Land-Grant Holy Land - National Signing Day 2014: Everything you need to know about Ohio Statehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46551/lghl-fave.png2014-02-05T18:25:06-05:00http://www.landgrantholyland.com/rss/stream/51453352014-02-05T18:25:06-05:002014-02-05T18:25:06-05:00Urban's '14 National Signing Day press conference
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3KDaV62yXgZBsSZPNhJzBX43aKw=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28143001/20130921_lbm_aw3_004.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>By request, here's Meyer's press conference from earlier today.</p> <p>COACH MEYER: It's been a significant developments or several developments. Not that significant. Several developments as far as our program first we had a little staff transition. I think this is the first time I've had a chance because we've been on the road. We lost two coaches. Everett and Mike Grable.</p>
<p>We replaced him with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Larry Johnson</a> and Chris Ash, but a couple of comments with those gentlemen we hired. First they wanted to be here, they both had very, very good jobs and they wanted to be here. Larry, obviously. Mike Grable is an opportunity to say Mike did an excellent job for us, excellent recruiter. Hurts me that he left. But I know it was all positive. But he's a Buckeye and really did a great job for us recruiting. A dynamic personality, and that went into, when I was putting together to replace him, you can't lose a dynamic person, personality, energy guy and not replace him where you're just not going to have that in your program.</p>
<p>And so we hired Larry Johnson. Larry Johnson is a guy I had great respect for many years. Made a phone call two years ago when I was hired here in December whatever year that was, I called Larry. We discussed Ohio State. But then I made the decision to hire Mike Grable. We just didn't have a spot. Noah Spence's dad called and said Larry would like to talk to you about a position. This is right after Mike took this position. And the communication was great. We went and met in Indianapolis at the convention and it was a no brainer on our end, and Gene Smith approved as well.</p>
<p>So he's been everything that I thought he would be, spending time with him on the road and had an impact as far as recruiting already. And then Chris Ash is charged with‑‑ he's got a serious responsibility. That's to improve our pass defense. He'll be in charge of the entire back end of our defense.</p>
<p>He's going to coach safety. He's going to continue to coach corners. However we're going to have one voice back there, it's his responsibility to improve our pass defense.</p>
<p>And obviously it's more than just a secondary. It's linebackers and everything. But you're going to see some significant changes in the way we approach our business back there.</p>
<p>I'm going to be more involved than I ever have been, just to make sure that we get up to standard at Ohio State on defense's side of the ball with emphasis in pass defense.</p>
<p>Player transition. We just had a group of seniors depart Ohio State that came from losing seven games two years ago to winning 24 straight.</p>
<p>Obviously a couple bumps at the end but a group of players I have a lot of respect for. I love those guys. Those guys came in and they let us attack their hearts and let us coach them. And they're gone. <br>So whenever you lose a good group of players you have to replace them. And I like our last year's recruiting class, and I really like this year's as well.</p>
<p>We signed 23 players. Emphasis is on linebacker. Going to give you a quick analysis of our roster and where I think the strengths, there are some obvious strengths and weaknesses but the linebacker position is one that's we're going through an overall right now.</p>
<p>That's far too many mistakes have been made in either lack of development or whatever and it's just not where we need to be. So there's four linebackers been recruited Raekwon McMillan, Sam Hubbard, Kyle Berger and Dante Booker. Four guys I'm putting pressure on them Coach Fickell and myself to get ready for next year. They have to play for us, in addition to the players we have on our roster already.</p>
<p>So just so everybody knows, there's no redshirt plans for those players at all. We thought about that during the recruiting process.</p>
<p>We want mature players. One thing that's common about all four of those guys they're from very good high school programs. State champion down in, back‑to‑back state champion down in Muller. And have a state champion at Saint Vincent Saint Mary and Raekwon comes from a great high school program down in Georgia. He's on campus right now. Defensive back field is another area we're going through an overhaul right now and that's how do you do that.</p>
<p>You do that with the way we teach, with the way we do things back there but also with some personnel. And very pleased with our recruiting of defensive backs. Damon Webb is a guy‑‑ once again, unless something happens, they're playing. There's no redshirt for these players I'm getting ready to discuss.</p>
<p>Damon Webb, I anticipate he'll be in the depth next year. And Marshon Lattimore from Glennville is going to be in the mix as well. And Erick Smith, he's a guy I'm really excited to get here. Played corner in the all star game but we plan on putting him at safety. And once again immediately in the depth.</p>
<p>Malik Hooker is a guy who only played two years of football. I watched him play basketball and he certainly has the athleticism and size. It's just experience. So he might take a little bit longer, but that's an area obviously that we need to improve. That's the defensive backfield.</p>
<p>Offensive line is an area that performed very well for us a year ago but four players have left. And we plan on moving <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160106/taylor-decker">Taylor Decker</a> to left tackle, and right now <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114105/darryl-baldwin">Darryl Baldwin</a> is penciled in at right tackle and we signed five offensive linemen. Of the five, the two that I see the maturity, Jamarco Jones and Demetrius Knox, are guys that I would like to see. Typically you don't put freshmen in there early, but these guys got mature bodies, and they're fairly mature young men and you have Marcelys Jones and Kyle Trout and Brady Taylor a guy from Columbus, impressive guy. Kind of a late‑comer, he's up to 295 pounds now and a wonderful family, tough guy. I love the guy. I'm really excited‑‑ he might be a guy that gets in, sneaks in the depth fairly quickly as well.</p>
<p>So I'll answer any questions for you.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Urban, two questions. One, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/137990/darius-slay">Darius Slay</a> thing came out of nowhere, can you kind of explain how that happened?</b><br>COACH MEYER: Darius Slay I didn't know much about him or who he was. That's Larry Johnson contact from I guess they've known each other for years and years. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/7370/jared-odrick">Jared Odrick</a> who Larry Johnson coached at Penn State, there's a nephew or something. I think Larry would be a good guy to talk to. <br>I watched film on him. Do we want to take this kid, I'm thinking, sure, I really don't know much about him. That's a Larry Johnsonism.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. We know Chris Ash is in charge of the secondary co‑defensive coordinator who has the ultimate final say in defensive calls and how does that work?</b><br>COACH MEYER: We're going to have those conversations. Right now Luke will. Who has the ultimate say on‑‑ how do I say this? On offense some people would say you need one coordinator. There's certainly one way to go about it. Who has the alternate say on offense.</p>
