Archives for July 2014

By: Michael Rockstedt

Follow: @Mike_Rockstedt

In the beginning of the week, we did an article on Class of 2016 running back Robert Washington. Today, we sat down with his cousin and class of 2017 star, Aapri Washington, from Huntersville, North Carolina.  The 5-9, Athlete has six offers already from the likes of Boston College, Mississippi State, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Old Dominion, and Ohio.  Some of the other schools that have not offered but are showing interest are Arizona, UNC, NC State, West Virginia, and Ohio State.  Aapri has been to Ohio State a couple of times now including April 15th for a visit and most recently on June 21st for a camp.  He had nothing but good things to say about his recent visits to Ohio State.

“In April I got to visit the campus and the facilities were excellent!” he said of his visit.  “I love the stadium also.  It definitely lived up to the expectations that Ohio State has.  At the camp in June, I got to work out with Coach Coombs and it was awesome getting to learn from him and have him coach me.  The competition was great and I had a great time. I could definitely see myself as a Buckeye.”

Coach Coombs is one of the biggest reasons why Washington has such a strong interest in Ohio State.  He told me that they have built such a strong relationship and it continues to grow.  “He is a father figure to me,” Washington said of his relationship with Coombs.  “I trust him a lot with everything.  He said if I need anything at all he would be there to help me.  He is taking me under his wing.”  Coombs is a very personable guy and a very popular figure among Ohio State fans and recruits.  It is nice to have a recruit trust a coach like that.  Coombs is building strong relationships with a lot of these players and it is doing wonders for Ohio State.

Aapri Washington’s recruitment is just starting, but that does not mean he is not busy.  He has been all over the country this summer on visits, going to camps etc.  He does want to get back to Ohio State for a game.  When he is not playing football, he enjoys hanging out with friends and relaxing.  The recruiting process has not been stressful for Aapri because his cousin has been giving him good advice throughout it.  “He tells me that I need to be patient,” Aapri said of the advice Robert has given him.  “He tells me not to stress about the whole process.”  Aapri is certainly making a name for himself on the camp circuit.  I am excited to follow him on the recruiting trail as he gets bigger and stronger.  I think that he is going to be a highly rated player in his class.  I asked what he would like to say to Buckeye fans and he said, “Go Bucks!”  Aapri Washington is a recruit that every fan should follow.

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3103531/highlights/123165375

Give him a follow on twitter also: @Aapri_8 

By: Michael Rockstedt

Follow: @Mike_Rockstedt

Thank you for all of those who submitted questions to the “Ask the Staff.”  We here at MotSaG love any reader interaction we can gather and it’s good to know that people are reading.  Let’s get to it!

When does Damien Harris pull the trigger and is it going to be good news?- Jason

This is the question of the hour.  If you follow recruiting I am sure you know that Jashon Cornell and Justin Hilliard are very close with Damien Harris.  I think Hilliard and Cornell joining Ohio State helped out big time with Harris.   He has made it no secret how much he loves Ohio State, but the same goes with Kentucky. He has committed to Michigan once before and is adamant about not committing again until signing day.  But as we realize with a lot of these players, the process gets stressful.  I think that Harris could commit at anytime, but wouldn’t be surprised if he dragged it out until signing day, only because he committed once before and does not want to decommit again.  I like Ohio State to land Harris in the end, but Kentucky is going to give them one heck of a push.

Malik Jefferson and Jerome Baker will we be able to have both of them in the 15 class?- Nick

I am going to answer this with my prediction that Baker is going to choose Ohio State on Friday.  The simple answer is yes.  Malik Jefferson is such a talented player that you just don’t say no to.  I have spoken with Jefferson before and he is visiting for the Illinois game and has a very strong interest in Ohio State.  Malik Jefferson is the type of talent that you just don’t deny a spot in this class.  He is a longshot as I think Texas A&M is the leader.  Also, Florida is giving Baker a hard time with his decision.  Let’s get Baker in the fold and go on from there.

What are your Honest thoughts on Jared Payton 2017?- Michael Jones

Jared Payton is a 5-11, defensive back and is part of the 2017 recruiting class.  I like his game and I am excited to see his talents progress to the varsity level.  He grew up a Florida fan, but loves Ohio State as well.  I think his recruitment is just heating up and he is only going to get bigger on the recruiting trail.

What is the latest with Van Jefferson? Do you like the Buckeyes chances?- Elliot

Much like the Damien Harris question, Van Jefferson is the next recruit everybody wants to know about.  Van has been trending for the past couple of weeks for Tennessee, but I do not agree with that.  I have spoken with a couple of people in the Jefferson camp, and they are very much into Ohio State.  They love Urban Meyer and how he would prepare Van for life after football. He is visiting on July 16th and this is a chance for Ohio State to show him why they are the school for him.  I have been saying for a while now that I still think Ohio State is the team to beat.  I am sticking with that.  He hopes to decide on his birthday, July 26th, but if not then, sometime before the summer is over.  I like the Buckeyes here.

