Another talented recruiting class has OSU on top of rankings

It isn't just the quantity that has the recruiting experts shaking their heads in amazement. It's the quality.

Almost seven months before signing day, Ohio State has 24 commitments. Rivals.com gives four stars or higher to 17 of the 24. The other seven are all three-star recruits.

"Jim Tressel has always done a tremendous job of recruiting early," said Jeremy Crabtree, Rivals.com national recruiting expert.

The 2009 Ohio State class is getting some help from the last signee in 2008. Superstar quarterback Terrelle Pryor made Columbus the place to be for top prospects.

"Landing the nation's No. 1 player and the success they've had on the field, it's a perfect storm for them right now," Crabtree said. "They are able to pick and choose the kids they want in state and able to go out and recruit nationally. Their class is tremendous right now. It's hard to put into words how good it is.

"They knew they were going to have a big class this year and they attacked it early."

The Buckeyes have the nation's top recruiting class today and Crabtree thinks it could remain that way on signing day.

"We have to see what the USCs and the Floridas of the world do," Crabtree said.

There are no guarantees. Players get hurt, change their minds or develop at a slower pace than expected. For every five-star who wins the Heisman Trophy, there is another one transferring to Division II.

Ohio State's 24 commitments are the most in the Big Ten. Penn State is next with 15 and Michigan is third with 12.

With the recent additions of Thornton running back Steve Fuller, Cincinnati Sycamore receiver Steve Hull and Washington H.D. Woodson cornerback Joelil Thrash, Illinois has five commitments.

Crabtree said he expects Ron Zook to land another top class in 2009. Illinois has been among the top 30 the past three years.

"Illinois is fine," Crabtree said. "Ron Zook and his staff are too talented of recruiters to have any issues."

Crabtree likes Zook's "hands on approach" to recruiting.

"He goes out there and actively takes an interest in every single little facet when it comes to recruiting," Crabtree said. "It's the little things that help a program become a recruiting power."

Crabtree thinks Illinois will remain a force in Big Ten recruiting as long as it continues to perform well in Illinois, Ohio, Washington, D.C., and Florida.

"They've got all the ducks in line," Crabtree said.

Rivals.com just released its Illinois Top 30 prospects and the Illini have three of the top 15. With a chance for more.

Top prospect Chris Watt, an offensive lineman from Glenbard West, lists Illinois among the schools he is considering. So does No. 2 Kraig Appleton, a receiver from East St. Louis, and No. 3 Craig Drummond, a defensive end from Chicago Morgan Park. East St. Louis receiver Terry Hawthorne, the No. 4-rated prospect in the state, lists high interest in Illinois.

The quantity of early commitments at Ohio State will help the rest of the Big Ten, Crabtree said. The Buckeyes are basically full, so schools won't have to worry much about running into Tressel and his staff.

"Having Ohio State off the board already allows kids to know where they're at in the pecking order," Crabtree said. "It allows schools to know, 'Well, Ohio State's already taken two safeties. They're not going to recruit another one. I can go out and push this kid who really liked Ohio State early on.' It's a chain reaction. It opens up a lot of doors to a lot of kids for a lot of schools.

Comments

Add a Comment