Like most major college football head coaches, Urban Meyer stood at a podium on National Signing Day in 2015 and praised the recruiting class he just inked.
“Very excited about this class,” Meyer said that day.
That was hardly surprising, of course, as coaches wouldn’t say anything else publicly about a group of players set to enter a program. And Meyer and Co. just signed the nation’s No. 7-ranked recruiting class, according to 247Sports composite, so the excitement level was somewhat warranted for those inside the walls and the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Fast-forward two-plus years to Tuesday morning, however, and Meyer stood at the same podium but delivered a strikingly different tone when he discussed that 2015 group.
“The ‘15 class, they’ve received a lot of heat and it’s very justified,” he said.
This was hardly the first time Meyer publicly challenged that group.
Meyer’s first not-so-subtle jab at his 2015 class came back on National Signing Day, two months ago, after Ohio State landed the nation’s No. 2-ranked haul. Speaking on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, Meyer said he and strength coach Mickey Marotti compared the Buckeyes’ roster to an Oreo — tough at the top and bottom but soft in the middle.
After Ohio State’s first practice of this spring, Meyer reiterated those thoughts about the 2015 group.
“It’s that ‘15, that group of players in there that haven’t performed,” he said March 7. “We’re very strong at the top, we’re very strong at the bottom and now we gotta squeeze it to make sure everybody’s productive and provides value.”
“You do that, you’ll have a fine team. If you don’t, you won’t.”
Here is how Ohio State’s recruiting classes ranked nationally under Meyer: 2012 (fifth), 2013 (second), 2014 (third), 2015 (seventh), 2016 (fourth), 2017 (second). All of them ranked as a top-five class nationally with 2015 the lone exception.
Let’s be clear here: There are some talented players from this class. Running back Mike Weber became just the third Ohio State freshman ever to run for over 1,000 yards. Linebacker Jerome Baker enjoyed a breakout sophomore season with 83 tackles — second on the team. Dre’Mont Jones emerged as one of the Buckeyes’ best defensive linemen and Isaiah Prince started every game at right tackle last fall.
“That was not a good class and the good thing is they’re allowed to change and they’re starting to change. That class, that was a misfit class, is starting to buy in and they better.”– Urban Meyer
Cornerback Denzel Ward and defensive tackle Robert Landers were solid contributors last season, as well, and both are expected to have expanded roles this year for Ohio State this year. So, too, is wide receiver K.J. Hill.
But other than that, the on-field production from a class that featured 26 players lacked a bit. Four members of the class — Torrance Gibson, Alex Stump, Grant Schmidt and Jamel Dean — are no longer with the program.
There are probably reasons for the lack of success thus far. One is health. Several highly-coveted recruits in that class have been plagued by injuries; Justin Hilliard, Jashon Cornell and Nick Conner come to mind.
Another issue could be the fact the 2015 class entered the Ohio State program to a team that returned a large core from its national championship campaign. Only four members of the Buckeyes’ 2015 class avoided a redshirt during their first season: Ward, Baker, Prince and Eric Glover-Williams. Most of the players who came to Columbus that year probably knew they weren’t going to play due to the talent that returned to Ohio State’s roster.
Whatever the case may be, it’s clear some members of the group heard Meyer’s public comments.
“I take it personal,” Baker said recently. “I feel like our class is a very good class and just like getting on the field and playing as well, you should take it personal. When people talk about our class is not producing and everything like that, you take it personal.”
“I’m part of that class so when you say our class you’re definitely talking about me too,” he continued. “You take it personal and use it as motivation to go out there and show that we all can play.”
Of course, there is still time for some members of Ohio State’s 2015 class to turn things around. This is the third year in the program for those who remain and the third year is often seen as make or break for a lot of players. If you can’t get on the field in your third season, a harsh reality might set in that it may not happen. Those conversations will almost surely happen at the end of the year with some players.
But they don’t have to if there is a drastic change. Meyer said he’s starting to see a difference midway through this spring.
“That was not a good class and the good thing is they’re allowed to change and they’re starting to change,” he said. “That class, that was a misfit class, is starting to buy in and they better.”