<p>If someone said Tom Herman I might raise my hand and say I'm not quite sure that's correct at certain times. So Ed Warner at times does. I do. Once again, some people might disagree with that. So Luke Fickell's the defensive coordinator, co‑coordinator when there's third down or some type of pass I want a real strong back end presence and that's what we've got.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. What are your three keys philosophically to improving when you have your coaches, when you send them out, not so much what you're looking for but how to secure guys, what do you say to guys?</b><br>COACH MEYER: It's like how we approach our business here. You're going to hear this‑‑ it's not like‑‑ Shelley is always funny, coaches say the same thing, blah, blah, blah is what she says, but it's relationships, and it is. Zach Smith was a guy that did just okay his first year here. Really the first year and a half.<br>He knocked it out of the park this year. He signed Jalyn Holmes and Johnnie Dixon, and he beat a bunch of high profile schools in different regions. And that was simply for one reason.</p>
<p>The number one reason is the Ohio State brand. The brand is so strong. The number two reason is our relationship. And I see that when I walk in Jalyn Holmes's house and he's on that Facebook or Facetime, whatever that is, he's sitting there talking to Zach Smith's son, I think four‑year‑old son, five‑year‑old kid for five or ten minutes, I knew we were in pretty good shape, if he has a great relationship with Zach's son.</p>
<p>So I usually can walk in because I'm kind of the closer. There they set the ground work. I know where we're headed when I walk in that home. And the number one thing without question is relationships being built.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Follow up real quick. I talked to some BG guys‑‑</b><br>COACH MEYER: BG? <br><b></b><br><b>Q. From 2002, Bowling Green, your first class, how has it evolved from you as far as closing, the whole process?</b><br>COACH MEYER: I think it's probably pretty much the same. I'd be interested to talk to those guys as well. It's pretty much the same. Want me to go after them? We're really honest with them. I made a comment just a minute ago in an interview that some people don't like kids to go on visits. I think kids should go on visits.<br>Jamarco Jones went on a visit at the 11th hour. I don't know if I appreciate that. I would much rather him go on a visit in July or September.</p>
<p>But I will never tell a kid you can't visit. I'd rather them not. And even with Jamarco, I never said you shouldn't do that. He very simply said I want to make sure.</p>
<p>After being on the parent side of two recruiting battles, if someone ever told my kid you can't go visit, that would be not a pleasant conversation, because those kids deserve to go wherever they want to go to school. And so that's I think you asked about the approach. It's a very honest, open approach, come in, see everything we've got. This is the way we do our business. It's not for everybody. And if you want to be a part of it we'd love to have you.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. What are your thoughts on the scholarship reductions being behind you, how much of a limitation was that. Seemed to treat it very well. </b><br>COACH MEYER: We didn't get through it very well. We would have had more safeties. We would have had not special teams issues that we've had over the years. So nine scholarships was a tough deal. <br>You start doing that with the multiplicity of injuries you deal with. We had 13 season‑ending injuries. So we're anxious to move forward.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. I think you guys have might be like two overcome August, how do you plan to be within the framework‑‑</b><br>COACH MEYER: It's not two. It's just something we've got to manage the roster right now and who is coming back for the fifth year, those type of things. And we're dealing with some injury issues right now as well.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Did you hear anything on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114076/christian-bryant">Christian Bryant</a> at all?</b><br>COACH MEYER: Yeah, he's not coming back. Appeal was just recently‑‑ the second appeal‑‑ we appealed it twice. That's one that I was hoping he'd come back.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. What does it mean to you to have a highly ranked class? Obviously you've had three in a row. Two in the top two or three looks like, when it all figures out. Why is that important to you?</b><br>COACH MEYER: Well, I mean, I hear people say it's not important. I disagree. I think it's very‑‑ as long as you're keeping score we're going to try to win. I'm disappointing we weren't the number one recruiting class in the country. Our staff knows we're disappointed about that.</p>
<p>Is that the final end‑all. No, it has really no‑‑ as long as they're going to go keep track of it. And there is a correlation between how teams do where your team is ranked, recruiting class is ranked. But certainly that's not the final product because you've got to coach and develop them and get them here.<br>So actually we do pay attention to that. It's not saying we take a kid who is a five star over a three star, if we believe in the three star. That's not it at all. But I'll start watching it at the end of the recruiting class.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Looks like you literally are going to lean on this class. I mean, last year you talked about some guys you thought could come in and play. Some of them didn't pan out. I don't know how much of a gamble is it, or do you feel like you're gambling a little bit with this class a little bit from that standpoint?</b><br>COACH MEYER: No, we wanted to do it last year. We didn't‑‑ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/204215/gareon-conley">Gareon Conley</a> should have played last year. That's Gareon's fault and our fault, position coach fault, if we're going to sit here and blame, which I'm not blaming. But we're counting on these guys to go play.</p>
<p>What you don't want to do, and I gotta really watch how I present this to our staff. I don't want to have a young man come in and play 12 snaps and lose a year. If we're going to play him, play him but you have to get him ready to go. And the young man has to attack it as if to go get ready. Joey boast is a perfect example came in day one. We know that.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. These guys have played competition tells you they can step up. </b><br>COACH MEYER: Last year we did. Pretty good. That young man, we should have had them ready and has the ability level. I'm not picking on Gareon because Gareon is going to be a fine player. Doing fantastic for you. So we were, if it's the way it turns out, we'll redshirt a very minimal amount of this class.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Last year this time you seemed disappointed with the class you put together on the offensive line, only one showed up, lose the four seniors, did you have to double down your emphasis on getting guys up front for this class?</b><br>COACH MEYER: Who did we sign last year, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/204235/billy-price">Billy Price</a>. Gardner didn't make it. Who was the other one? <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/204241/evan-lisle">Evan Lisle</a>. Last year was a disappointment in the offensive line. We moved Billy over. He's going to play on offense, and he is going to‑‑ I think he'll if not start be right in the depths, Evan Lisle is coming on as well. Kyle Dotson, time to show up and start playing. And Taylor Decker obviously he's starting for us, and we signed five this year so they have to perform.</p>
<p>I'd say two of the five have to be in the depth. And we recruited as such. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. Would this be about the amount that you would normally recruit or was that influenced by last year?</b><br>COACH MEYER: You want 16. You want 16 linemen in your program. And so obviously when we moved Billy Price over, then we only needed five to fill. I think we're at 16 now.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Similar to Tim's question, how can you quantify what happened to them? You look at your staff say won some games today, how much is recruiting, how much is development? </b><br>COACH MEYER: 50/50. That's a great question. I think we won today. I made it clear to our guys, very pleased with their efforts today. That was a good class. <br>I think once again I think it's a great class. Jamarco Jones, that would have been‑‑ that would have been a fake smile in here today if we didn't get him.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. (Indiscernible)?</b><br>COACH MEYER: I don't know. We'll see. I think it very well could be. Best class here? Oh, yeah. I think so. I think so. We'll see. Who knows.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Mentioned a couple times on the radio show today earlier one of you guys had a winning program in high school and the tangibles they bring can you expand on that, what exactly do you look at?</b><br>COACH MEYER: Yeah, I'm going to do a study. We just don't have much time. But the correlation between a young guy playing early and a guy that comes from a championship level program, that means he understands weightlifting and fundamentals of football and winning and the price it takes to go win a game and win a championship. Those guys usually play early.</p>
