Archives for April 2015

Before proceeding too much into the main topic of my article, I want to personally wish each and every one of the draft eligible Buckeyes the best of luck this weekend. Thank you so much for all that you have done for the Ohio State football program over these past few seasons – you have been through so much from the time you enrolled at Ohio State, and you helped secure a national championship as you are departing. Thank you, and best of luck to you all as you move forward onto your next football endeavors.

No matter where these players wind up, please be sure to look into The NFL Network all weekend long (April 30-May 2) to see if your favorite team has wisely selected a Buckeye in the 2015 NFL Draft. As a Browns fan, it would be tremendous to add all of the draft eligible Buckeye players, but I am cautiously optimistic that at least one will be helping the Cleveland Browns turn around their struggling ways.

Next week, I will be submitting an article detailing my thoughts and analysis on all Ohio State players selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. Until then, keep your eyes and ears open for news about all things related to the 2015 NFL Draft from NFL Network.

Go Bucks!

The Buckeye coaching staff have not been shy planting the recruiting flag in New Jersey these past couple of seasons. The most recent classes out of the Garden State have included several top players, including guys like Eli Apple, Noah Brown, and Darius Slade. The 2015 class will bring along one NJ commit in offensive tackle, Kevin Feder. For the 2016 class, the Buckeyes have already grabbed the 2nd player out of NJ, and top-ranked running back (per 247Sports), Kareem Walker. Along with the commitment from Walker, Ohio State is still in the running for New Jersey prospects such as Rashan Gary, and Ahmir Mitchell. Within the top ten prospect comes the 8th prospect out of NJ, and the 12th ranked defensive end (per 247Sports), Ron Johnson.

Johnson is a 6’4, 240 lbs player out of Camden, NJ. The four-star defensive end is on the radar for several top programs across the country. Just this year alone, Johnson has racked in eight offers, totaling up to over twenty. There is still a lot of time in the process, and it is expected that Johnson’s scholarship list will just continue to grow. “Throughout my recruiting process I learned that I need to listen to each coach regarding when I would play on the field.” Johnson said. With his twenty offers, there are programs recruiting him the hardest. “Rutgers, Michigan, South Carolina, Alabama, Miami and Ohio State have been showing me the most interest.”

Currently, there is no list of favorite schools, leaving the process open to new programs. “I am planning on visiting Alabama, Ole Miss, and Auburn trips. But I don’t have exact dates.” Johnson said.

Ohio State offered a scholarship to the top ranked defensive end back in September of 2014. Johnson was then able to make a visit the following month. “Ohio State is showing a lot of love. They are keeping in contact with me weekly, saying I would be great there. The coaches are real nice.” Johnson said. He was able to visit for the Rutgers game, and was amazed with the atmosphere in Columbus.

“The game was pretty cool, I liked everything about it. The stadium was huge, it was packed with tons of fans. When I arrived in Ohio it was just all red, which was amazing. I would love to visit again.”

If Johnson does not commit in the middle of his senior season, he is looking to commit at the end of the season of near National Signing Day. Doing so would allow him to see where some of the top talent is heading, such as Rashan Gary, who he keeps in contact with.

“The coaches tell me I am fast, with a quick first step and I use my hands well. But, sometimes I need to stay low on my get-off, which is what I want to improve.”

To end the conversation, Johnson wanted Ohio State fans to know that the Buckeyes will always be a top consideration for him. “I would like the fans to know that the Buckeyes will always be a top school for me because, they are the Buckeyes, and I love them.” Johnson said.

Johnson had a much improved junior season, recording 24 more tackles and 10 sacks from his sophomore season. Ron’s Head Coach, Dwayne Savage has witnessed this improvement and acknowledges his recent success. “Ron has a high motor, he is a pass rusher and can also stop the run. His frame allows him to move in and play the three technique, which makes him a versatile defensive lineman.” said Savage.

“Coach Warinner, recruits our area. And we were able to go out to see the Rutgers game. Ron loved the atmosphere and the facilities. We were not able to see the academic side of everything so we are planning another trip out to Ohio State before he makes his decision.”

Even though there is no favorites list, Ron seems to have very high interest in Ohio State. With a commitment from Ron, the Buckeyes would make another big presence in New Jersey.

