Part one viewed the players signed in February 2010 who could be classified as starters. In my haste, I neglected one key player signed in February 2010 who was a starter…
“Big Hank”declared for the NFL this past winter, being selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Hankins was considered a project at defensive tackle when he signed with Ohio State, but played in every game for the Buckeyes from 2010 through 2012. Hankins declared for the NFL Draft, hoping to be a first round selection, and is supposedly pleasing the Giants so far in his rookie season.
With this mistake, I will amend my percentages of starters from six players to seven, making 39% of the class as Starters. Moving on…
Contributors (17%)
1. OT Darryl Baldwin – Moved from defensive line to offensive tackle last season by Coach Meyer and the coaching staff. The 2013 season could be very pivotal for Baldwin, as offensive line depth is very precarious, and Baldwin is a top backup at offensive tackle. Redshirted in 2010, Baldwin will have two years of eligibility remaining, and could enter the 2014 season as a starter with continued progress as an offensive lineman.
2. TE J.T. Moore – A recent move from defensive line to tight end, Moore was the first verbal commitment for the 2010 class. Like Darryl Baldwin, Moore will have two years of eligibility remaining, as Moore redshirted for the 2010 season.
3. RB Rod Smith – Up until a few days ago, Rod Smith could have been classified as a starter. Smith was suspended for the 2013 season opener versus Buffalo, for violation of team rules in February 2013. At 6’3″ and 238 pounds, Rod Smith evokes memories of former Buckeyes Chris “Beanie” Wells and Eddie George as a physical runner. Redshirted in 2010, Smith still has time to turn it around, but even Coach Meyer has stated that, “It’s the 11th hour for Rod Smith.”.
Departures (44%)
1. LB David Durham – Originally signed as a linebacker, Durham was moved to fullback by the previous coaching staff. When Coach Meyer was hired as Ohio State’s coach, Durham transferred to Pittsburgh, as Durham felt he would not be a good fit in Ohio State’s spread offense.
2. QB Taylor Graham – The son of former Buckeye quarterback Kent Graham, Taylor Graham last saw action by Buckeyes fans in the 2011 Ohio State spring game. With Coach Meyer’s hiring, like Durham, Graham felt his skill set was not a good fit at Ohio State, transferring to Hawaii, where he is in line to start this season under the tutelage of renowned offensive guru Norm Chow.
3. LB Chad Hagan – A tweener defensive back/linebacker, Hagan played sparingly for Ohio State during the 2011 season. Hagan left the team in 2012, due to a medical issue.
4. WR James Louis – A highly-touted recruit, Louis transferred to Florida International University. Louis signed with Ohio State out of high school, as he was frustrated with waiting on a scholarship from…Florida, coached by Urban Meyer.
5. LB Scott McVey – Originally signed as a linebacker/safety in the mold of former Buckeye Tyler Moeller, McVey was redshirted in 2010. A shoulder injury sustained in high school never truly healed, forcing McVey to take a medical hardship, like Chad Hagan.
6. WR Verlon Reed – Reed was a high school quarterback, converted to wide receiver by the previous coaching staff. Redshirted in 2010, Reed played early in the 2011 season, until sustaining a knee injury against Michigan State. Reed played sparingly in 2012, deciding to transfer to Findlay for the 2013 season.
7. DL Jamel Turner – Turner never appeared in an Ohio State uniform. Battling grade issues, Turner detoured to Fork Union Military Academy. Seemingly straightened out academically, Turner was shot in his hometown of Youngstown. Turner seems to have landed on his feet at Akron, after spending some time at Butler Community College.
8. WR Tyrone Williams – A sleeper prospect out of East Cleveland Shaw, Tyrone Williams seemed to have tremendous potential as an end zone threat. Standing at 6’7″, I envisioned Williams being a nightmare to defend on “jump balls”. Redshirted in 2010, Williams played sparingly in 2011 and was dismissed early in the 2012 season by Coach Meyer for a violation of team rules. Williams was rumored to be transferring to Ohio Dominican, but is not presently listed on the 2013 roster.
**
With only eighteen players signed in 2010, Ohio State’s coaching staff had little room for error. Developing seven players, or 39%, of the players signed into starters beats the “rule of thirds”, but only slightly. The three players who have contributed, or 17%, could also emerge as eventual starters in 2014, which will make this class look better.
What hurts is the higher than normal departure rate of 44%. Contrasted with the 2005 class, which also signed eighteen players, you will see Ohio State only lost three players, or 17%.
Can the 2010 class turn around its legacy? Beginning August 31st versus Buffalo, that seems as good a place as any to start to try.
The guy who I thought had the most promise in this class was Verlon Reed… he had 1 good year before the injury seemed to destroy his promise.
Verlon Reed did have a lot of promise, and I agree that the MSU injury seemed to place his OSU career at a standstill.