Recruiting Rundown: What's Ohio State's Best Option for a Second Quarterback in 2017?

Months ago, we discussed why Ohio State should take a second quarterback in 2017.

At the time, the idea was this: bad things can happen, quarterback rooms get smaller unexpectedly, and it made sense to try and find another. The idea wasn't without detractors, but it's become apparent over the course of the last three months that things have changed. Stephen Collier is out for the year with a torn ACL. There's discussion – believe me there is – that JT Barrett, with a great season, could depart for the NFL. 

There's a need for another quarterback. We talked a bit last week about the 2018 quarterback chase and today we're going to circle back to 2017 again, as it's going to be a pretty commonly discussed issue over the next few months.

There are names you know, but today we'll try and shed some light on who they are, why they're the top picks and maybe try to make sense of who fits best with what the Buckeyes need and want.

First and foremost, to verify what Danny Clark has verbalized publicly, he has not been told that he will be required to grayshirt.

I have not been asked to greyshirt by OSU. Stop listening to your cousin's friend who "knows" someone.

— Prototype (@DClarkQB) May 6, 2016

He has been told that Ohio State is going to take another quarterback, and Clark isn't going to back down from his commitment as long as he knows the truth about what's going on, and the Buckeyes – per his own admission – have been entirely honest with him.

So, if there's another quarterback coming, who will it be? Right now the primary options are without a doubt five-star Tate Martell and four-star Kellen Mond. 

JUST SHORT OF THE COMPLETE PACKAGE?

With Martell, it's simple: the kid exudes quarterback. One source talked about the Bishop Gorman star with us the other day.

"Thing is, with (Martell), he's got everything you want a guy in his position to have," the source said. "He's the best pure passer of the group, he's the best runner of the group, he's a winner, he's a leader, he can recruit other players. The only thing to not like is his height, but he's ahead of the other in every other way. You gotta see him lead his team, he's totally in charge of everything in his offense. It's the most impressive thing about him."

But he's short, right? To use the dating parlance of our times, is that a dealbreaker?

Short quarterbacks can make it at the college level, and they can be very successful, especially when surrounded by the type of talent Martell would be around in Columbus. This isn't that other Tate – Forcier – running an offense full of undersized dudes, ignoring the physical nature of the Big Ten. 

If this Tate were four inches taller, he'd be one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks in recent memory. Believe that.

Does size matter?

A CASE OF THE MOND-DAYS?

As for Mond, he's less of a finished product, but there's a substantial amount of upside.

"Kellen?" the source said. "He's got the physical stuff that Tate maybe doesn't. He's big, bigger than expected and he throws a really good ball. He runs well and he's not close to being done developing. He's got a big future."

Originally from San Antonio's Reagan High School, Mond is the new starter – and for one year – at the IMG Academy in Bradenton. That move is a major one and perhaps the biggest question mark about the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder is whether or not he's going to being able to grab the reins as a leader at a place like IMG. If he doesn't do that, is it reasonable to expect him to do that in Columbus and with Urban Meyer? If you're not a Type-A, alpha male at Ohio State, it's almost impossible to be the leader the Buckeyes expect.

Mond is physically what you're looking for in a college quarterback, and he impressed Ohio State's Tim Beck more than expected when the Buckeyes' quarterback coach stopped in to see him two weeks ago. In fact, it may be how good Mond was that has thrown this wrench into Meyer and Beck's plans. 

DON'T FORGET THE HORNED FROG

All the talk is on Martell and Mond, but there could be a wildcard. 

TCU commitment Shawn Robinson.

When Tim Beck took over for Tom Herman at Ohio State, he brought with him a number of well-developed relationships in Texas, but perhaps none more than Robinson. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder camped at Ohio State two summers ago, but the Buckeyes – with Danny Clark already in tow – didn't pay too much attention to the four-star prospect.

That wasn't a great move, because Robinson really fits the mold of what works in the Ohio State offense. For now, though, the conversation/movement between the two sides remains at a relative standstill, but he's absolutely not out of the picture. 

I'm not saying another visit to Columbus is imminent, but it'd be less than a surprise if there's something being worked out behind the scenes.

TIME NOT ON THEIR SIDE?

Martell is the best fit. Mond may be even higher on Ohio State than Martell is. Robinson may be the perfect blend of the two. It's not an easy chase, because at some point the Buckeyes lose control of it and are at the mercy of a teenager and their parents.

Mond has discussed wanting to make a decision before July so that he's able to recruit aggressively at The Opening. Martell has just re-opened his recruitment and has expressed a desire to see the process through before enrolling in January, so no decision is pending. Robinson isn't talking publicly about a visit and with two of the top three remaining targets currently committed, is there anything that's remotely a surefire win?

So who's "the guy?" 

The one who wants in first.

Does that give Mond the edge? 

We'll see.