Now that the 2015 recruiting class (#Elite15) is about to come to a close, it is time to take a look back at which offensive linemen the Buckeyes landed this year. As we all know, O-Line Coach Ed Warriner has done an outstanding job developing his young linemen into stars. Ohio State had to replace four offensive linemen after last season (3 of which are now starting in the NFL) which is no easy task for the best coaches or teams. But yet they still earned a playoff berth which is in large part due to how Warriner was able to get the buffet busters up front ready. As of right now, he is still a coach for the Buckeyes despite rumors that he was accepting the Head Coaching position at Kansas. Now let’s take a look at the five linemen that will be attending school at The Ohio State University.
Grant Schmidt
The 3 star Tackle from Sioux Falls, South Dakota was one of the first members of the Elite15 as he committed in June of this year. According to 247 Sports, he is the 54th best Offensive Tackle in the nation. Schmidt will also be the first player from South Dakota to be a Buckeye. Measuring in at 6’6†and 275 pounds he has the height to protect our Quarterback’s blindside. Once he arrives in Columbus I expect him to put on at least 30 pounds of muscle (thanks, Coach Mick). Schmidt also considered Minnesota and Washington State before selecting the Buckeyes.
Kevin Feder
The Ramsey, New Jersey prospect is one of the under the radar guys I am most excited about for the incoming class. He stands with a huge frame at 6’9†and weighs in at 305 pounds which is just huge for any football player in general. Feder is a 3 star Offensive Tackle and rated as the 55th best OT in the country while being the 12th best player in the Garden State. Offered by such heavyweights like Tennessee, Miami, and even Michigan State (recruited by Narduzzi) it was a great get by Warriner & Co.
Matthew Burrell
The gem of the 2015 O-Line class has to be 4 star (darn close to 5 in my opinion) Offensive Tackle Matthew Burrell from Woodbridge, Virginia. He was recruited very hard by both Larry Johnson and Ed Warriner for the past year and finally committed about a month ago. Burrell is a top 100 player according to 247 Sports while being the 5th best OG in the nation. Penn State, Florida and Florida State were also in the running for his talents. He was also invited to The Opening which is a four day Nike event for top high school players held in Oregon. Burrell will participate in the Army All-American Bowl on January 3rd with other Buckeye commits Jerome Baker, Torrance Gibson, Justin Hilliard, Dre’Mont Jones, Liam McCullough, and Mike Weber.
Branden Bowen
Another underrated prospect Warriner gobbled up in late November was Branden Bowen from Draper, Utah. The 6’7†330 pound Tackle is ranked as the 87th best in the country and the 8th best player in the state. Once committed to Utah, Urban Meyer and Ed Warriner were able to pull out their spatula for the flip. Bowen visited for the Illinois game on November 1st and was on commitment watch from that moment on- eventually committing 3 weeks later. Make no mistake, Bowen has the size to be an NFL prospect and I expect Warriner to develop him into that.
Mirko Jurkovic
The 3 star player from South Bend, Indiana (Notre Dame’s backyard) was the fifth and most likely final offensive linemen taken by the Buckeyes for the 2015 class. Ranked as the 51st best OG in the country, the potential is certainly there for good production. It was an Ohio State-Nebraska battle but his visit to Columbus for the Michigan game all but sealed it and he committed a week later.
As long as Ed Warriner is coaching football at The Ohio State University, I have full faith that the linemen we get will all be given the skills to succeed.
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