Position by Position Recruiting Summary – Quarterbacks

Over the next few posts, I’m going to break down the Buckeyes’ current lineup position-by-position and discuss how the recruiting process could potentially change the picture. Today I’ll start with the leader on offense: the quarterback.

The QB position should be in good hands for the next one or two seasons if JT Barrett decides to complete his four years at Ohio State. If he comes back after his junior season, then we’ll have a senior quarterback in 2017, but if he doesn’t, then the Buckeyes will have to break in a new starter. Right now the depth chart would be:

1.) JT Barrett – Junior (RS)

2.) Joey Burrow – Freshman (RS)

3.) Stephen Collier – Sophomore (RS)

4.) Dwayne Haskins – Freshman

Haskins has the opportunity to move up when he gets on campus this summer if he does well in workouts and fall camp, but right now I’m leaving him at 4th on the depth chart. If he fails to pass Burrow for the back-up job I can see Haskins taking a red-shirt this season giving himself another year without Barrett at the helm. Burrow and Collier have both been in the program for at least a season, but neither has thrown a meaningful pass for the Buckeyes. Last season, Ohio State had an abundance of riches at the QB position, but Cardale Jones’ departure to the NFL leaves the Buckeyes with a lack of experience at the position. That’s concerning if Barrett were to go down with an injury, but here is where successful recruiting comes in to play.

Let’s look at potential recruiting classes for the next couple of years.

Danny Clark from Archbishop Hoban HS in Massillion, Ohio, has led the 2017 recruiting class since his commitment back in December of 2013. He’s been on campus dozens of times and has been a vocal recruiter for the Buckeyes for the 2017 class. Recently there’s been talk of possibly adding a second signal caller to this class. Scholarship numbers are tight this year, so it might be hard to squeeze another QB into this class, but if Urban & Co. decide there’s a need, they’ll find a way. Hypothetically speaking, if one of the current QBs on the roster decides to transfer before next season, then the Buckeyes would be able to take another quarterback in 2017. Right now, Ohio State doesn’t have any offers out to other quarterbacks in this class, but that could certainly change over the next 11 months. It’ll be interesting to see if the Buckeyes decide to take two in this class, but I still think they’ll stick with Clark and ride it out until 2018.

The 2017 Depth Chart Projection:

1.) JT Barrett – Senior (RS)

2.) Dwayne Haskins – Freshman (RS) 

3.) Joey Burrow – Sophomore (RS)

4.) Danny Clark – Freshman

5.) Stephen Collier – Junior (RS)

Most teams take at least one QB a year regardless of their depth, so the Buckeyes will certainly be on the lookout for a QB in 2018. As of now, Ohio State has extended offers to Phil Jurkovec out of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania and Jalen Mayden out of Sachse, Texas. Jurkovec currently holds 11 offers from the likes of Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Penn State. He’s a dual-threat QB who passed for 2,560 yards and ran for 1,250 yards in his sophomore season at Pine-Richland. Mayden is a four-star recruit who holds offers from Houston, Mississippi State, and Oregon State among others. Mayden’s sophomore season ended with 2,496 passing yards and 513 rushing yards for a total of 36 touchdowns. Another one to watch is Tadas Tatarunas from Mentor, Ohio, who currently lists Ohio State as a school he has interest in, but he hasn’t received an offer yet.  

The 2018 Depth Chart Projection:

1.) Dwayne Haskins – Sophomore (RS)

2.) Danny Clark – Freshman (RS)

3.) Joey Burrow – Junior (RS)

4.) Stephen Collier – Senior (RS)

Urban Meyer always says the quarterback is “only as good as the players around him,” but the Buckeyes need a guy who can distribute the ball effectively and run the offense efficiently if they want to have any success on offense. Right now the future looks good with Barrett running the helm and preparing the younger kids to take over when he leaves. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of recruiting cycles though.

MotSaG Chat With 2017 QB Commit Danny Clark

This week I had the privilege of interviewing Danny Clark, who was the first verbal commit in the 2017 class for Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Clark hails from legendary Massillon, Ohio where he plays for arguably the greatest high school football team in world history. Sound dramatic? Here is a little history lesson for you: From 1935-1965, the Massillon Tigers won 9 national championships and 20 state championships. That is incredible and will never be replicated again. The Tigers are also involved in the greatest high school rivalry in the nation when they square off against archrival Canton McKinley. Great tradition, great rivalry… sounds like another team I root for.

