Ohio State recruiting: Top players in Ohio for 2015

With the 2015 recruiting cycle now in full swing, we thought it would be a good idea to take another look at the top players in Ohio for the 2015 recruiting class. Since the update a few days after National Signing Day 2014, I have re-watched some film and am ready to do a second set of rankings.

The only two things that will be taken into account in these rankings will be current talent and upside. We will also add a quick comment on where the Buckeyes stand with the player.

Without further adieu, Land-Grant Holy Land presents the top 15 players in the Buckeye State for the class of 2015.

15. RB Andrew Dowell, Lakewood St. Edward

I'm a really big fan of both of the Dowell twins. I really like Andrew's potential at the running back position. He has good size to go along with solid speed at the position. I also think he has quite a bit of room to grow as a player. I wouldn't be surprised to see his stock shoot up following camp season.

Not sure he's Ohio State caliber right now, but with a good camp performance I wouldn't be surprised if he got offered by OSU, especially if the staff is willing to take two running backs in this class.

14. S Tyree Kinnel, Wayne

I'm not 100% sold on the Michigan commit right now, but I really like his potential and think he could develop into a very good player for the Maize and Blue. He has very good speed for a safety (4.4) and will definitely be a candidate to move up after camp season.

Ohio State never showed a ton of interest in the rising safety and even if they did show interest somewhere down the road, I think he's solidly committed to the Wolverines.

13. LB Chris Green, Toledo Central Catholic

One of my favorite in state players, Green has been solid for a couple of years now and has the ability to be a solid linebacker once he reaches the college level. He's a pretty sure tackler, but I'm not sure if he's an every down linebacker right now.

It doesn't seem likely as things currently stand, but there's a chance Ohio State could offer him at some point. In any scenario he'll be playing at a high profile school as he has an impressive offer list.

12. WR David Dowell, Lakewood St. Edward

Really good route runner, good hands, but would love it if he was a little bit quicker and a little bit faster. If he can improve in the speed department just a little bit, he's definitely a guy who could move into the top five-seven of these rankings. There's also a chance he could play defensive back in college.

If he has a good showing at a camp this summer, I would definitely offer Dowell if I were OSU as I think he has what it takes to fit in at Ohio State.

11. TE CJ Conrad, Keystone

He's a very good athlete, who could make an immediate impact in the passing game when he arrives on the college scene. I would really like to see him improve his blocking over the next year and if he does that, I think he's one of the best tight ends in this class.

I'd keep an eye on him regarding Ohio State, especially if the staff decides to take two tight ends in this class. I'm assuming he'll be camping at OSU this summer.

10. LB Nick Conner, Dublin Scioto

I love what I saw from Conner at Best of the Midwest Combine last month. He's athletic, has a good frame, and could probably play at all three of the linebacker positions in college. He's still a little bit raw and has some developing to do, but comes with loads of potential.

An offer from Ohio State is very possible for the standout linebacker if he has a good showing at one of the camps in June.

9. LB Anthony McKee, Columbus Walnut Ridge

Love his athleticism, the way he plays the game, and his playmaking abilities. He's a bit of a tweener right now as he's not a perfect fit at safety or linebacker (right now), but that could change as he adds weight over the next year. However, there's always a place for a good football player to play.

Like Conner, I think he'll have to camp this summer to earn a Buckeye offer and if he performs well, it's definitely in the realm of possibility that he earns the offer.

8. C James Daniels, Warren G Harding

Ohio's best offensive lineman in this class could easily slot in at guard or center. I think he's most likely to play in the center of the offensive line, where I think he could be a very solid player. It would be great to see him grow a little (currently 6'2) and add a little strength to his 280-pound frame before arriving in college.

Ohio State is in a very good spot for the Buckeye legacy, but he's not ready to make a decision. Iowa will be the top competition for the Scarlet and Gray as his brother plays for the Hawkeyes.

7. DE Dre'Mont Jones, Cleveland St. Ignatius

The big defensive end (6'5, 250 pounds) has quite a bit of upside and has the ability to be a great defensive end once he arrives at the college level, provided the coaching staff of whichever school he chooses.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was one of the Buckeyes' next two or three commitments. We could see him end his recruitment as soon as the spring game in a couple of weeks.

6. DE/LB Rashod Berry, Lorain Digital

I'm a huge fan of Berry. He has loads of talent and if he puts everything together, he could end up being a top-notch college football player. He currently stands at 6'5, 230 pounds, so it would be nice to see him add a little bit of weight in between now and when he arrives on a college campus. In order to qualify, I've hard he still has a little bit of classroom work to take care of.

If he's able to take care of business in the classroom and performs well at an Ohio State camp this summer, I think there's a good chance he can earn an offer from the Scarlet and Gray.

5. CB Shaun Crawford, Lakewood St. Edward

When it comes to pure defensive backs in the state of Ohio, the Lakewood St. Edward standout is the best of the best. He's great in coverage, a good tackler, solid speed, and has fluid hips. He is a little bit on the short side (5'9), but he still has the chance to be a great player at the next level.

He's committed to Michigan right now and I don't see that changing. Ohio State and Notre Dame are still in pursuit, but I don't see him anywhere other than Ann Arbor right now.

4. RB Larry Scott, Hubbard

It's very clear Scott is the best running back in the state for the 2015 class. He has a perfect combination of size and speed, to go along with fantastic vision. His big issue is school, where he has had his struggles and isn't quite at the point where he'd qualify. Provided he takes care of things in the classroom, he has the potential to be great.

If he can get through the NCAA clearinghouse, I would say the Buckeyes have a very good chance and would definitely accept his commitment.

3. ATH Eric Glover-Williams, Canton McKinley

Superman has a lot of speed and should be a great fit in the spread offense. He plays quarterback for his high school, but there's no chance he stay behind center at the college level. He could fit at running back or wide receiver on offense and if he played defense he could be a defensive back.

As long as he doesn't screw up off the field or in the classroom, he'll be playing his college football for Ohio State. I don't see him flipping or taking other visits as long as everything is good with OSU.

2. LB Justin Hilliard, Cincinnati St. Xavier

The standout linebacker just needs to add a couple of pounds and he'll have a college-ready frame. He's good at getting off blocks, rushing the passer, and is a pretty good tackler. He also has the ability to develop into a good coverage linebacker.

This is going to be a long battle between Ohio State, Iowa, Oklahoma, Michigan, Notre Dame, and a couple of others in order to land his commitment. A lot of guys say they're going to wait to commit and end up committing early, but I truly believe Hilliard when his says he won't decide until late in the process.

1. ATH Jerome Baker, Cleveland Benedictine

The multi-talented athlete keeps his spot as number one in our rankings. He has the ability to be a very good running back or linebacker at the college level. This could still go either way, but right now it's probably most likely he'll play linebacker. He'll need to add some weight to play linebacker (only 205 pounds), but he has the ability to be a playmaker on both sides of the football.

Ohio State is definitely his leader right now, but he doesn't want to commit until during or after his senior season. I wouldn't be shocked to see him do it sometime this summer, though.