We've spent a lot of time talking about how special the 2017 class is shaping up to be, and two position groups are expected to stand out the most. The group of defensive backs is already the best in America, and Greg Schiano and Kerry Coombs are looking to add at least 2-3 more to the fold. The Buckeyes have yet to land a wideout for 2017 but remain in great shape for a few of the nation's best.
Today, we look back at some of the top position groups Urban Meyer has landed and how the current class could ultimately stack up.
Despite having only two months to recruit until 2012's national signing day, Meyer was able to bring in the nation's top two defensive end prospects. While Adolphus Washington pledged to the Buckeyes about a week before Meyer was introduced and would ultimately move to defensive tackle, the effort put forth on five-star Noah Spence was beyond impressive; even for someone like Urban Meyer.
Spence was a priority upon Meyer's arrival. Via
Spence's past transgressions have been well documented, but he still recorded 8.5 sacks during his two seasons in Columbus. He went on to get things turned around after transferring to Eastern Kentucky and is expected to be a first-round selection in April's NFL Draft. Washington recorded 25 tackles for a loss – including 13.5 sacks – during his tenure in Columbus.
Meyer's time in Columbus has seen a number of the nation's top recruiting classes, but the 2013 haul reigns supreme. Several members of the class will be drafted in the first couple rounds this spring, but two position groups stand out among the rest. One of which made its mark in Columbus while the other mostly fizzled.
Eli Apple, Vonn Bell, Gareon Conley, and Cam Burrows headlined what was arguably the nation's top defensive back group. Apple and Bell should both be selected in the first two rounds of the Draft. Conley had an impressive sophomore season and is a candidate to make the jump to the pros after 2016. With the void at safety, Burrows is looking to make more of an impact during his final season in Columbus.
On paper, the linebacker haul was also exceptional. Mike Mitchell and Trey Johnson both committed to the Buckeyes during the Under Armour All-America Game while Darron Lee – listed as an athlete coming out of high school – was the wildcard. Arthritis in his knees forced an end to Johnson's career while Mitchell moved back to Texas due to family issues. Lee's triumphs are well known and his legend grew a little more when he put together one of the more impressive NFL Combine showings.
2014 featured the signing of three of the nation's top linebackers in Raekwon McMillan, Dante Booker, and Kyle Berger. McMillan looks to lead the Buckeye defense in 2016 while Booker is working to take over one of the vacant outside spots. After a series of ACL injuries, it was announced that Kyle Berger's football career was over. The Cleveland native is now looking toward med school.
Linebacker was the story again in 2015 as the Buckeyes brought in another trio of the nation's best; this time all hailing from the state of Ohio. Urban Meyer battled Brian Kelly for Cincinnati's Justin Hilliard. After a somewhat shocking pledge to Florida, Cleveland's Jerome Baker eventually would flip to the good guys. Nick Conner worked tirelessly to earn the coveted Buckeye offer and wasted little time announcing his intentions.
With Joshua Perry and Darron Lee both gone, all three should contend for playing time this season. Conner has the look of a middle linebacker while Hilliard could be utilized in the middle or in place of the departed Perry. Baker appears to be more of the speedy, Darron Lee-type and could be in for a battle with fellow outside backer Chris Worley.
Last month, the Buckeyes brought in a pair of the nation's top running backs in Antonio Williams and Demario McCall. Williams is already on campus and could push Mike Weber and Brionte Dunn for playing time this season. McCall could end up at a number of different spots and should definitely see the field in 2016.
The Buckeyes also bring in two of the nation's top defensive ends; both of whom should play as true freshmen. Nick Bosa is recovering from knee surgery while Jonathon Cooper has bee participating in spring practice. Wideouts Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor make up the top wide receiver duo that Meyer has signed since his arrival in Columbus.
Two weeks ago, we made some way-too-early guesses as to how the Buckeyes' 2017 class may end up. With four of the nation's top defensive backs in the fold already and 2-3 more appearing to be leaning toward Ohio State, the secondary haul legitimately could be one of the best position groups ever signed by any school. That may sound a bit hyperbolic, but that's exactly how things are trending.
Jeffrey Okudah, the nation's top-ranked safety, was recently in Austin and the Texas chatter almost immediately started back up. Even if the Buckeyes were to miss out on the five-star and fail to keep Shaun Wade in the fold, that still leaves Amir Riep, Lamont Wade, and whatever other names pop up between now and February. Riep is tentatively scheduled to announce his decision on July 23rd and the Buckeyes still appear to be the frontrunners for Lamont Wade.
It seems like we've been talking about the 2017 wide receiver class for just about two years now. Yet here we are in March and neither Trevon Grimes nor Jaylen Harris have pulled the trigger yet. Alas, there appears to be no need to fret on either front.
Grimes continues to tell everyone – including Florida analysts – that Ohio State is his leader. A few crystal balls to the Gators have come in recently, but it feels like those are merely stemming from his quarterback having already committed to Florida.
Harris hasn't announced any sort of timeline, but the Buckeyes are still the runaway favorites; though Bama and Michigan State remain high on his list. Tyjon Lindsey, the nation's top slot receiver, could be a tough pull from the Trojans now that he'll be back in California for his senior season. Birm certainly likes the Buckeyes' chances with the five-star as he's currently got the lone crystal ball pointing toward Columbus.
Donovan Peoples-Jones and Emmanuel Greene are both out there as well, but right now it's tricky to get a gauge on either recruitment.
All in all, both position groups should wind up being two of the better ones we've seen with Meyer at the helm. Obviously the most important part will be how the lofty rankings translate to on-the-field success, but right now Greg Schiano, Kerry Coombs and Zach Smith have a lot to be excited about.