He is ranked at No. 2 for players in great state of Ohio (trailing only OL Josh Myers from Miamisburg- Ohio State commit) and as the second ranked Pro-Style Quarterback in all of America for the 2017 class. Clark is ranked as the 48th best player in the nation according to 247 Sports. I highly suggest getting to one of his games this season because he is fantastic to watch on the football field. You will not be disappointed. So without further adieu, here is my Q&A with 4 star Massillon Tigers Quarterback, Danny Clark.

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NB: When did schools start recruiting you?

DC: I’ve started taking unofficial visits in 7th grade but schools weren’t allowed to recruit me until I was a freshman on varsity.

NB: What was the first school where you had an unofficial visit?

DC: Tennessee Volunteers, me and my dad went to a Tennessee Alabama night game as a guest of Tennessee.

NB: What schools have made a strong impression on you besides Ohio State?

DC: None. No other school comes close.

NB: What has it been like playing in the football crazed town of Massillon?

DC: It has been a great experience there’s only one Massillon.

NB: What has been your favorite memory playing for them so far?

DC: The second play of my of varsity career was a 59 yard touchdown pass to Reggie Rogers, I’ll never forget it.

NB: How does your rivalry game against Canton McKinley help prepare you for Ohio State’s game with the team up north?

DC: It’s the greatest high school rivalry in the country. There’s nothing like playing in that game. Its huge. 20,000 people. It’s a must win. NB: Who is your favorite current or former NFL quarterback and why?

DC: Peyton manning. There’s no one like the sheriff. He’s a great quarterback, a great leader, and a good guy off the field.

NB: What is a hobby you enjoy outside of football?

DC: I love lifting weights, boating, working on cars, motorcycle, and watching the Buckeyes.

NB: Have you gotten to know a lot of other 2017 recruits looking at Ohio State?

DC: Yes. Josh Meyers and I are real close, and I’ve developed a strong relationship with Bruce Judson. Trevon Grimes and I are real tight too. They’re all good guys I just try to let them know how great Ohio State is and what we can do together here. There has never been a better time to be a Buckeye.

NB: Do you know what you will be majoring in yet?

DC: Right now I’m thinking journalism. Or maybe sports broadcasting.

NB: Last question: favorite movie of all time?

DC: Predator or The Program.

I would like to thank Danny Clark for taking the time out of his day to give me this interview, my first as a member of the staff at Men of the Scarlet and Gray. Out of all the players that the Buckeyes have, either on the team already or in the midst of recruiting, Clark is one of my favorite ones. He will be something to behold when he heads to Columbus.

Below is a Danny Clark highlight tape:

Connor Heyward Creating Own Success Story

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Ohio State fans might know the name Heyward from a recent, successful Buckeye in Cameron Heyward.  Meet his younger and equally as talented, younger brother from Georgia, Connor.  Although he is in the class of 2017, the wide receiver and Safety prospect knows  that it is never to early to start recruiting.  The 6 foot 1 inch rising sophomore, has interest from many schools across the country including Ohio State.  He has been to Ohio State many times for his older brother, but the other day he participated in a camp in which he fought hard and went up against some good competition.

“There were a lot of good players at this camp the competition was very good!” Heyward said of the camp experience.  “The kids from Miami were really good also.  The best part was getting to go 1v1 in front of the coaches, especially coach Coombs.  I really like him.”  Another cool part of the camp Heyward told me was getting to meet Danny Clark.  The two instantly hit it off and Heyward told me they have become good friends.

“Danny Clark and I have a good relationship,” he said of Clark.  “He wants me to come here with him and also take more visits when he is on campus also.”  It is a surprise to nobody that follows recruiting that Clark has been recruiting his heart out for the team.

Heyward loves Ohio State for many reasons and it does not have to do a lot with Cam playing here.  He did say although that is cool, it is not the reason he loves the school so much.  He attributes his love for the school to a couple of things like his relationship with Coach Fickell, the facilities, and the success of the program.

“Coach Fickell and I have a great relationship.” Heyward says of his reasons for loving Ohio State. “We have just been around each other so much.  I also just love everything about Ohio State from the campus to the sports facilities.  Also, there is not a better stadium in college football than the Shoe!”

His brother keeps telling him to work hard, something he really takes to heart on the football field.  For the rest of the summer, Heyward will be practicing and training for Football AND basketball.  Yep.  He is a mult-sport athlete and his team for AAU just made it to the finals for the Nike Peach Jam in Florida, something he is very excited for.  He would love to play both in college if lucky, but would choose football over basketball.  When asked what he would like to say to Ohio State fans, he said, “Go Bucks and stay tuned!”  Connor Heyward is a great prospect and will have a great share of college choices.  But he just loves Ohio State and that is where I think he is going to choose to play College Football.

