Ryan Day is coming off his first full class in the recruiting journey with a very solid group in the class of 2020. He is continuing that with what could be a record-breaking 2021 class that, no matter how it progresses from here on out, will remain an elite class. While much of that credit goes to Day and the staff he has created, he was left with the legacy that Urban Meyer built. To pay my respects for all the recruiting prowess and success Urban has had, I’ve created a list of Urban Meyer’s 25 top-rated recruits. Keep in mind, this is not a list of their success at OSU, just how highly rated they were coming out of high school. It also includes players from 2012 and 2019, as he helped create those classes.
Without Further Ado, the List:
25. JK Dobbins - All-Purpose Back - 2017
Class: 2017
Position Ranking: 2nd
National Ranking: 46th
Composite Ranking: 4-star, .9791
OSU Stats: 5,114 total yards, 43 total Touchdowns, 6.17 y/c
Accomplishments: 6th place in Heisman voting, OSU’s Single Season Rushing Record (2,003 yards), Doak Walker Award finalist and First Team All-Big Ten.
My Favorite Moment: Either the 68 yd Touchdown against Clemson OR his 4 Touchdown day vs Michigan.
NFL Career: Projected 1st or 2nd Round Pick
24. Trevon Grimes - Wide Receiver - 2017
Position Ranking: 6
National Ranking: 41
Composite Ranking: 4-star, .9806
OSU Stats: 20 total yards, transferred to Florida after freshmen season.
Accomplishments: None yet
My Favorite Moment: Did not have any defining OSU moments.
NFL Career: Still In College
23. Jeremy Ruckert - Tight End - 2018
Position Ranking: 2
National Ranking: 37
Composite Ranking: 4-star, .9810
OSU Stats: 155 total yards
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: One-handed TD Catch in the 2019 Big Ten Championship against Wisconsin
NFL Career: Still In College
22. Jonathon Cooper - Weak-Side Defensive End - 2015
Position Ranking: 3
National Ranking: 33
Composite Ranking: 4-star, 9811
OSU Stats: 52 total tackles, 1 pass defended, 6.5 total sacks
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: Sack against Michigan in 2019
NFL Career: Still In College
21. Tyreke Smith - Weak-side Defensive End - 2018
Position Ranking: 4
National Ranking: 34
Composite Ranking: 4-star, .9816
OSU Stats: 21 total tackles, 3 sacks
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: Don’t have one yet, but I’m sure it’s coming.
NFL Career: Still In College
20. Joey Bosa - Strong Side Defensive End - 2013
Position Ranking: 4
National Ranking: 37
Composite Ranking: 4-star, 9819
OSU Stats: 151 total tackles, 26 sacks, 1 Int, 2 FF
Accomplishments: Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year (2x), Big 10 Lineman of the Year (2x), First-team All American (2x), All-Big Ten (2x), Lombardi Award Finalist.
My Favorite Moment: Game-winning sack against Penn State
NFL Career: Third Selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Pro-Bowler
19. Damon Webb - Cornerback - 2014
Position Ranking: 5
National Ranking: 36
Composite Ranking: 4-star, .9830
OSU Stats: 131 total tackles, 6 INTs, 2 Pick 6’s, 7 Passes Defended, 2 FR, 1 FF
Accomplishments: Big 10 Honorable Mention
My Favorite Moment: Pick 6 against Nebraska
NFL Career: Undrafted Free Agent
18. Jaelen Gill APB (Converted to WR) - 2018
Position Ranking: 2
National Ranking: 30
Composite Ranking: 4-star, .9831
OSU Stats: 62 total yards, 1 Touchdown
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: 32-yard catch and run TD vs Rutgers
NFL Career: Still In College
17. Jalin Marshall - Wide Receiver - 2013
Position Ranking: 4
National Ranking: 34
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9839
OSU Stats: 1151 receiving/rushing yards, 12 Touchdowns, 754 Return Yards
Accomplishments: N/A
My Favorite Moment: 2015 Touchdown catch against Michigan
NFL Career: Undrafted Free Agent, Currently plays in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
16. Harry Miller - Center - 2019
Position Ranking: 2
National Ranking: 30
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9868
OSU Stats: Backup Guard Freshmen Season
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: N/A
NFL Career: Still In College
15/14. Vonn Bell - Safety - 2013
Position Ranking: 2
National Ranking: 26
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9876
OSU Stats: 175 total tackles, 1 sack, 4 tackles for loss, 14 passes defended, 9 INTs, 1 Pick 6, 2 FR
Accomplishments: 2nd Team All-Big Ten
My Favorite Moment: Interception against Alabama in 2015 Sugar Bowl
NFL Career: Drafted in the 2nd Round of 2016 NFL Draft, Currently signed with Cincinnati Bengals
15/14. Wyatt Davis - Offensive Guard - 2017
Position Ranking: 1
National Ranking: 24
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9876
OSU Stats: I mean… he’s OG, not too many stats
Accomplishments: 2nd team All-Big Ten
My Favorite Moment: Knocking down player against Michigan (2019)
NFL Career: Still In College
13. Tyreke Johnson - Safety - 2018
