Recruiting Mailbag: Nick Bosa, Class Size, Breaking Down Wide Receivers and More

I only have one: Latest on Bosa. I need 4 more years of shrugs – Fitzbuck

Nick Bosa is, without question, the single most important recruit in Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class. He's the validation that the way Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson, Sr. have done things Joey Bosa have worked. Nick choosing Ohio State – if he does, which most, including myself, believe he will – says the Bosa family saw the promises Meyer and the coaching staff at Ohio State fulfilled and that they trust the Buckeyes with another of their sons. That kind of trust is huge, and it speaks volumes about the character of the coaches at Ohio State.

Bottom line? Auburn, Florida State and others are going to make the Buckeyes work to keep the Bosa bloodlines in Columbus, but barring any changes to the coaching status of Meyer and Johnson, Sr., expect a "Bosa is a Buckeye" story around the end of summer.

Most likely to commit between now and Spring Game? – Puff Daddy

Timeline-type questions are always difficult to answer because generally speaking the prospects who are willing to commit this early could potentially pop at any moment. They're players who've narrowed their lists early, focused heavily on their recruitment and been to the campuses of the schools they're still considering a number of times. Those kids are the ones who could end their recruitment tomorrow or six months from now because they're just saying "when I'm ready, I'm ready." That happened last night when Terrell Hall chose the Buckeyes. 

So, if I have to pick one player who's most likely to commit between today and April 18th? I'll go with Liam Eichenberg, Brendan Ferns or Justin Layne if we're talking specifically in the 2016 class. Adding in the 2017 group, I'd say Marcus Williamson is a likely pick up prior to the spring game.

If you had to pick 2 DTs that we have the best shot at getting, who would they be? – BayArea_Buckeye

Defensive tackle is probably the single most important position of need for 2016, and subsequently an area that we'll discuss a number of times between now and signing day. Obviously the Buckeyes' highest priority target is Paramus Catholic (Paramus, NJ) star Rashan Gary. Gary and Ellenwood, Georgia's Antwuan Jackson are two of the country's best players and Ohio State would love to nab those two, but neither will be easy to reel in.

What's realistic? I think Ohio State's still in a good position with Detroit Cass Tech's Michael Onwenu, Evanston, Illinois' Naquan Jones and if they can arrange for Fort Worth's Michael Williams to get on campus, he'll move up the likely list as well. One player who could be a sleeper-type option? Loveland, Ohio's Jake Saunders.

Are we in a dead period, or are there any imminent decisions on the horizon? Are we going to see any sort of movement with Rashan Gary, or is he a signing day decision? Same goes for Austin Mack and Eichenberg. – Ohio State Ombre

Austin Mack will decide on June 7, along with his good friend from Fort Wayne, defensive end Auston Robertson. Eichenberg, as noted above, isn't listing any specific date for a decision, but that could happen at almost any time, although it's unlikely his recruitment carries on to signing day. Rashan Gary doesn't say much, but I'd anticipate that one going down to the wire, and for the Buckeyes to get the country's second-ranked player come next February they need to get him on campus, and multiple times.

Where do we stand at getting a big wide receiver who can take the top off defenses? How many wide receivers do you think we will take in this class? – HattanBuck85

The aforementioned Austin Mack, is still leaning towards the Buckeyes, according to most close to him. Mack is a player whom the Buckeye coaching staff is very high on, and they think he's got All-American potential. He's been tabbed by one source at Ohio State as a "grown ass man" on the football field, praise that doesn't get tossed around lightly by a staff that demands perfection in everything their players do.

Detroit Martin Luther King's Donnie Corley is another very realistic option for the Buckeyes, in fact many expected him to commit at the end of January when he was on campus for Ohio State's latest junior day. He's got big-time potential and an offer list to back that up.

To me, however, the country's best prospect for that "over the top" type wide receiver is Coconut Creek, Florida's Binjimen Victor. He's 6-foot-4, he's athletic and catches anything thrown his way. The question with Victor – who visited Ohio State last summer – is can the Buckeyes get him back on campus soon enough to make another great impression on him.