<p>And you look at Kyle Berger, Ignatius and Dante Booker and Saint Vincent Saint Mary and Raekwon and Hubbard, those are the guys you look for. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. You always talk about wanting to have speed in this class. Where does that come from and are you feeling pretty good?</b><br>COACH MEYER: We're getting close. Curtis Samuel is already on campus. Right now we've <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/204203/ezekiel-elliott">Ezekiel Elliott</a> and Curtis Samuel and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/204195/dontre-wilson">Dontre Wilson</a> are those prototype guys, hybrid type players we're looking for.</p>
<p>Although really Ezekiel is more a pure tailback but Curtis Samuel guy, he's electric fast, to go with Dontre. So we need a couple more. Parris Campbell, should be one of the fastest guys in state of Ohio. 10.5100 meter guy. And we also have to get our speed up but overall offensive skill but we have from where it was two years ago to where it is now much different.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. I want to ask, ever have anything where a coach go through what Tom Herman did?</b><br>COACH MEYER: Tom Herman, that really didn't happen. (Laughter) it was only a four‑hour delay. But Tom likes to blow things up. And it's a fish tale and gets bigger and bigger. No, it was 19 hours. I told him he'll tell the story. Is he going to be able to talk to them? You can let him.</p>
<p>He got‑‑ I get a phone call in the morning. And Mark Dantoni, our recruiting guy, is nervous. I can't get ahold of Gene Smith should he leave the car, what if he leaves the car. I said what are you talking about, 19 hours without food or water he's very delirious right now. I said Tom's always delirious. I called him up and said get a G2. Get a G2 which is a Gatorade and one of those protein bars and get to work, we have to go close Demetrius Knox in Dallas. That's what he did. Obviously I'm being funny, but I've never had a guy go through that. 19 hours in a car stuck in traffic.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Coach, going back to the last two quarterbacks Braxton and Terrell, highly rated guys in the recruiting process. Steven was kind of a guy you hand picked you analyzed himself at camps. What did you see with him that made you confident in making him a quarterback in this class and what is it about him that (indiscernible)?</b><br>COACH MEYER: He's a development guy a little bit. He's a guy that came in. Incredible character guy. Great size. He's here on campus already. Very nice release.</p>
<p>He's gotta grow into the position. He's not like you said the Terrell or the Braxton. But Alex Smith wasn't either. So we saw a lot of attributes to him we thought could turn into a very good player for us, that's why we took him.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Nice to get them into camp and just watch them and see?</b><br>COACH MEYER: You have to at quarterback. And a couple of kids even in state would come‑‑ it's almost like a rule. We need to see you throw a football to take you. And nowadays kids are committing so early, sometimes you don't get that opportunity.</p>
<p>So we've had to adjust our philosophy a little bit, because that was a rule. I remember when we recruited <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10166/tim-tebow">Tim Tebow</a> at Florida.</p>
<p>Are you going to offer him? Yeah, we're going to offer him but I need to see you at camp. I'm not coming to camp, I'm not going to offer you. You get in those kind of conversations. Recruiting has moved up so far now.</p>
<p>Sometimes we're going to have to adjust, because we're offering quarterbacks now that I don't see throw, and I've never done that before in our career. But you have to, because early offers are out. There's already kids offered right now for next year, which at that position you'd like to have them on camp, in camp. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. You talk about the principle of alignment. You introduced two new coaches today. How much of that has to be pleasant at the start and how much is that something you work on?</b><br>COACH MEYER: I think you said alignment? That's a great question. (Lost audio) .<br>And the good thing is they came from programs that are very similar the way we do it. They follow the rules, they do the things the right way. Premium placed on academics and we call power of the unit. And that's kind of the way they were raised in the coaching profession.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Does that principle apply to players as well, and if so how do you ensure that‑‑</b><br>COACH MEYER: You can't ensure that. They're 18 years old. You're relying on high school coach's recommendations and to answer your question certainly it is expected in recruiting as well. It's much more difficult just who you're dealing with.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. You talked about wanting to win on a day like this. You guys just played Michigan State on the field, the big time title game. Is it magnified at all when you're competing with teams like that for guys, obviously Jamarco and Darius Slay, all the guys, does that magnify the competition?</b><br>COACH MEYER: I think the school you just mentioned, they're real, and I think they've always been real. But I think they're more nose to nose with them quite often in recruiting, if that's your question. I've got a lot of respect for the way they do their business and that's an adversary. That's one of our teams we're nose to nose with right now in recruiting. We don't win them all because I know we lost a couple, too. But that's a real battle right now. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. You talked about‑‑ the changes you're making on defense, with having two new coaches in, you had two coaches leave, did you think you needed new voices, that you needed to make those changes?</b><br>COACH MEYER: I think so. I think so. I have a lot of confidence in the coaches that were here. And obviously we didn't perform up to standard. We won a lot of games but there were some holes. Holes very easy to blame players or blame coaches. Just overall we need to freshen up our defense. That's what's going to get ready to take place over the next few months.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. We haven't talked about Braxton at all. Were you ever worried that‑‑ did you ever think it was a possibility that he would leave for the NFL?</b><br>COACH MEYER: Sure.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. What was the discussion like when he decided to come back for his senior year?</b><br>COACH MEYER: It wasn't very long. And his father, who is doing much better health issues he was dealing with, but Braxton and I have a very good relationship. And we waited until after the game. And I told him my opinion that he could become a very high Draft pick if he continues to improve, and he said that's what I thought. It wasn't much more than that. We met together as a family. Had a very positive conversation and made the decision. Never at one time do you say what should I do, because I wouldn't tell him. That's their business. But I gave my opinion as far as how much more he could grow as a quarterback. <br><strong></strong><br><strong>FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports</strong></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5384070/national-signing-day-2014-urban-meyer-press-conference-ohio-stateLuke Zimmermann2014-02-05T17:45:14-05:002014-02-05T17:45:14-05:00Final 2014 Big Ten recruiting rankings
<figure>
