Recruiting Rewind: The Top 11 Recruiting Moments of 2014

11. SIGNING DAY SURPRISES

As national signing day approached, the Buckeyes believed that they'd have a shot to land one defensive lineman who had been heavily linked to an in-conference foe: Michigan State. What most didn't know is that the player who would end up signing with Ohio State would be New Jersey's Darius Slade and not Detroit's Malik McDowell as most expected. McDowell's saga was played out nationally as he and his parents took their disagreement over his school choice public. 

Slade redshirted for the Buckeyes this season. McDowell played in every game for the Spartans as a backup defensive lineman and has collected 1.5 sacks this season.

10. NICK CONNER DOES THE DARN THING

It didn't happen as soon as he wanted, but Dublin Scioto linebacker Nick Conner was offered by Ohio State — and committed to the Buckeyes — in mid-June. The country's 5th-ranked linebacker was a hometown hero and a player many recruiting fans were hopeful would earn a spot in the "Elite '15." It took an offer from Michigan State in early June for Ohio State to expedite their evaluation process. 

Two weeks later, the same day that Conner decided to attend a one-day camp at Ohio State with the hopes of earning an offer, he was a Buckeye. He was Ohio State's 7th commitment in 2015.

9. MICHIGAN RECRUITING CLASS CRUMBLES

A year ago, Michigan's 2015 recruiting class was on its way to becoming one of the country's best, full of big-name players and with loads of momentum. Five-star talents George Campbell and Damien Harris had each verballed to Michigan in mid-2013. By January 21st, they were both ex-Wolverine commits and the talk that Harris could end up a Buckeye was in full bloom. The ironic, or peculiar thing about the early collapse of the Michigan class? There was only minimal discussion of a post-Hoke Ann Arbor but the feeling of imminent doom couldn't be shaken.

After their season-opening win against Appalachian State, shouts of Michigan's return echoed throughout the Big Ten, but by mid-season all that had returned was desolation and doom draped in maize and blue. As it became clearer that Hoke's future was all but decided, the exodus from Ann Arbor began. Now, on December 14th, Michigan's 2015 class sits at only six commitments, and there's a definite possibility that could shrink to four as defensive back Tyree Kinnel and athlete Brian Cole continue to explore their options.

8. MICKEY MITCHELL IS A BUCKEYE...AGAIN

In August of 2013, Ohio State received a commitment from Plano, Texas hoopster Mickey Mitchell. Mitchell was not the first Mitchell to commit to Ohio State. If you recall, his brother Mike was a five-star football recruit and the two were thought to be a package deal, with Mike paving the way for Mickey's future in Columbus. Along the way, something happened to throw a kink into the plan, namely Mike's departure from Ohio State this past February. 

When the linebacker brother left, the majority of Buckeye fans felt it was only a matter of time before the basketball brother did the same. In this case, the pessimist became the realist and Mickey decommitted from Ohio State on August 21st; disappointing, but expected. What was not expected was when just two weeks later, Mitchell boarded a jet plane and headed to...Columbus, Ohio for an official visit, the only one he'd take.

On September 11th, Mitchell re-joined Ohio State's 2015 recruiting class completing one of the wildest recruiting rides ever.

7. MIKE WEBER FLIPS FROM MICHIGAN TO OHIO STATE

The most recent story to make this year's list, Mike Weber hasn't made any proclamations that there "will be blood" but he's likely to be as disliked by Michigan as any player in recent history when he first suits up against the Wolverines. The country's 13th-ranked tailback, Weber decommitted from Michigan on November 21st, and less than three weeks later, he ended his recruitment by giving a verbal commitment to Urban Meyer. 

Weber, the second-ranked player in the state of Michigan, is the second player from Cass Tech to commit to the Buckeyes this cycle, joining teammate Josh Alabi, a two-way lineman for the Technicians. He is also the second consecutive second-ranked player in Michigan to choose Ohio State: Damon Webb held that honor in 2014.

6. BURRELL TURNS SCARLET AND GRAY

For much of the 2015 recruiting cycle, many close to the Ohio State recruiting efforts were clear that Virginia offensive lineman Matt Burrell was a big deal. In fact, one person very close to the situation contended that Burrell was the most important recruit in the 2015 class. His combination of talent and personality, they said, made him vital to the long-term recruiting success of the "Elite '15" and if they didn't land him the class would not reach its full potential. 

When Burrell, without fanfare, announced his commitment on Twitter on November 17th, it was met with widespread celebration from Ohio State fans, coaches, and future players. Since his commitment, Burrell has been active in trying to help finish out the Buckeye recruiting class and has been working hard to make sure he contributes as a freshman next fall. Commitment number 21 for the Buckeyes was a big one indeed.