I think Ohio State will take three, maybe four wide receivers in 2016 if they can get the ones they really want.

In your opinion, Birm, what's the "Harbaugh Vibe" out there with recruits? Does he carry a similar presence as a Meyer or a Saban? Some guys are great coaches, some are great recruiters, and a few are both. Just curious what your early feeling is. – BuckGuyFan1

There's a couple different schools of thought re: Harbaugh. First, his coaching resume is obviously impressive. He did a great job at Stanford, developed a number one overall draft pick at quarterback and then took the 49ers to the NFC championship game three years in a row. He will have a much easier path to success at Michigan than he did in Palo Alto; the academic standards are not as rigorous and the Michigan brand – despite years of mediocrity – remains strong.

Harbaugh took over in Ann Arbor and many of the country's elite prospects instantly renewed their interest in the Wolverines, but a number of key recruits – including players he should have had the advantage in landing – went elsewhere on signing day. The fact is, there's a lot of good football programs around the country right now and many of them have been better than Michigan in the last decade. For Harbaugh – who has been away from the college game and recruiting for five years – to win in living rooms, he's going to have to win on the football field.

Birm what is your favorite part about doing these 11W community questions that you then respond to? How hard is the process if you get a question and it requires you talking to someone on the football or basketball staffs? How does the process work? – Buckeye4life050233

I really like any chance I get to talk, about anything. Truth be told, though, I really prefer the chance to just be myself and get to know the readers more. As cliché as it sounds, if it weren't for you guys and gals I wouldn't have the chance to do what I love.

If there's a question that comes up that requires talking to someone on staff, I just ask. I'm fortunate to have decent relationships with a number of people, and generally they get back to me pretty quickly.

What are your thoughts on the '16 class size and how do you see it breaking down? I've seen it mentioned around these boards that it will be a smaller class, so does that mean 15-17 or 18-20? In consideration of the expected class size, how do you see it playing out in terms of # of recruits by position, not necessarily names? – JohnnyKozmo

You know, we all thought the 2015 class was going to be "small," didn't we? For 2016, the number 18-20 sounds good, but if the Buckeyes can get 25 guys that they really want, they'll sign 25 players that they really want. If I had to break it down numbers wise, I guess I could see it like this.

• Quarterback (1)
• Running Back (1) - Kareem Walker
• Hybrid Back (2) - George Hill
• Wide Receiver/H-Back (4) – Kierre Hawkins
• Tight End (2) – Jake Hausmann
• Offensive Line (3) - Tyler Gerald
• Defensive End (4) - Jonathon Cooper, Terrell Hall
• Defensive Tackle (2)
• Linebacker (2)
• Defensive Back (3)

Not related to recruiting, but I saw a post of yours stating that your money is on Lattimore to win the other starting CB spot. With his injury and Webb/Conley's experience, is there anything in particular that makes you think he'll get the nod? – BGSUBucksFan

A number of people I trust and talk to inside of the Ohio State football program were absolutely glowing in their praise of Lattimore prior to his injury last fall. In fact, more than one told me they felt he could have actually earned the starting spot opposite Doran Grant last year, and that's not a knock on Eli Apple or anyone else.

Lattimore's athleticism is rare, and he's a player that many feel will make a big impact Ohio State the moment he steps on the field.

Is Nate Craig-Myers a realistic flip candidate for Urban, or has that ship sailed? – HolyBuckeye1093

Nate Craig-Meyers, for the uninitiated, is the country's top 2016 wide receiver, hailing from Tampa, Florida. During much of his early recruitment, Craig-Meyers had the Buckeyes on the top of his list, despite never visiting Columbus. After an April 2014 visit to Auburn, the Tigers leaped to the top of his list. In July of last year, he committed to Gus Malzahn and Auburn.

Ohio State remains in the hunt for Craig-Meyers, but it's more often Florida State that is associated with the Tampa Catholic star, who broke his leg early in his junior season. If he never visits Ohio State, then the Buckeyes never had a chance. If he does, things get real. Would you bet against this guy?

I wouldn't.