How are you feelin' Buckeye fans?Chances are, by the time you read this, the first letter of intent will have screeched its way onto Woody Hayes Drive. Whether it's from Jamel Turner, the first commit of the class, or one of the 17 other young men that have agreed to spend the next handful of years in Columbus is unknown, but as Dominic Clarke's early morning submission from a year ago proves, some kids just can't wait to become Buckeyes.
There are certainly two and possibly as many as four slots still open in the class and all that's really left is to see who fills them. Two big fish will make their decisions today and if all goes well, they will push the class to 20. St. X's Matt James will pick between Ohio State and Notre Dame when he announces at 11:45. Later, we'll find out whether everybody's number one, Seantrel Henderson, will be attending Ohio State, USC or perhaps another school when he makes his decision live on Tom Lemming's Generation NEXT on CBS Sports at 5pm.
I can find an "expert" or "insider" that has each of these guys going to every single school on their final list, but I personally think Tressel gets James while Henderson breaks for the Trojans. I'd love to be wrong about Henderson, but indicators are starting to point west for the mammoth tackle.
And then there's receiver James Louis of Delray Beach (FL). He's been a Buckeye verbal since late July but found time to get in an under-the-radar visit to Gainesville in recent weeks and is probably enjoying the serious mindfuck he's presently playing with Buckeye football fans. I have a hard time thinking he's going to Minnesota, but it's recruiting and things change oh so fast.
If Louis bolts or the staff loses out on James and/or Henderson, it might open up room for Glenville's Latwan Anderson, who committed to West Virginia in the Army All-American Bowl, but is rumored to want to be part of this class. Just to make things even more confusing, Morgan Moses is out there in when-will-he-sign, is-he-eligible and is-there-room land.
Finally, you have to wonder if there are going to be any late, completely off the radar surprises, a la Kenny Guiton, or if the staff banks the scholarships for what's sure to be a better Ohio crop in 2011.
We've got your signing day covered and will make frequent updates as the day progresses. Alex will be at Tressel's presser later in the day to capture those sweet, sweet first words about his new toys.
So stay tuned, take deep breaths and realize that no matter what, we're bringing Carlos Hyde and Rod Smith into the same class.