Hey guys, I was wondering what OSU chances are at landing Brian Cole?- Anthony

Brian Cole is a very interesting prospect.  He is rated the top prospect in Michigan and many people feel like this is a two team race between Michigan State and Michigan.  Ohio State is making things interesting as he has visited here before and could be coming back for FNL.  I expect him to stay in state and choose either Michigan State or Michigan.

One week removed from one of the best recruiting days in Ohio State history, the attention now turns to Friday, July 11th.  Jerome Baker, one of the nations best linebackers, is set to commit that day.  Many people feel like Ohio State is the heavy, heavy favorite.  I tend to disagree with that.  I think this is a lost closer than most people think and I am going to give you the school(s) that is going to give Ohio State trouble for Baker.

Is Jerome Baker going to be the Next 2015 commit for Ohio State?

The Contenders:

Ohio State- What many people consider the heavy favorite, Ohio State has long been the favorite for Baker because it just makes sense.  They are the home state school and Baker plays football for Benedictine in Cleveland, Ohio.  Baker grew up a Penn State fan as a matter of fact and many thought that they would be giving Ohio State the most trouble in the end.  After a SEC swing where he visited Tennessee and Florida, it became more and more of an Ohio State vs. SEC battle.  Urban Meyer has had great success the past couple of recruiting classes with the top players in Ohio, getting the players he wants most in Ohio.  I think this one is going to come down to Ohio State and my next team on the list.

Florida- Will Muschamp has had his ups and downs at Florida, but there is no doubt that he can recruit.  Anybody can recruit at the University of Florida, but Muschamp deserves credit.  But with Baker’s recruitment, I think a lot of the credit has to go to LB coach DJ Durkin.  Baker has built a very strong relationship with Durkin, and I think is the main reason as to why he might choose Florida.    Baker has made it no secret how much he loves Florida.  There is some serious smoke out there about Baker and Florida and it is not just his camp trying to build some excitement for the announcement.  I think he really likes Florida and Florida is going to give Ohio State A LOT of trouble.

Tennessee- Whatever kool-aid Butch Jones is selling on the recruiting trail, I sure want some.  He has been on fire since he has taken over at UT.  Baker has taken a visit to Tennessee and came away very impressed.  I think that Tennessee is the dark horse in this race.  I think a lot of people are writing Tennessee and a lot of other schools for that matter, off because many feel he is an Ohio State “lock”.  If Jerome were to leave the state, I think an up and coming Tennessee program would be a good fit for him.  He could become the leader of that defense.  I like Tennessee to round out the top three for Baker but I think this is going to be a Ohio State and Florida battle.

Prediction: Ohio State.  Urban Meyer has worked too hard and too long for the top in-state prospect to go somewhere else.  The Mariano Rivera (I’m a Yankees fan so I love this analogy) of recruiting, I think Meyer closes this one out.  I think Baker loves Ohio State and is not going to give up the opportunity to play in front of family and friends at the Horseshoe.  I think Baker chooses Ohio State at his announcement. 

By Michael Rockstedt: Follow @Mike_Rockstedt

Want to ask the staff a question about where things currently stand with Ohio State recruiting? Now is your chance! Comment on this article, and ask your question and I’m going to select a couple of the best and answer them.  I’ll be taking questions from now until Midnight tomorrow night. Ask away!

By: Michael Rockstedt: Follow @Mike_Rockstedt

When you have over 31 offers as a rising Junior, odds are you are very talented.  Class of 2016 running back Robert Washington, from Huntersville, North Carolina,  has more than 31 offers and is still collecting, most recently from the University of Florida.  Joining Florida on that list are schools like Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. Ohio State offered Washington in April and it did not take him long to reciprocate that interest.  He has made it no secret that he loves Ohio State.  He attributes this to many things, including the tradition Ohio State has.

Is Robert Washington going to be the second RB commit for 2016?

“I love the tradition that Ohio State has, especially at running back,” he said of why he loves Ohio State. “The running backs they have had like Carlos Hyde and Archie Griffin, are just special players.  The coaches are amazing too.  I love coach Drayton, he is a good coach and we continue to build our relationship.  The university has so much pride and I love everything it has to offer.”

Washington immediately tried to set up a visit with Ohio State after the offer and did so by visiting on June 21st for the camp.  Although he did not participate in the camp, he was able to tour the school and get a better feel for the campus facilities.

“I got to tour the campus and facilities, and they were both amazing,” he said of his visit.  “I got to meet with Coach Meyer and all of the coaches a lot which was awesome.  I also got to speak with Rod Smith a lot too.  He told me about the tradition Ohio State has and how they were preparing him for life after football.  I enjoyed hanging out with Rod, everything was really cool.”