Below are some of Ron’s highlights:

Currently with twenty two offers, cornerback Austin Andrews has seen a spike in his recruiting process, receiving five offers in a little over two months. Per 247Sports, Andrews is a three-star, the 67th cornerback in his class, and the 27th prospect out of Ohio, coming from Columbus. After going to a couple of camps last year, Andrews received his first offer from Ohio University.

Andrews now holds offers from some top tier programs such as Michigan State, Wisconsin, Boston College, and Missouri. He also holds offers from Toledo, Purdue, Pittsburgh, Ohio, Louisville, Kent State, Iowa, and Indiana. After visiting Ohio State multiple times, Andrews is still hoping for an offer from Ohio State. Overall, Andrews has been keeping busy with his recruiting process between visits and receiving offers. “It’s good, a lot of school coming into visit and calling on the phone, a lot of fun.” Andrews said. “Michigan State has been there since day one. Wisconsin has been showing a lot of love. Louisville, Boston College, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Iowa, and Ohio State have been in contact pretty frequently.”

His top four schools include three from the Big Ten, including Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Missouri. With no offer from the Buckeyes, Andrews still has been in contact with the staff. He has visit Ohio State for camp, and a handful of visits. Most recently, visiting for the spring game. “I have been up a lot, I live around five minutes away from campus.” Andrews said. He explained his last short trip over to Ohio State as “It was pretty cool, super hot with a bunch of people there.”

Coming off that last visit, Andrews has been happy with that the coaches have been telling him, but the local cornerback is still an offer shy from wearing a Buckeye uniform. “Iv’e heard pretty much everything I want to hear, without an offer. They want me like the way I play and stuff, but they are coming to visit my school to see me run and move around around, I believe next week. So we will see.” Andrews said.

Lookout for an Ohio State offer coming his way. Some top 2016 cornerbacks Ohio State has already offered include Damar Hamlin, Jared Mayden, Joejuan Williams, and Travyon Mullen. The chances Andrews makes this list is high, and if he were to get an offer, there would be a good chance we could see him playing as a Buckeye.

Below are some highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2875875/highlights/208015405/v2

Steven Smothers, the nations 27th wide receiver coming out of his class (per 247Sports), is still a legitimate target for the Buckeyes, even though the 247Sports Crystal Ball has a 92% chance of Smothers going to WVU, the school that was first to offer him back in April of 2013. The 5’10, 150 lbs speedster from Reisterstown, Maryland has kept loyal to the first school to show interest in him, but is still keeping his options open.

Smothers currently holds 26 offers, coming from top programs all over the country such as West Virginia, Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee, Michigan State, Florida State, and more. Back in June of 2014, Smothers had his top five, in order, as, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, and N.C. State. He know holds WVU to one  his favorites, having visited there multiple times throughout his recruiting process. “Now, I do not have an official list, but I do have a top three. West Virginia, Rutgers, and Tennessee, but I still have schools to visit.” Smothers explained.

Recruiting has really kicked up these past couple months for Smothers. This month, there have been offers from Michigan State, and Miami, as well as visits to Rutgers, and Penn State.”The process has been really fun. Personally, I do not see how people don’t like it, or want to rush it. Through the process, you really need to learn who is real and who is fake.” Smothers said.

Currently, the Buckeyes have one wide receiver commit coming out of the 2016 class in Kierre Hawkins. But, this is not surprising, being that it is still relatively early in the process for this class. The Buckeyes are after top receivers such as Austin Mack, and Justin Layne, both having Ohio State pretty close on their radar.

Smothers made a visit out to Ohio State back in March, accompanied by his coach, Anthony Burgos, and teammate, current Georgia commit, Patrick Allen. “We went for the game-like scrimmage during their spring practice. I had never seen anything, football wise, happen that fast. Each period was five minutes and they went by so fast. I was amazed. It was really cool to see their high-tempo offense go to work.” Smothers said. “I was walking around, and Coach Meyer called my name, and I was so shocked (laughs), he told me I remind him a lot like Percy Harvin. I was also able to be around Dontre Wilson, and Devin Smith, which was awesome.”

“I see myself fitting in that Ohio State offense well. I am built for that high tempo offense. High tempo you get a lot quick throws and can take shots down field, which is made for athletes like myself.”

Smothers wants to work on his speed, so he is currently running track. He also wants to work his blocking and routes. “Right now, I can just run a route and beat a guy. For me, it is about improving blocking and getting faster.”