<img alt="Ohio State signed the Big Ten's best class for the third straight year" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7r17z3jXkHn_ZnXgKES6U8RYBHI=/0x3:465x313/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28076783/134223367.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ohio State signed the Big Ten's best class for the third straight year | Jamie Sabau</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We rank the recruiting classes all of the Big Ten schools signed today.</p> <p>Now that National Signing Day 2014 has come and gone, it's time to start evaluating the players that were brought in by the 14 schools who will make up the Big Ten conference next fall.</p>
<p>One thing that's pretty clear is that the Big Ten isn't recruiting on the level of the SEC, Pac-12, or even the Big 12. This is something that will need to improve if the conference wants to be more respected on the national stage like it was at one point in time.</p>
<p>Conference strength aside, below are our final team Big Ten recruiting rankings. Taken into account will be the overall quality of talent brought in, upside, and to some extent- the quantity of recruits the schools brought in.</p>
<p>With out further adieu, the <i>Land-Grant Holy Land</i> Big Ten recruiting rankings:</p>
<h3>14. Purdue</h3>
<p>Purdue struggled through an awful 2013 football season and their 2014 recruiting class isn't going to make their team's situation any better. They failed to land a four-star prospect and don't really have any commits that jump off the page. The strong points of their class are the couple of decent defensive backs, defensive linemen, and a guy who could be a good quarterback in <b>David Blough</b>, who's already started classes in West Lafayette, but Darrell Hazell will definitely need to step things up if he wants to make Purdue relevant once again.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: DE <b>Gelen Robinson</b>, CB <b>Timothy Cason II</b>, S <b>Cedric Dale</b></p>
<h3>13. Illinois</h3>
<p>The Fighting Illini didn't show much "fight" on the recruiting trail this year as head coach Tim Beckman brought home another underwhelming recruiting class. They were able bring in one top-notch recruit in the form for massive 6'7, 290-pound junior college defensive linemen <b>Jihad Ward</b>. In addition to Ward, they brought in a good junior college wideout in <b>Tyrin Stone-Davis</b>, Ohio native quarterback <b>Chayce Crouch</b>, and a few others who could be contributors somewhere down the road.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: WR <b>Geronimo Allison</b>, WR<b> Mike Dudek </b></p>
<h3>12. Rutgers</h3>
<p>A once quality recruiting class had its bottom fall out as the Scarlet Knights saw many defections from the class over the past couple of months. Kyle Flood's long term future in Piscataway is an unknown, but he'll be a Big Ten head coach, if but for a season. There are a few solid prospects in the class including the likes of running back <b>Robert Martin</b>, early enrollee offensive tackle <b>Marcus Appiefield</b>, and linebacker<b> Justin Nelson</b>. They'll need to step up their recruiting game in a big way in order to compete for Big Ten titles.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: RB <b>Josh Hicks</b>, OT <b>Tariq Cole</b></p>
<h3>11. Minnesota</h3>
<p>After years of being a cellar dweller in the Big Ten, the Golden Gophers had a solid year in 2013 and also saw a slight improvement on the recruiting trail. Running back <b>Jeff Jones </b>is definitely the crown jewel of their class and has the ability to star from day one and compete for all -ig Ten and All-American honors down the road. They also scored a commitment from promising quarterback <b>Dimonic McKinzy</b> and wide receiver <b>Melvin Holland Jr.</b></p>
<p><b></b>Other notable signees: TE <b>Gaelin Elmore</b>, C <b>Connor Mayes</b>, DE <b>Andrew Stelter </b></p>
<h3>10. Iowa</h3>
<p>Kirk Ferentz and company didn't turn in a great recruiting class, but they were able to land a decent one, led by quarterback <b>Tyler Wiegers</b>, who I think will be very good in their offense. Other players I really like in their class are athlete <b>Jay Scheel</b>, who will probably be a wide receiver, massive tight end <b>Matt Nelson</b>, and runnings backs <b>Markel Smith</b> and <b>CJ Hilliard</b>.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: OT <b>Lucas LeGrand</b>, DE <b>Torey Hendrick</b>, CB <b>Jalen Embry </b></p>
<h3>9. Indiana</h3>
<p>Kevin Wilson has turned the Hoosiers into a better team on the football field and has also upped their force in the recruiting world. They landed a couple of very solid prospects in their class, led by wide receiver<b> Dominique Booth</b>. In addition to Booth, they landed linebacker <b>Tegray Scales</b>, who I think will be a good player, defensive back <b>Will Dawkins</b>, running back<b> Devine Redding</b>, and promising athlete <b>Tommy Mister</b>.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: TE <b>Jordan Fuchs</b>, DT<b> Mike Barwick</b></p>
<h3>8. Northwestern</h3>
<p>I'm very impressed with the recruiting job Pat Fitzgerald and his staff were able to do in the 2014 recruiting cycle. They were able to land a couple of impact recruits including the likes of cornerback <b>Parrker Westphal</b>, quarterback <b>Clayton Thorson – </b>who has the potential to be very good – speedy running back <b>Justin Jackson</b>, and defensive end/tight end <b>Garrett Dickerson, </b>who I really like on offense.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: RB <b>Auston Anderson</b>, OT <b>Tommy Doles</b>, DT<b> Fred Wyatt</b>, LB <b>Cam Queiro </b></p>
<h3>7. Maryland</h3>
<p>I'm probably higher on the Terrapins' recruiting class then mostly, but the big thing they were able to do is land a few blue-chippers who can have a big impact from day one on campus. Their class is led by five-star offensive tackle <b>Damian Prince</b>. They've also received letters of intent from Fork Union Military Academy offensive tackle <b>Derwin Gray</b>, offensive tackle <b>Larry Mazyck</b>, defensive end <b>Jesse Aniebonam</b>, and future quarterback <b>William Ulmer</b>.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: OT<b> Brendan Moore</b>, DE <b>Tyler Burke</b>, CB <b>Daniel Ezeagwu</b>, ATH<b> Juwann Winfree</b></p>
<h3>6. Nebraska</h3>
<p>Bo Pelini and his staff didn't add any "great" prospects to their team, but they sure did a good job of getting some good ones. The guy who I think could have the biggest impact down the road is quarterback <b>Zach Darlington</b>, running back <b>Mikale Wilbon</b>, who I'm very high on and fits their system like a glove, defensive tackle <b>Joe Keels</b>, and a pair of solid offensive linemen in <b>Tanner Farmer</b> and <b>Nick Gates</b>.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: WR <b>Monte Harrison</b>, OG <b>D.J. Foster</b>, DT <b>Peyton Newell</b>, ATH <b>Demornay Pierson-El</b></p>
<h3>5. Wisconsin</h3>
<p>The Badgers landed another very solid recruiting class under Gary Andersen, which is headlined by offensive tackle <b>Jaden Gault</b>, who I think will be the next great Wisconsin offensive linemen. They also landed a good future quarterback in <b>D.J. Gillens</b>, jack-of-all-trades athlete <b>Dareian Watkins</b>, system running back, <b>Taiwan Deal</b>, and a very good defensive end in <b>Connor Sheehy</b>.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: RB <b>Caleb Kinlaw</b>, WR<b> Krenwick Sanders</b>, OG<b> George Panos</b>, DE <b>Billy Hirschfeld</b></p>
<h3></h3>
<h3>4. Michigan State</h3>
<p>Sparty had a middle-of-the-pack class heading into the day, but they landed two huge commitments in the form of five-star defensive end <b>Malik McDowell </b>and safety <b>T.J. Harrell</b> in order to finish in the top five of our rankings. Other top talents the Spartans signed include defensive tackle <b>Craig Evans</b>, safety <b>Montae Nicholson</b>, and center <b>Brian Allen</b>. Thanks in part to success on the football field, Michigan State finishes with its best recruiting class in years.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: RB <b>Vayante Copeland</b>, DE <b>Enoch Smith Jr.</b>, LB <b>Deon Drake</b>, ATH <b>Byron Bullough</b></p>
<h3>3. Penn State</h3>
