The 11W Recruiting Mailbag is your one-stop-shop for all things Ohio State recruiting. Got a question? Ask it, and if we can answer it, we will.
RANDOMOSITY
I'm always intrigued by the "dark horse" guys urban focuses on and pulls out of nowhere on national signing day. I'd like to see Terry Beckner Jr. be that guy this year, but are there any other names we should keep an eye out for? - Codeezy
- I actually think Terry Beckner is a pretty solid choice here. He's a guy the coaching staff really likes and he's supposed to visit in December. He's stayed quiet on the recruiting front for months, and the Buckeyes have been one of the more active staffs in his recruitment. Let's see what happens in December. If he visits, there's a good shot. Another player who's already visited that fans don't talk much about is Juwuan Briscoe. I know there's a few potential options along the offensive line at the JUCO level as well.
Any commits from Florida and/or Michigan the staff may be looking at? - Hovenaut
- Definitely some guys to watch from Ann Arbor. We've chronicled Garrett Taylor (will he visit or won't he?) and we've talked about a handful of other opportunities, but the one player most intriguing to me is Brian Cole. He's scheduled to visit in December but right now I just don't know where he fits in to the class position wise. Is he a safety? Is he a wide receiver?
2016 has a lot of talent at running back (Hill, McCall, Walker, Holyfield, etc.). Will we try to get two? Or possibly switch someone to h back if we are lucky enough to have two that want in? - OSU407
- With George Hill already in the mix, the Buckeyes are absolutely in a position for 2016 that is kind of precarious with running backs around the country. North Ridgeville's Demario McCall is the most likely second pickup, but he's more of a Dontre Wilson role than an Ezekiel Elliott role. Kareem Walker is too good to pass up if he wanted in, Robert Washington isn't listed above but he's as viable an option as any. It's a good problem to have if you ask me.
How do the 2016 QB dominos fall in your opinion - Turtlebuster
- I'm currently on record as predicting Jarrett Guarantano to end up in Columbus and Dwayne Haskins, Jr. in Happy Valley with Penn State. However, there's a catch, as there always is. If the Nittany Lions were to get a commitment from another quarterback soon — like Jake Zembiec for example — a few dominos will undoubtedly shift. I know Haskins is a lifelong Buckeye fan, but Guarantano has had the Buckeyes as his leader for sometime, visits next weekend for Michigan and wants to announce sooner rather than later. Haskins to Notre Dame then? Anything is possible this early of course. Another player Ohio State fans should pay attention to? DeSoto, Texas star Tristen Wallace.
Will any offseason OSU coaching changes change our status with any possible recruits/commits? - The Clean North
- When you're a successful football program, you lose assistant coaches, so yes, expect some Ohio State assistants to get looks for bigger jobs this off-season. We all know the discussion around Tom Herman, Ed Warinner and Chris Ash among others is there, so let's not pretend we're deaf to it. I believe that each of those three, along with a few others on the staff, are ready for head coaching jobs or promotions, so Urban Meyer will have to fight to keep his staff together. However, Meyer is the type of coach who recognizes that he succeeds if his guys succeed, so he'll never try and stop someone from leaving for a great opportunity. That said, I hope that he is able to bring the gang back together for at least one more year, because the 2015 team should be special. If you're a coordinator, like Tom Herman for example, the opportunities will be there this winter, but more money and greater opportunities will be available next year, especially if you have "National Champion" attached to your resume.
Who do you see coming in as a true freshman and making an instant impact of the commits that we have so far or even of a prospect that we are most likely to sign? - UCBuckeye
- Justin Hilliard is one, for sure. I think Dre'Mont Jones is another that could surprise some people. Jashon Cornell will enroll early, and that will give him a chance to make an early impact as well.
Are we gaining back any ground with Kirk? Especially with how well JT has been distributing the ball and with Gibson's commitment? - SilverState
- Sadly, no. Christian Kirk is not going to be a Buckeye. It's a shame, truly, because I think he fits the offense better than anyone in the country.
So many people are questioning the size of this class. Many believe that it borders on oversigning to take as many as have been forecast. I have always maintained that the coaching staff usually knows exactly how many spots they have when all things are considered (players leaving early for the NFL, players transferring, some just hanging it up). I really don't see the staff as intentionally oversigning or forcing people out. What is your take on it? - NW Buckeye
- Before I answer this question, I want to be very clear: the Ohio State coaching staff has not told any commitment that they weren't welcome in their recruiting class. The Buckeyes know who they're able to take, and who they'd save room for. The bottom line is this: college sports is a business and a commitment requires both sides to live up to their end of the agreement. If one doesn't, the other won't either.
