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Ohio State Recruiting: Buckeyes No.1, Smart-ESP hurting coach Saban?

By Charlie Lockhart

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 3: Head Coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes calls out instructions to his players during the second quarter of the game against the Bowling Green Falcons on September 3, 2016 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 3: Head Coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes calls out instructions to his players during the second quarter of the game against the Bowling Green Falcons on September 3, 2016 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State has a slight lead over Georgia in the recruiting rankings.

The Ohio State recruiting class is once again at the top of the 247Sports Composite. After recruiting services updated player ratings the Buckeyes moved slightly ahead of the Georgia Bulldogs 310.40 to 309.02.

Although Urban Meyer let everybody know he didn’t like the Early Signing Period (ESP), he seems to have benefited by it with 22 of his 23 commits having already signed. One coach it may have hurt is Nick Saban.

Only 14 of 18 Alabama commits have signed and the recruiting class is ranked No. 6. While Nick Saban usually sits back and makes a charge at the end, landing several outstanding recruits on National Signing Day, it may be more difficult to do so this year.

It has been widely reported that 70 percent, or more, of total FBS recruits have already signed their letters of intent. That shrinks the pool of top-tier recruits left to choose from because of the Early Signing Period.

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Another thorn in Nick Saban’s side is his former defensive coordinator Kirby Smart who is challenging him for top recruits down south. Especially in the talent rich state of Georgia.

The Peach State was coach Saban’s playground on the recruiting trail until Smart became coach of the Bulldogs after the 2015 season. In the four years prior there were a total of 17 Georgia players in those Alabama recruiting classes, but only one in each of the last two and the same so far in this cycle.  

I fully expect Nick Saban to make a strong push at the end and Alabama will probably leap past Miami, Penn State and Texas. But I’m not so sure about passing Ohio State and Georgia.

Next: Epic quarterback battle looming for Ohio State

With Urban Meyer having worked the ESP to his advantage, and Kirby Smart challenging coach Saban for the same recruits, there could be new recruiting champion this year. It will make for an interesting National Signing Day however it plays out.

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