<p>Penn State lost top commit <b>Thomas Holley</b> following the departure of Bill O'Brien, but they've been on a recruiting roll ever since James Franklin took over in Happy Valley. Their class is led by former Rutgers wide receiver commit <b>Saeed Blacknall</b>, fellow wide receiver <b>Chris Goodwin</b>, freak-athlete tight end <b>Mike Gesicki</b>, promising quarterback <b>Michael O'Connor</b>, defensive tackle <b>Antoine White</b>, and safety <b>Marcus Allen</b>.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: RB <b>Johnathan Thomas</b>, WR <b>De'Andre Thompkins</b>, DT <b>Tarow Barney</b>, LB <b>Troy Reeder</b>, S <b>Koa Farmer</b>, ATH <b>Nick Scott</b></p>
<h3>2. Michigan</h3>
<p>Brady Hoke and the Wolverines continue to be one of the two Big Ten teams with the ability to pull in elite prospects. The best player in their class is definitely cornerback <b>Jabrill Peppers</b>, who is an absolute stud and will probably make an impact starting next year. In addition to Peppers, they were able to add standout wide receiver <b>Drake Harris</b>, an excellent offensive tackle in <b>Mason Cole</b>, <b>Bryan Mone</b>, who is one of the best defensive linemen in the class, standout linebacker<b> Michael Ferns</b>, and future quarterback <b>Wilton Speight</b>.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: TE <b>Ian Bunting</b>, OT <b>Juwann Bushell-Beatty</b>, DE <b>Lawrence Marshall</b>, LB Chase Winovich, LB <b>Noah Furbush</b></p>
<h3>1. Ohio State</h3>
<p>Urban Meyer's third recruiting class speaks for itself. It's loaded with elite talents including the likes of star linebackers <b>Raekwon McMillan</b> and <b>Dante Booker Jr.</b> Then you have one of, if not the best class of defensive backs in <b>Damon Webb</b>, <b>Marshon Lattimore</b>, <b>Erick Smith</b>, and the underrated <b>Malik Hooker</b>. Throw in offensive weapons <b>Johnnie Dixon</b>, <b>Curtis Samuel</b>, <b>Jamarco Jones</b>, and <b>Demetrius Knox</b> and you have the Big Ten's best recruiting class – it's honestly not really even close.</p>
<p>Other notable signees: QB <b>Stephen Collier</b>, DE <b>Jalyn Homes</b>, LB <b>Kyle Berger</b>, LB <b>Sam Hubbard</b>, ATH <b>Parris Campbell</b>, ATH <b>Noah Brown</b></p>
<p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css"></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5380952/big-ten-football-rankings-national-signing-day-results-recapMiles Joseph2014-02-05T15:01:24-05:002014-02-05T15:01:24-05:00Meet The Dream '14: Ohio State's next great class
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/InkpYR0iN9XbDfEXquYIHvZ1GfY=/0x0:3264x2176/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28128879/national-letter-of-intent.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>The Dream '14</p> <div style="background-image: url('http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3962459/marcelys-jones.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Marcelys Jones - Offensive Lineman</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'5</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 340 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Glenville (Cleveland, OH)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/1/13/5277240/marcelys-jones-ohio-state-recruiting-class-of-2014" target="_new">Get to know Marcelys Jones</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: U.S. Army</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3962467/damon-webb.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Damon Webb - Cornerback</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 5'11</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 180 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Cass Technical (Detroit, MI)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/15/5396956/damon-webb-ohio-state-recruiting-class-of-2014" target="_new">Get to know Damon Webb</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: U.S. Army</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3962411/kyle-trout.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Kyle Trout - Offensive Lineman</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'6</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 300 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Lancaster (Lancaster, OH)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/1/16/5311672/kyle-trout-ohio-state-recruiting-class-of-2014" target="_new">Get to know Kyle Trout</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Student Sports</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3962491/parris-campbell.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Parris Campbell - Wide Receiver</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'1</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 184 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, OH)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5321344/parris-campbell-jr-commits-ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014" target="_new">Read more on Parris Campbell</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Student Sports</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3962531/dylan-thompson.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Dylan Thompson - Defensive Lineman</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'5</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 270 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Montini Catholic (Lombardi, IL)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5308704/national-signing-day-2014-dylan-thompson-commits-ohio-state" target="_new">Read more on Dylan Thompson</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Student Sports</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3962555/sam-hubbard.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Sam Hubbard - Linebacker</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'6</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 230 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, OH)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5324348/national-signing-day-2014-sam-hubbard-signs-with-ohio-state" target="_new">Read more on Sam Hubbard</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Sam Hubbard</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3962603/kyle-berger.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Kyle Berger - Linebacker</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'2</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 225 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5315388/kyle-berger-commits-ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014" target="_new">Read more on Kyle Berger</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Student Sports</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3962635/dante-booker-jr.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Dante Booker - Linebacker</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'3</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 215 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, OH)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5308834/dante-booker-jr-commits-ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014" target="_new">Read more on Dante Booker</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: U.S. Army</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3962643/sean-nuernberger.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Sean Nuernberger - Kicker</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'1</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 235 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Oldham County (Buckner, KY)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/1/20/5327550/sean-nuernberger-ohio-state-recruiting-class-of-2014" target="_new">Get to know Sean Nuernberger</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: One on One Kicking</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3962659/jayln-holmes.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Jalyn Holmes - Defensive Lineman</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'5</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 240 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Lake Taylor (Norfolk, VA)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5313988/jalyn-holmes-commits-ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014" target="_new">Read more on Jalyn Holmes</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: U.S. Army</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3962727/stephen-collier.