To end the conversation, Smothers wanted to make it clear Tavon Austin and himself have a good relationship. He said he is his god brother, which is important to realize because, Austin did attend West Virginia, and currently plays for the St. Louis Rams.

For the future in his recruiting process, Smothers is looking to take a couple more visits. “Definitely West Virginia, Clemnson, Ohio State, USC, and Oregon. After the summer time I would like to have a top ten, and at the end of the football season I want a top five.” said Smothers. “I am definitely going to sign my letter on National Signing Day.”

Below are highlights:

Special teams has been very important in today’s game, especially for the Ohio State Buckeyes, who take special teams very seriously. With that being said, the Buckeyes are on the radar for one of the top punters in the Class of 2016, Drue Chrisman. Chrisman, a punter from Cincinnati, Ohio is another in-state top recruit the Buckeyes have a good chance in grabbing.

Currently, per the 247Sports Crystal Ball there have been ten predictions, all for Ohio State. The 6-4, 200 pound punter would be a great replacement for the current punter for Ohio State, junior Cameron Johnston, who could possibly declare for the NFL draft early. If Johnston were to declare, Chrisman would definitely be the next man up for the silver bullets.

Chrisman has been quite busy these past couple months, receiving offers and taking visits to top programs from different conferences. “It has been pretty crazy to say the least. These past couple of months have been a little overwhelming, although it does feel nice to have attention from these programs.” said Chrisman.

“I get a lot of mail, and phone call from coaches. But, I have my top three as Florida State, Ohio State, and BYU. Which were my top three even before the process started.”

Chrisman made it out for the buckeye spring game this past weekend, following his last visit to Ohio State which was near the end of March. On that March 31st visit, the Buckeyes offered Chrisman. Coach Meyer would like him to attend for an upcoming skills camp sometime in the near future, which would make his third appearance on campus. “The visit went great, I got to stay with Sean Nuernberger, Cam Johnston, and Bryce Haynes. It was exciting to be at the highest attended spring game this year. While I was down there I got to talk to a lot of recruits. Overall, I got to get a feel of what being a Buckeye would be like, which was really neat.” said Chrisman. While talking to Chrisman, he talked very excitedly about his past weekend at Ohio State.

“I have talked to a couple of Buckeye recruits. I mostly talk to the long snapper, Liam McCullough. I got to meet his family and it was pretty cool since he had already committed I was able to hear about what he liked about Ohio State and how he ended up committing there.”

Since Chrisman is a mormon, there is a chance for a two year LDS mission. Which would only happen if he were to commit to BYU. “With Ohio State, I would probably not, because of the entire timing situation. But, with BYU, that would be something I would consider. If I went to BYU, I would most likely go on a two year mission. That is more common at BYU, which would make it easier.” said Chrisman. This could be a major factor for his decision.

A commitment date was set for after spring break, but things have changed. “I was planning on committing after I got back from spring break. Things were not as far away as I thought they were at the time. I want to make my decision when it is really clear for me.” said Chrisman.

You can follow Drue on twitter @Drue_Man

Below, are some highlights:

Ohio State's primetime B1G schedule includes the Oct. 17 home game vs. Penn State, the Oct. 24 game at Rutgers & Nov. 7 game vs. Minnesota.

— Jerry Emig (@BuckeyeNotes) April 23, 2015

Start times for Penn State & Rutgers games set for 8 p.m. EST. The Minnesota game, at Ohio Stadium, will start at either 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.

— Jerry Emig (@BuckeyeNotes) April 23, 2015

Season opener at Virginia Tech is also in primetime on ESPN; time TBD. Big Ten games' broadcast carriers TBD among ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.

— Jerry Emig (@BuckeyeNotes) April 23, 2015

So with four night games you can look at the schedule and make an educated guess for times for the remaining games.

Possible Noon Games- Hawaii, Western Michigan, Indiana, and Michigan.

Possible 3:30 Games- Northern Illios, Illinois, MSU, and Maryland

Bruce Judson a Four Star WR commit from Florida was in the hospital today and just sent out word via snapchat that the injury is a Torn Hamstring…

This injury is very tough on a guy who relies on his legs as much as a WR does. All you can do is rest and heal. We here at MOTSAG wish him a quick and speedy recovery.

(H/T to AJ Skiba @ajskiba23 for the heads up on this info)