Ohio State Recruiting: 2018 Class is full of gems despite defections
The Ohio State recruiting class is loaded with talent.
The buzz around whether Ohio State won or lost the first year of the early signing period in college football is incredible.
From players deflecting to other schools to Dabo Swinney using psychological tactics on Jackson Carman by insinuating that Urban Meyer might be on his way out, there were no shortages on storylines.
Perhaps the most absurd report is the Buckeyes having to give up recruiting Micah Parsons, the No. 5 ranked player in the nation, because of a recruiting violation when he visited the set of ESPN’s College Game Day in Columbus on September 9.
All of things caused a stir among Buckeye Nation. I am wondering why.
These players are still kids. They have not played one down in college football. They don’t deserve the hype, nor do they deserve being criticized for deciding where they want to go.
This is not just a football decision. This will impact not just the next four years, but the rest of their lives.
The odds probably favor Parsons, Carman and Jaiden Woodbey becoming really good college players, maybe even the best at their positions. So what?
History suggests a high-percentage of the players who did sign with Ohio State will become NFL-caliber talent too.
The whole stars ranking is silly. It is fun to debate, but generally meaningless.
The list of three-star players for the Buckeyes over the last 15 seasons is staggering.
More from Scarlet and Game
- Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
- Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes conference schedule is set
- Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
- How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
- Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
A.J. Hawk, Santonio Holmes, Kirk Barton, James Laurinaitis, Brian Robiskie, Malcolm Jenkins, Dane Sanzenbacher, Kenny Guiton, Reid Fragel, Zach Boren, Bradley Roby, Johnathan Hankins, Devin Smith, Cardale Jones, Evan Spencer, Jeff Heuerman, Tyvis Powell, Pat Elflein, Jacoby Boren, Chris Worley, Gareon Conley, Darron Lee, Tracy Sprinkle, Malik Hooker, Sam Hubbard, Robert Landers, Branden Bowen, Denzel Ward, Jordan Fuller, and Tuf Borland.
These guys become the leaders in the program.
The 2018 class has five three-star players signed already. I am willing to bet three become All Big Ten players and one becomes an All-American.
Meyer gets knocked around for being a great recruiter, but not a great coach. Anyone that says that is stupid.
Next: Predictions for Big Ten bowl games
He develops kids into young men who leave prepared for life and god willing, maybe the NFL, while winning 85-percent of his games and delivering championships. What more can anyone ask?