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Stephen Collier - Quarterback</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'3</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 210 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Lee County (Leesburg, GA)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/1/23/5335866/stephen-collier-ohio-state-recruiting-class-of-2014" target="_new">Get to know Stephen Collier</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Student Sports</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3962763/terry-mclaurin.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Terry McLaurin - Wide Receiver</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'0</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 190 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Cathedral (Indianapolis, IN)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5313692/national-signing-day-2014-terry-mclaurin-commits-ohio-state" target="_new">Read more on Terry McLaurin</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Student Sports</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3962787/jamarco-jones.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Jamarco Jones - Offensive Lineman</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'5</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 315 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> De La Salle (Chicago, IL)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5308438/jamarco-jones-commits-ohio-state-michigan-state-national-signing-day-2014" target="_new">Read more on Jamarco Jones</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Jamarco Jones</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3962803/demetrius-knox.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Demetrius Knox - Offensive Lineman</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'4</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 285 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> All Saints Episcopal (Fort Worth, TX)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5321340/demetrius-knox-commits-ohio-state-ucla-texas-national-signing-day-2014" target="_new">Read more on Demetrius Knox</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Student Sports</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3962819/malik-hooker.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Malik Hooker - Safety</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'2</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 190 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> New Castle (New Castle, PA)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5321348/national-signing-day-2014-malik-hooker-commits-ohio-state" target="_new">Read more on Malik Hooker</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: New Castle</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3962971/curtis-samuel.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Curtis Samuel - Running Back/Wide Receiver</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 5'11</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 185 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, NY)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/2/5353790/curtis-samuel-ohio-state-recruiting-class-of-2014" target="_new">Get to know Curtis Samuel</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: U.S. Army</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3962955/noah-brown.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Noah Brown - Wide Receiver</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'2</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 225 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Pope John XXIII (Sparta, NJ)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5315342/noah-brown-commits-ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014" target="_new">Read more on Noah Brown</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Student Sports</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3963027/raekwon-mcmillan.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Raekwon McMillan - Linebacker</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'2</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 242 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Liberty County (Hinesville, GA)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/3/5353048/raekwon-mcmillan-ohio-state-recruiting-class-of-2014" target="_new">Get to know Raekwon McMillan</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: Raekwon McMillan</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3963051/johnnie-dixon.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Johnnie Dixon - Wide Receiver</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 5'11</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 195 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Dwyer (West Palm Beach, FL)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/4/5363992/johnnie-dixon-2014-ohio-state-football-player-profiles" target="_new">Get to know Johnnie Dixon</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: U.S. Army</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3963115/erick-smith.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Erick Smith - Safety</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'1</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 195 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Glenville (Cleveland, OH)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5309374/erick-smith-commits-ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014" target="_new">Read more on Erick Smith</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: U.S. Army</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3963171/marshon-lattimore.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Marshon Lattimore - Cornerback</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'0</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 180 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Glenville (Cleveland, OH)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5309212/marshon-lattimore-commits-ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014" target="_new">Read more on Marshon Lattimore</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: U.S. Army</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3963235/brady-taylor.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Brady Taylor - Offensive Lineman</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'5</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 290 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Bishop Ready (Columbus, OH)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5373208/national-signing-day-2014-brady-taylor-commits-ohio-state" target="_new">Read more on Brady Taylor</a></h3>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: WBNS-10TV</em>
</div>
<div style="background-image: url('http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3964301/darius-slade.jpg');" class="super-wrap first">
<div class="inner">
<h1>Darius Slade - Defensive Lineman</h1>
<p><strong>Ht:</strong> 6'5</p>
<p><strong>Wt:</strong> 240 pounds</p>
<p><strong>High school:</strong> Montclair (Montclair, NJ)</p>
<p><strong>247Composite:</strong> ★★★</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5382944/national-signing-day-2014-darius-slade-commits-ohio-state-michigan-state" target="_new">Read more on Darius Slade</a></h3>
</div>
<div class="social">
<ul>
<li class="twitter -font-symbolset-social"><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Ohio+State+National+Signing+Day+2014:+The+Dream+14&url=http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5383268/ohio-state-football-national-signing-day-results-recap&via=Landgrant33" class="entypo-twitter">twitter</a></li>
<li class="-font-symbolset-social"><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'height=279,width=575'); return false;" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5383268/ohio-state-football-national-signing-day-results-recap" class="entypo-facebook">facebook</a></li>
<li class="gplus -font-symbolset-social"><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'height=279,width=575'); return false;" href="https://plus.google.com/share?url=http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5383268/ohio-state-football-national-signing-day-results-recap" class="entypo-gplus">googleplus</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<em class="caption">Photo Credit: 247Sports</em>
</div>
<div class="credit">