5. GIBSON IS A BUCKEYE

While the end result was what many expected it to be a long time ago, the route to an Ohio State commitment wasn't predictable for Torrance Gibson. When we first discussed Gibson's talent, there was no doubt that Ohio State was going to be in the mix for his eventual signature. As he became a national figure, Gibson's fame and social media presence took off, creating an almost-bigger-than-himself figure that rubbed many who followed him the wrong way. The Buckeyes, at one point in the summer, dropped almost completely off his list of schools, but a mid-summer discussion with Urban Meyer and subsequent July visit for Friday Night Lights changed everything. 

The Buckeyes surged into the lead for his commitment and never looked back. It was early November when he finally made the plunge and his commitment caused tremors throughout the college football landscape. Whether or not Gibson ever plays a down at Ohio State (and I suspect he'll play many of them) he's recruitment is a story worth remembering.

4. MATTA REELS IN CRAZY GOOD CLASS

After bringing in an excellent haul in 2014, a group that's already contributing in big ways, Thad Matta and his coaching staff got right back to work for 2015. We've already discussed the circuitous route taken by Mickey Mitchell, but his commitment was just one of the key pieces for the country's ninth-ranked class. Signed, sealed and delivered, the Buckeyes' class is highlighted by the sweet shooting Austin Grandstaff, a shot-blocking big man in Daniel Giddens and a game-controlling point guard, AJ Harris. 

The Big Ten's top-ranked class for 2015, Matta's newest group should be the centerpiece of Ohio State's future basketball glory. 

3. JEROME BAKER SPURNS BUCKEYES, THEN DOESN'T

Jerome Baker didn't do what people thought he'd do, at least not initially. You see, when you're one of Ohio's top two players, and you've got a scholarship offer from Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes, you're not supposed to commit to Florida. Baker did that, though, and it's impossible to put it any other way: it stung. Baker's decision was bad enough, but the likelihood that he'd close down his recruitment was worse. He had no intention of flipping, but that didn't stop Meyer and the Buckeyes from pursuing. 

Conner and Baker during their official visits to Columbus this weekend.

As Will Muschamp and Florida stumbled out of the gate, the drumbeats of a coaching change in Gainesville became deafening and impossible to ignore. Baker began planning a visit to Ohio State to prepare himself for what was becoming inevitable: Baker was going to be a Buckeye. The flip, when it happened, was as quick and decisive as the 6-foot-2, 210 linebacker's first step and as impactful as a knockout shot to a wide receiver over the middle. On October 21st, Baker was a Buckeye. His commitment, done simply on Twitter, was the 18th for the Buckeyes and completed the in-state linebacker trifecta fans had dreamed about: Baker, Justin Hilliard and Nick Conner.

2. BURROW BLOWS UP, BECOMES SPORTSCENTER TOP PLAY

When Joe Burrow decided, moments after receiving a scholarship offer from Ohio State, to commit to the Buckeyes, it shocked some people. Ohio State had been — according to the chicken littles among us — struggling to find recruiting success and the worriers were in full-force. Burrow's commitment, they said, was a surefire sign that the Buckeyes were going to "settle" at quarterback in a year where getting a big name at the position was vital. 

Afterall, Burrow was only the 16th-ranked quarterback in the country when he committed (13th now), and since he played subpar competition at Athens High School, you could disregard his 2013 Gatorade Player of the Year award, right? Well, if you know Joe Burrow, you know that doubting him is a darn fine way to get a mouthful of crow. 

In his senior season, Burrow exploded and became widely recognized as the elite quarterback that Ohio State believed he was when they extended him an offer. The 6-foot-4, 210 pound Burrow repeated as Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio, earned Mr. Football honors and spent some time at the number one position on SportsCenter's Top Plays for his self-completion for a touchdown in November. 

Burrow saved his best for last and shined on the big stage of Ohio Stadium in early December during Ohio's Division III state championship game. Despite a career-ending loss, Burrow's ascension to star from secret is impossible to ignore. 

Oh yeah, his sock game is on point too.

1. TEN-STAR WEDNESDAY

A date that will live in infamy: July 2nd, 2014. You see, that was the day that Justin Hilliard and Jashon Cornell selected to try and destroy your beloved Eleven Warriors. Dubbed "Ten-Star" Wednesday, the linebacker (Hilliard) and the defensive lineman (Cornell) committed to the Buckeyes within moments of one another, taking turns on ESPN.com committing to Ohio State; Hilliard first and Cornell minutes after. 

The surge of ten-stars crushed the 11W servers and put the website out of commission for hours: "Buckeye Nation" and the fans of Eleven Warriors flat out wore us out that day. Days later, the pair of fast-friends would travel to Oregon and represent Ohio State at Nike's The Opening, working tirelessly ever since to help secure one of the nation's best recruiting classes, and it's worked. The duo has been at the forefront of nearly every recruiting success story in 2015 and are sure to continue that work through signing day and beyond.

Well, there you have it; our list of the Top 11 recruiting moments of 2014 for the Buckeyes and Eleven Warriors. How would your list look?