. Excellent athlete with quick feet and good cutting ability. Recruited by OSU, Illinois, Toledo. In his senior year he played mostly at wide receiver where he made 45 catches for 800 yards and 10 TD's. In high school, he was the first sophomore in Indiana High School history to win the state long jump. He also played his ENTIRE senior year with a broken foot.
Brian Robiskie,Chagrin Falls, Ohio (Chagrin Falls), WR. 6'3", 195, 4.45/40. Extremely athletic wide receiver with excellent hands and is said to be very physical after the catch. Recruited by OSU, Miami (Fla.), TBGUN, Stanford, USC, Florida, Notre Dame. In his senior year he had 38 catches for 643 yards (16.9 average) and 10 touchdowns. I believe Brian has the potential to be one of the real sleepers in this excellent class. Should get faster and stronger.
Lawrence Wilson, Akron, Ohio (Akron St. Vincent/St. Mary), DE. 6'5", 230, 4.60/40. Superb defensive lineman who had originally verballed to Notre Dame, but things changed when Ty Willingham was fired. First Team all-Ohio player who was recruited by all of the big name schools including Notre Dame, Michigan, Florida and Pittsburgh. He also excels at basketball. Enormous wingspan helped him register 11 sacks and 77 tackles as a senior. His upside potential is tremendous, could see playing time as a freshman.