Position Ranking: 2
National Ranking: 21
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9878
OSU Stats: 3 tackles
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: Don’t have one just yet
NFL Career: Still In College
12. Taron Vincent - Defensive Tackle - 2018
Position Ranking: 1
National Ranking: 20
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9884
OSU Stats: 3 Tackles, 1 Tackle for loss, 1 sack
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: Do not have one just yet, but one is soon to come
NFL Career: Still In College
11. Adolphus Washington - Weak-side Defensive End - 2012
Position Ranking: 2
National Ranking: 19
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9895
OSU Stats: 142 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 Pick 6, 1 FR, 3 FF
Accomplishments: N/A
My Favorite Moment: Pick 6 against Western Michigan (It was fun watching the big guy run)
NFL Career: Third Round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, current NFL Free Agent
10. Raekwon McMillan - Inside Linebacker - 2014
Position Ranking: 1
National Ranking: 22
Composite Ranking: 5 star, .9896
OSU Stats: 275 Total Tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 INT, 1 Touchdown, 10 Passes Defended, 1 FR, 2 FF
Accomplishments: N/A
My Favorite Moment: His lone touchdown will forever remain my favorite memory of him.
NFL Career: Second Round Draft Choice in 2017 NFL Draft, Still with the Miami Dolphins
9. Garrett Wilson - Wide Receiver - 2019
Position Ranking: 2
National Ranking: 20
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9903
OSU Stats: 432 receiving yards, 5 Touchdowns, 86 Return Yards
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: Leaping Catch against Clemson in Fiesta Bowl
NFL Career: Still in College
8. Shaun Wade - Cornerback - 2017
Position Ranking: 2
National Ranking: 17
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9904
OSU Stats: 57 total tackles, 2 sacks, 4 interceptions, 14 passes defended, 3 FF
Accomplishments: 3rd team All-Big Ten
My Favorite Moment: Sack Against Clemson in 2019 Fiest Bowl (Regardless of Targeting)
NFL Career: Still in College
7. Zach Harrison - Weak-side Defensive End - 2019
Position Ranking: 2
National Ranking: 12
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9933
OSU Stats: 24 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: Sack against Indiana
NFL Career: Still in College
6. Baron Browning - Outside Linebacker - 2017
Position Ranking: 1
National Ranking: 11
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9940
OSU Stats: 80 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 6 sacks
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: Sack against Michigan State OR tackle/throw against Indiana (Both 2019)
NFL Career: Still in College
5. Jeff Okudah - Cornerback - 2017
Position Ranking: 1
National Ranking: 8
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9955
OSU Stats: 83 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 INT, 18 Passes Defended, 2 FR, 1 FF (2 if you count Fiesta Bowl :)
Accomplishments: 1st team All-Big Ten
My Favorite Moment: ‘Forced Fumble’ against Clemson, Pass Break-up against Washington, or his laying down INT against Nebraska, I just find it kinda funny.
NFL Career: Projected 3 Overall NFL Draft Choice
4. Chase Young - Strong-side Defensive End - 2017
Position Ranking: 2
National Ranking: 7
Composite Ranking: 5-star, 9957
OSU Stats: 98 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks, 9 Forced Fumbles.
Accomplishments: OSU Sack Record Holder, First Team All-Big Ten, Ted Hendricks Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, 4th in Heisman Voting
My Favorite Moment: 2018 Sack against Rutgers or 4 sack, 2 FF game against Wisconsin (2019)
NFL Career: Projected 2nd Overall NFL Draft choice
3. Nicholas Petit-Frere - Offensive Tackle - 2018
Position Ranking: 1
National Ranking: 7
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9963
OSU Stats: N/A
Accomplishments: None Yet
My Favorite Moment: Don’t have on just yet, coming soon.
NFL Career: Still in College
2. Nick Bosa - Weak-side Defensive End - 2016
Position Ranking: 1
National Ranking: 8
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9965
OSU Stats: 77 total tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, 2 Passes Defended, 2 FF, 1 Touchdown
Accomplishments: First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year
My Favorite Moment: Sack against USC or Forced Fumble against Maryland
NFL Career: Second Overall Pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, AP Defensive Player of the Year
1. Noah Spence - Weakside Defensive End - 2012
Position Ranking: 1
National Ranking: 5
Composite Ranking: 5-star, .9975
OSU Stats: 62 Total Tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks
My Favorite Moment: Sack/Forced Fumble vs Penn State
NFL Career: 2nd Round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Currently signed with New Orleans Saints.