<strong>Producer:</strong> <a target="new" href="https://twitter.com/lukezim">Luke Zimmermann</a> | <strong>Executive Producer:</strong> <a target="new" href="https://twitter.com/zohf">Josh Laincz</a>
</div>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5383268/ohio-state-football-national-signing-day-results-recapLuke Zimmermann2014-02-05T13:53:12-05:002014-02-05T13:53:12-05:00Darius Slade signs NLOI with Ohio State
<figure>
<img alt="The one time Nebraska pledge will be a Buckeye." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4VQREz2wcdkr9LFLK32OHWRHLi4=/0x0:1024x683/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28124387/xnc35sp.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The one time Nebraska pledge will be a Buckeye.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As first reported by Stephen Spiewak, Darius Slade has signed with Ohio State and joins the Buckeyes' 2014 recruiting class.</p> <p>
<style>
.m-lghl-2014-national-signing-day-recap {
display: block;
width: 100%;
}
.m-lghl-2014-national-signing-day-recap img {
max-width: 100%;
}
</style>
<a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5383268/ohio-state-football-national-signing-day-results-recap" class="m-lghl-2014-national-signing-day-recap"> <img alt="Land-Grant Holy Land's Ohio State 2014 National Signing Day Coverage" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3964983/ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014-recap.jpg"></a></p>
<p class="has-dropcap">After announcing earlier that he would visit Ohio State, one-time Nebraska and Michigan State commit <b>Darius Slade</b> has signed with Ohio State, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Spiewak/status/431133167366316032">as first reported by Stephen Spiewak</a>, who spoke with Slade's head coach. 247Sports' <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SWiltfong247/status/431137298051125248">Steve Wiltfong </a>and others ultimately confirmed the inevitability of Slade joining Ohio State's 2014 class as well, before Ohio State finally confirmed the news before Urban Meyer's 3 p.m. ET presser.</p>
<p>Having a great relationship with newly hired defensive line coach Larry Johnson played a huge role in Slade receiving an offer from the Ohio State coaching staff just weeks ago.</p>
<p>In Slade, Ohio State adds another New Jersey prospect, this one from Montclair. The strong-side defensive end checks in at 6'5, 238 pounds. Slade is the 873rd-ranked player in the class of 2014 per the 247Composite rankings, the 40th strong-side defensive end, and the 24th-best player from the state of New Jersey.</p>
<p>Our Christopher Jason watched tape of Slade and had this to say on the final prospect in OSU's 2014 class:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><quote>Slade has good size for a pass-rushing defensive end at 6'5, 238 lbs. He explodes off of the line of scrimmage but he needs to keep his pad level lower on contact. Slade will be a redshirt candidate with definite pass-rushing upside after getting the proper coaching and technique down from expert line coach Larry Johnson </quote></p>
</blockquote>
<p>A three-star prospect, Slade is just another of the great talents Ohio State welcomes to the Dream '14. Check out his senior film below:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KK5sFty6kh0" height="390" width="640"></iframe></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5382944/national-signing-day-2014-darius-slade-commits-ohio-state-michigan-stateCharles Doss2014-02-05T10:28:22-05:002014-02-05T10:28:22-05:00LB Kyle Berger signs letter of intent with OSU
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YxmPnycsSOiJeQ6j738bIDioGM0=/0x75:720x555/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27004831/berger.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>After first having some technical difficulties, Cleveland St. Ignatius linebacker Kyle Berger has faxed in his National Letter of Intent to the Ohio State coaching staff, officially making him a Buckeye football player. </p> <p>
<style>
.m-lghl-2014-national-signing-day-recap {
display: block;
width: 100%;
}
.m-lghl-2014-national-signing-day-recap img {
max-width: 100%;
}
</style><a class="m-lghl-2014-national-signing-day-recap" href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5383268/ohio-state-football-national-signing-day-results-recap"> <img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3964983/ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014-recap.jpg" alt="Land-Grant Holy Land's Ohio State 2014 National Signing Day Coverage"></a></p>
<p class="has-dropcap">The future of the Ohio State program is taking a huge step in the right direction of college football dominance today with members of the Dream '14 signing their National Letter of Intents, officially making them Buckeye football players.</p>
<p><b> Kyle Berger</b> has finally faxed all his paperwork in to the coaching staff, making him one step closer to running out onto the Ohio Stadium turf on Saturday afternoons.</p>
<p>The Cleveland St. Ignatius linebacker missed his entire senior season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a scrimmage against Canton McKinley and class of 2015 Ohio State commit <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/8/25/4574828/eric-glover-williams-commits-to-ohio-state">Eric Glover-Williams</a> </b>last summer. The injury took place when Kyle came to an abrupt stop while in pursuit of a tackle on the shifty Glover-Williams.</p>
<p>After going through months of rehab, Berger should be ready to participate in all drills when he reaches Columbus in the summer.</p>
<p>As a junior for St. Ignatius, Berger finished the season with 105 tackles and 10 sacks. He was named third-team All-Ohio and picked up scholarship offers from the likes of Arkansas, Boston College, Cincinnati, Michigan, Tennessee, Michigan State, and Georgia Tech before committing to Ohio State in April of 2013.</p>
<p>Our own Christopher Jason had a chance to dissect Berger's tape and had this to say about the linebacker:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Berger is a throwback outside linebacker who is very solid against the run and isn't afraid to get dirty along the line of scrimmage. Playing outside linebacker on the line of scrimmage, Berger was aggressive against run blockers and never took a play off. He also possesses excellent sideline-to-sideline speed and takes great pursuit angles when runs would go the other way. Berger tore his ACL in late August and I would suspect that he will be redshirted this season to get back into shape and gain back muscle mass.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Here are some highlights from his junior campaign:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fw8T7awx4g4" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5315388/kyle-berger-commits-ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014Charles Doss2014-02-05T10:25:22-05:002014-02-05T10:25:22-05:00Jamarco Jones signs letter of intent with OSU
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Re5ExML91rwHBW1KZjSw2KiM9Gs=/1x0:717x477/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26825965/jones.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>Despite getting stuck in the snow earlier in the day, offensive tackle Jamarco Jones is officially a member of the Ohio State football team after signing and faxing in his National Letter of Intent with the Buckeyes.</p> <p>
<style>
.m-lghl-2014-national-signing-day-recap {
display: block;
width: 100%;
}
.m-lghl-2014-national-signing-day-recap img {
max-width: 100%;
}
</style><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5383268/ohio-state-football-national-signing-day-results-recap" class="m-lghl-2014-national-signing-day-recap"> <img alt="Land-Grant Holy Land's Ohio State 2014 National Signing Day Coverage" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3964983/ohio-state-national-signing-day-2014-recap.jpg"></a></p>
<p class="has-dropcap">Four-star offensive tackle<b> Jamarco Jones</b> is one step closer to suiting up for the Ohio State Buckeyes after signing and faxing in his National Letter of Intent this morning. The 6'5, 290-pound lineman out of Chicago's De La Salle Institute committed to the Buckeyes in June over a long list of scholarship offers that included programs such as Michigan, Michigan State, Arkansas, Florida State and Notre Dame to name a few.</p>