247Sports Page

Highlights

 

MotSaG Chat with Danny Clark

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Let me start off this post by saying I am about to interview a HS FB recruit who hasn’t even actually started HIGH SCHOOL. This young man isn’t your average incoming HS freshman he is 6’3″ and 205 lbs and has a rocket of an arm and the quick feet you want as well. He is blowing up on the National scene and already has drawn serious looks from many of the best programs in the country and he has never played a down of a HS FB game yet. He could be the first Freshman QB ever to start a game at storied Massillon High school.

From a story on Youth1.com last month we get some interesting notes on his stats…

Danny has had a list of accomplishments before even starting high school. The 6’4” 205 pounder was an FBU Top Gun invitee, two-time Junior Rank All-American, and MVP of his team over the past two seasons. In his 8th grade season, Danny racked up over 2,000 yards passing, threw 33 touchdowns, had a completions percentage over 70%, and only threw 2 interceptions. He also rushed for 13 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards. What may be even more impressive is the fact that he accomplished these statistics without playing in the 4th quarter of any regular season game. This kid is the definition of a human highlight reel.

Yes these are 8th grade stats and yes he has a ton of potential and all we can do is hope it doesnt become to much for the young man. He has a real shot to become something special along the lines of LeBron James of football. You can tell though by reading the interview below that he gets it. He is humble and hardworking and is very grounded but most of all he knows what it means to be a Buckeye so read and enjoy…

SYR- If you could please tell us about your home life… Parents, brothers and/or sisters, where you were born, Have you always lived in in the same place?

Danny- I live with my mom and dad in Massillon. I have 2 younger brothers Caden is 12, and Victor is 7. I was born in Columbus, and lived there until we moved to Massillon 3 years ago.

SYR- Can you give us your current stats such as height, weight, 40 yard time?

Danny- I am 6’3 and 205 lbs and ran a 4.8 forty time.

SYR- Tell us a little bit about your HS FB team such as record and offensive style.

Danny- We are expected to have a great team this year. We run a spread offense and pass a lot out of the shotgun.

SYR- What are your goals for the upcoming season?

Danny- Win the starting varsity QB job, go undefeated and win a state championship.

SYR- Do you think you will start your freshman season?

Danny- I’m not even thinking about that right now. Right now I’m working hard to get better every day. I know if I keep getting better, and take care of business, things will take care of themselves.

SYR- What college football team did you grow up being a fan of and why?

Danny- I grew up watching the Buckeyes with my dad. I remember how the game with TTUN was such a big deal every year. During that game,or during a Buckeyes bowl game, we would always have a big party to cheer for the Buckeyes. My dad told me from as far back as i can remember that i was born to lead the Buckeyes, and i feels really great to be considered an OSU recruit. I guess I was just born into it.

SYR- Has the recruiting process started and if yes how is it going?

Danny- It has started and I think it’s going great considering my age. It is a little different for me the past 2 years because of my age, but I’m right where I want to be.

SYR- Who would you say is your personal hero and why?

Danny- My Dad. He’s guided me through life and taught me everything I know. He gives me the confidence to make me feel like i can do anything.

SYR- If you were going to die tomorrow what would your final meal be?

Danny- Genjis. It’s a Columbus Japanese Steakhouse.

SYR- Who do you think you compare to most in the NFL or College right now?

Danny- I would have to say Colin Kaepernick. We are built the same, and everyone has been comparing me to him since he was at Nevada.

SYR- Who is your favorite College player of all time? And favorite NFL player of all time if different from College?

Danny- college- Tie between Troy Smith and Terrell Pryor. Pro- Tom Brady

SYR- I know the recruiting process is early for you and I am sure it is tough for you to come up with a top 5 schools list but could you maybe list the top 5 schools you would like to get an offer from and why?

Danny- OSU, Michigan State, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas in that order. These are the schools that I have the best relationships with the coaches.

SYR- Will you play any other positions other than QB in high school?

Danny- Probably not

SYR- How crazy has it been getting so much attention as an incoming HS Freshman?

Danny- It’s been a little different lately, but when your a Massillon football player you get used to attention and pressure real quick.

SYR- What would you like Buckeye Nation to know about you that they most likely don’t already know?

Danny- Paul Brown is my sports hero. I am thankful to Maurice Clarrett for ripping the ball out of the hands of Sean Taylor vs Miami in national championship game.

We can’t thank Danny enough for taking the time to do this interview. I hope he enjoyed it as much as I did doing it and you did reading it.

You can follow Danny on Twitter by clicking here.

Here are his highlights…