Washington was very excited about the chance to possibly play football in the Scarlet and Gray.  With over 31 offers, he still has his pick of the litter when it comes to choices.  He told me that he is going to have a top 15 by August, a top 10 by December, and then commit either next May or June.  He told me that Ohio State would be in the top 15 for sure, but other than that, he was still trying to figure things out.  He hopes to come to Ohio State for a game in the fall.  When he is not on the football field, he likes to hangout with his friends and girlfriend, and to workout.  I asked him what he wanted to say to Buckeye nation and he replied,”Watch out for me, I might be a Buckeye soon!”  I love Washington’s game and when I asked him who he liked to model his game after and he replied with Marshawn Lynch, I thought that was the perfect example. He possesses a great combination of speed (4.47 40 yd dash) and strength to go a long with a great balance of rushing and catching balls from the backfield. Robert Washington is a very talented recruit and one that everyone should get to know.

Check out his highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1627878/highlights/128099375

Also you can follow Robert on twitter: @RDubb_5 

Kyle Rowland of 11w first reported that Tracy Sprinkle a redshirt freshman defensive lineman has been arrested and indefinitely suspended.

Melissa Linebrink of the Chronicle Telegram recieved confirmation from Lorain police that Sprinkle was arrested on charges of possession of drugs, heroin, drug paraphernalia, rioting/failure to disperse.

Sprinkle who is a graduate of Elyria High and former standout for the Pioneers.

When more information becomes available we will keep you updated.

The quarterback position is arguably the biggest position to recruit for every recruiting class.  Coaches spend many hours traveling to watch quarterbacks throw in front of them.  The 2016 QB class is already a deep class and some of the top quarterbacks have Ohio State at the top or around the top 5.  Dwayne Haskins has Ohio State at the VERY top.  The 6-2 quarterback from Maryland  has offers from many of the top programs across the nation including Ohio State, Florida State, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Tennessee.  One of those stands out to Haskins and that is Ohio State.  Dwayne told me the reason he loves Ohio State so much is because of what the program has to offer and because of the tradition.  He recently took a visit to Columbus which he came away very impressed, and added to his overall feel of Ohio State.

“I sat down and talked with the staff a lot,” Haskins said of his visit to Ohio State.  “I walked around the campus, got to go to the school store as well.  I love the atmosphere at Ohio State overall.”

Haskins had a very good time on his visit to Ohio State.  I asked him what they told him about playing there and he told me that they love him as a quarterback. “They said that I have a lot of potential that I have not tapped into yet but I already show great skills,” Haskins said of what the staff thinks of him.  Haskins and Ohio State seem to have a very strong relationship.  I think that feeling of love is mutual between Haskins and Ohio State.

As for the rest of the summer, he is making a Florida swing, attending the Rivals Camp in Jacksonville, Florida, one of the most prestigious underclassmen camps, and then visiting Florida State and Florida.  He is not sure if he is going to make it back up to Ohio State for Friday Night Lights but he is trying to work that out.  He wants to be a Sports Broadcaster when his football career is over, but from what school is he going to receive his degree? Haskins told me you’ll know after this season.  Haskins is very excited about the chance to play football for Ohio State.  I know a lot of quarterbacks are interested in Ohio State for 2016, but I think Haskins is going to be the quarterback of the class. He loves everything Ohio State has to offer and I think he is going to be a Buckeye when he announces after the season.  I am excited to see his recruitment and his game develop over the next couple of seasons.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2454303/highlights/98011395

Follow him on twitter also: @dh_simba7 

When it comes to recruiting the 2017 class, most recruitniks know that there are already a handful of offers out.  Austin Mills, from Mount Vernon, Kentucky, hopes to be one of the lucky ones to earn one of those offers soon. Mills, a 5-8 linebacker, knows that he needs to get bigger and stronger if he wants colleges to start noticing him.  He has received some interest from Kentucky, Auburn, and Vanderbilt already.  He is in contact with Kentucky a lot because they are the in-state school so he is able to go there a lot.  Although he does not have much interest from Ohio State, he hopes to gain some interest from them by his play on the field.  Ohio State is certainly one of his favorite schools as he loves everything about them.

Mills is hoping he can earn an offer from Ohio State

“I love the fan base at Ohio State!” Mills said of the reasons he loves Ohio State.  “I love the academics there also. I want to visit before the season to get a better feel of what Ohio State has to offer. I really love Ohio State and I have a lot of interest in them.”

I asked Mills what he thinks is the strongest part of his game and he said that he hits hard and that he is quick on his feet.  I think that he needs to add a little more size, which he has a lot of time for because he is just a freshman.  He is going to get stronger and bigger which could really help him with his game.  Mills loves Ohio State a lot but he also has a strong interest in Kentucky.  He has been to Kentucky a couple of times now and even camped there in June.  As for the rest of the summer, Mills is going to be conditioning with his friends for the season.  He has many friends on the football team with him and they enjoy working out together.  He also switched his position to OLB, so he has been studying and learning coverage skills.  I’m interested in Austin’s recruitment because he is a hard worker and with a little growth spurt, he could be a big player this season.   Follow his recruitment as he gets bigger and stronger.

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2463171/highlights/134225385

Also follow him on twitter:   @ChiefMills28