<p>Even after missing over half of his senior season at De La Salle with a shoulder injury, Jones joined future teammate and OSU early enrollee <b>Raekwon McMillan</b> in participating in last month's annual Under Armour All-America Game, which included many of the top recruits from the class of 2014.</p>
<p>SB Nation recruiting analyst <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2014/1/14/5237036/jamarco-jones-recruiting-ohio-state-scouting-report">Bud Elliott recently broke down</a> what the Buckeyes could expect out of Jones when he hits the field next season:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"There is a lot to like about Jamarco Jones. As with any lineman, the first thing to evaluate is size. Jones is very well put together at close to 6'5 and 300 pounds, although I am not sure if he has great length.</i></p>
<p><i>Jones is able to bend his knees and drop his weight into a block, as opposed to bending at the waist. I also like that Jones will move his feet through initial contact and finish off his opponent. He isn't satisfied with simply making a block. After talking with him this summer and finding him to be a nice, laid-back kid, I was glad to see that he turns on the nasty between the white lines."</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Our Christopher Jason also took a look at Jones' tape, and had this to say about the offensive lineman:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Jones could add a little bulk to his already large frame, but his size is ideal to play tackle at Ohio State. Jones finishes his blocks and drives his opponent into the ground on the regular. He gets low on smaller players and uses his leg strength to drive defenders in the run game. He has basic pass pro-technique down and will eventually be a starter at tackle for the Buckeyes.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>See the damage Jones caused to defensive lineman across the Windy City with these highlights:</p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jMDraR1w0fQ" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5308438/jamarco-jones-commits-ohio-state-michigan-state-national-signing-day-2014Charles Doss2014-02-05T10:12:29-05:002014-02-05T10:12:29-05:00Roderick Johnson commits to Florida State over Ohio State<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/5145335">Roderick Johnson commits to Florida&nbsp;State over Ohio State</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Offensive tackle Roderick Johnson committed to Florida State over Ohio State a few minutes ago. He has long been considered a Seminole lean, but took an official to Columbus a few weeks ago and had the Buckeyes in his final two. He's an awesome pickup for the national champions.</p></p></div>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5381968/roderick-johnson-commits-to-florida-state-over-ohio-stateMiles Joseph2014-02-05T09:55:39-05:002014-02-05T09:55:39-05:00Malik McDowell picks MSU over OSU, FSU
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DqFOtfpHHwbcpUsaF3Sc9iOoAMg=/0x239:825x789/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28083247/mm.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>SB Nation</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Five star defensive end Malik McDowell commits to Michigan State, over the Buckeyes and Seminoles of Florida State. </p> <p>The Dream '14 just missed out on adding another key piece to the class, as <b>Malik McDowell</b> decided to roll with the Spartans of Michigan State.</p>
<p>Malik who had scholarship offers from just about every major college program under the sun chose MSU over the Buckeyes, Florida State and Michigan after officially visiting Columbus over the weekend with his parents.</p>
<p>His mother had spoken out against McDowell going to Michigan State on Detroit sports talk radio yesterday stating that in her estimation McDowell just wanted to go somewhere where he was "comfortable" and also spoke to him "not being mature enough to make this decision". Before today's ceremony, his father said he'd support his son wherever he wanted to go after previously saying he wanted McDowell out of the state.</p>
<p>After transferring from Detroit's Loyola High, McDowell, one of the top defensive lineman and overall recruits in the class of 2014 was selected as a Army All-American after a stellar senior season at Southfield High School.</p>
<p>The 6'7 290-pound McDowell finished the year with 89 total tackles, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, helping lead Southfield to an overall record of 7-3 and a playoff birth, alongside one time OSU commit and now future Wolverine <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/2/13/3987156/lawrence-marshall-decommits-from-ohio-state" style="font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;">Lawrence Marshall</a> </b>and a cast of other future division one football players.</p>
<p>Recruiting Analyst <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2013/12/29/5236010/malik-mcdowell-recruit-scouting-report-versatile-and-huge-defensive">Derrell Warren recently took the time to break down </a>the newest Spartan for SB Nation and had the following to say on the five star standout:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"There is no other way to put it-- McDowell is quite literally a huge recruit. Currently listed at 6-7 290 pounds, McDowell has tremendous growth potential considering his upper body is not quite as developed as his lower half and thus can add bulk after a bit of reshaping.</i></p>
<p><i>Going over tape of McDowell's final two high school seasons; his snap anticipation is improved, however it's still inconsistent. That said, his burst through the neutral zone is very impressive for a player of his size.</i></p>
<p><i>Lined up at defensive tackle, McDowell has a really good quick swim move to the inside. You see him use that several times to penetrate the backfield and bring down ball carriers running into the opposite A-gap. He has a huge trunk area but has room up top to add good weight, and actually has a body type more similar to that of a left tackle.</i></p>
<p><i>At this stage, McDowell is more of a waist bender. He plays way too high out of his stance and doesn't shoot his hands out to protect his frame as often as you'd like. These are coachable points, however. Once he starts playing with a lower center of gravity, his natural girth and lower body strength will better allow him to anchor versus the run.</i></p>
<p><i>On tape, McDowell is more disruptive operating on the interior than he is at defensive end. There he displays good vision and tracks the ball well, often times making plays well out of his playing area. This is also a testament to his motor. He spends lot of snaps lined up either as a one tech shade nose guard or two technique defensive tackle.</i></p>
<p><i>Out on the edge, McDowell has obvious natural power. However, it's questionable as to whether he has the hips to pivot around the edge, the body lean and then explosiveness to be an effective pass rusher lined up that many body lengths away from the ball.</i></p>
<p><i>Ultimately, McDowell is a recruit with plenty of size and traits that translate well to the next level. He'll need to have some of the technical flaws coaches out f his game, but when that happens, he figures to develop into a exceptional performer."</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>As if that wasn't enough, our own Christopher Jason took a look at McDowell's tape and came away with this:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"McDowell is a big-bodied defensive lineman whose motor never stops. He has long arms that create separation with offensive lineman and fights through blocks well. He is very quick for his size, as he gets sideline to sideline rather quickly. I could see him gaining more weight onto his 6'7 frame, becoming even more stout against the run and more violent against opposing offensive linemen. McDowell is a beast and depending on injuries across the defensive line, he could get into the rotation."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>If you haven't already, take a few minutes to check out these highlights of Malik McDowell in action:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3a2upx4Dzv4" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/2/5/5381416/malik-mcdowell-commits-to-michigan-state-over-ohio-state-fsuCharles Doss