LET'S TALK RUNNING BACKS
I know this is an obvious one but does Kentucky's recent skid help the Bucks with Harris? If so, how confident are you he commits to the good guys? - YTownBuckI
With our recent influx of LB talent, especially the '14 and '15 class, is Jerome Baker the RB in this class? I don't see who he's taking reps from at the LB position with youngins like Lee, McMillan, Booker, Berger and Hilliard likely all ahead of him. I also just don't see Harris, Scott or Weber in this class. Tell me why I'm wrong. - SFGoody
There was talk about LJ Scott before the MSU, but nothing after. I know he was in East Lansing...any updates? - Sk4664
Is there any chance Nyheim Hines gets an offer, or is there just not enough room? His tape is pretty impressive, and I think he'd be a perfect match for this offense. - DrTom1234
RB??? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ - BrooklynBuckeye
- Oh yeah, the running back question. Where to begin...
First of all, Damien Harris, it would appear, is moving from "fading" to "fallen" as it pertains to the Buckeyes. Harris has not been back to Columbus since his September official visit, has visited Kentucky one million times since then and on November 29th he'll visit Alabama for the second time in three weeks instead of coming to Ohio State for their game against Michigan. The Buckeyes don't believe they're out of it completely, but are worried – can Matt Burrell's commitment help? Maybe, but don't count on it.
LJ Scott? Will he or won't he visit on 11/29? That's the guessing game right now and if that happens, expect a serious consideration of a flip. Scott and the people close to him are playing things very close to the vest. Mike Weber will visit in December, so will Ke'Shawn Vaughn. The question with Weber is whether or not Michigan's next coach will be able to come in and rally the troops to stay in Ann Arbor, but at this point it does appear he'll end up elsewhere. Vaughn is a talented back, but the investment the Buckeyes have into the top three mean those three will get the first crack at being the man at tailback for 2015.
Jerome Baker is a linebacker first at Ohio State; but yes, he's a guy talented enough to play tailback in an emergency. Nyheim Hines has a Buckeye offer, but it doesn't appear they've maintained enough contact with him in recent months to be a real threat to land him.
LINE UP
Davon Hamilton? Are the Buckeye's sleeping on a star right in there own back yard? Are we at least player for his services? - Edugoon
- I heard a few months ago that the Buckeyes were starting to crank up interest in the Pickerington Central star, but they've not been in contact with him and it appears that at least right now, there's no interest.
Who do you think we will end up with on the offensive line on signing day? - Keith Byars Is The Man
- I think the Buckeyes finish their offensive line recruiting with Grant Schmidt, Kevin Feder, Matt Burrell, Branden Bowen and...maybe one more. Let's see how The Game goes for a couple of big targets. Ohio State would definitely take five offensive lineman if either Drew Richmond or Andre James wants in.
Think Holmes is the heir opposite Bosa or incoming freshman like Cornell? Any more Dline recruits on horizon like Gallimore? What is the word on possible DL recruits? - Squirrel Master
- I'm not sure what to make of the Neville Gallimore recruitment, honestly. He visits next weekend and his coach, Geoff McArthur has said often that he really likes Ohio State, despite a general sense of luke-warmness from my personal conversations with Gallimore himself. Is that just his personality? Probably. Could the Buckeyes swoop in and land him next weekend? I've learned to never count Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson, Sr. out.
As for Holmes? He certainly looks the part. I think he's one of a few guys that will certainly see a lot of time next fall, but don't be surprised if Noah Spence is granted a reprieve by the NCAA and is the guy lined up opposite Bosa, either.
GOOD OL' FASHIONED BIRMYNESS
If you could visit any country outside the USA, where would you go? - BuckGuyFan1
- Ireland, I think. I've always thought it just looked beautiful there. I'm not much of a fan of flying though, so the idea of being airborne for what would seem like a day doesn't thrill me.
What has been your favorite experience while writing for Eleven Warriors? - NutaBuckas
- Without question, and I know this will sound like posturing, the best part is getting to know the people I've gotten to know over the last few years. Recruits, their families and coaches, people involved in the Ohio State football program, our readers and fans from all over the country. Eleven Warriors is a truly unique website and we work really hard to do things the right way and it shows in the success we've had these past few years. From Dubgates to the Gold Pants Social, I think what we do and why we do it is unlike anyone out there in the Ohio State sports world. This is a labor of love for each and every one of us and the chance to be a part of this site, not once but twice, is something I don't take for granted even a single minute. You guys are what makes Eleven Warriors great, we're just trying to make sure we don't let you down.
