Mr. Bucknuts Bucket of Bullets

This year has been a true example of the fact that recruiting never ends. As soon as the class of 2005 signed on the dotted line, the focus shifted towards 2006. The Buckeyes are already off to an excellent start; what other names are on the horizon? Mr. Bucknuts gives his opinions on the 2006 recruiting scenario today.

The First Class of 2006 Recruiting Review

In an attempt to weave together both February, March and historical recruiting episodes of note, I reference an American who might have made a great tight end, Abraham Lincoln. He did remind us about the pursuit of happiness which leads directly to the pursuit of high school kids. And 150 years ago – this week – he gave what was thought to be the greatest inaugural address of all time. A good way to inaugurate our Class of 2006 coverage, no?

Well, two months later he was shot and killed…

Lincoln also described my Mr. Bucknuts Recruiting Review mission in a pithy quote: “He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of any man I ever met”. And he had not even met Mr. Bucknuts!

Four score and seven days from now (87, if you are doing the math at home…), we won’t even ready to report on Ohio State recruiting camps (end of June). And the not-so-civil recruiting wars that rages all year long will just be heating up. So, let’s evolve gracefully into this new recruiting season, shall we?

First, we will look at the possibilities, the players and give you a snapshot synopsis of their backgrounds

How many schollies for 2006?

Let’s keep it simple – I say 20. There are 15 seniors graduating and only 83 scholarships being used. That implies the availability of 17 new scholarships from the get-go. Even if Tressel hands out two more to walk-ons, they will probably be to walk-on seniors. Plus, there will be attrition (grades, disciplinary problems) plus at least one guy (Santonio Holmes) will leave early, more than likely. That leaves 20, in my mind. And that’s the mind you have to deal with for the rest of this review, so let’s work with it.

Here’s what we will be looking for in the Class of 2006:

I am taking Managing Editor Steve Helwagen’s outstanding (and previously published) analysis and adding on my comments – in red. To wit:

Position Analysis

* QB -- OSU has three returning scholarship QBs, as well as one signee for 2005 (Rob Schoenhoft). To keep the pipeline adequate and spacing appropriate, OSU will take one more QB.

* TB -- OSU has two returning scholarship tailbacks, as well as one signee for 2005 (Maurice Wells). OSU also has one verbal for 2006 (Chris Wells). All of the backs are now officially “young”. If a Top 100 TB emerges, OSU will look at him. Otherwise, they are done.

* FB -- OSU has three scholarship fullbacks, including one senior (Brandon Schnittker). Dionte Johnson is the only “pure” FB; we need another to get back in balance.

* WR -- OSU has seven scholarship wide receivers, although one (Dukes) is in limbo. The Buckeyes have three signees for 2005 (Andre Amos, Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie). Some of the presumed WR’s might end up being CB’s. Hey – you always take two if you find good ones (but the Buckeyes only need one)!

* TE -- OSU has four returning scholarship tight ends, including one senior (Ryan Hamby). At least one more here, two if they are both blockers and catchers.

* OL -- OSU has 11 returning scholarship linemen, including three seniors (Nick Mangold, Rob Sims and Andree Tyree). The Buckeyes also have two signees for 2005 in Alex Boone and Jim Cordle. OSU wanted three last year and got two. They want four this year and could take five.

* DL -- OSU has 12 returning scholarship linemen, including one in limbo (Maupin) and three seniors (Mike Kudla, Redgie Arden and Marcus Green) OSU has four signees for 2005 (Ryan Williams, Doug Worthington, Lawrence Wilson and Todd Denlinger). They need two in the middle and one on the end to keep the rotation in order.

* LB -- OSU has nine returning scholarship linebackers (not including Kerr), including three seniors (A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel). OSU also has three signees for 2005 in Freddie Lenix, Austin Spitler and James Laurinaitis. They also have a verbal for 2006 (Ross Homan). The Buckeyes need guys on the outside. They got one already (Homan) and will take one more – perhaps two. These guys make great special teams players, as well.

* CB -- OSU has five returning scholarship corners, although one (E.J. Underwood) is in limbo. He is also a senior. The Buckeyes have two signees for 2005 in Jamario O‘Neal and Malcolm Jenkins. It seems like you always take two no matter what.

* S -- OSU has six returning scholarship safeties, including two seniors (Tyler Everett and Nate Salley). OSU signed two safeties in 2005 in Anderson Russell and Donald Washington. I think you take two more here as they are usually variable enough to play corner (the smaller ones) or linebacker (the bigger ones) and/or special teams (the athletic ones).

K-P -- OSU has three returning specialists on scholarship, including one senior (Huston). Whoa – no more punters and kickers! They have enough already to field a whole practice squad…

So…for those keeping score, that’s about 20. The caveat is that OSU will “over-take” positions if the player is good enough, and “under-take” if we want to bank scholarships for the following season (like they did last year on the O-line – ‘banking” for the quality and quantity that was coming) or if they fail to land guys at a position they need.

Already Committed to OSU for 2006

Chris Wells

We might have gotten the biggest commitment first-est. OSU needed a great back. OSU needed a big back. They needed a national commitment that will call other big names. Chris Wells is all of those things. He has been the top-rated player in his class for three years now – and he is just 16! From Akron Garfield, Wells will play college at about 6’2” and 230. He has speed, he runs hard between the tackles, and he has vision and loves to cut back. Hey – he can catch the ball, too. He might be Maurice Clarett without the personality disorder. Last year, he ran for 2000 yards and 20 TD’s without dominating the offensive game plan. This is a guy you should be excited about.

Ross Homan

A quiet assassin at Coldwater, we have been following Ross since the eighth grade when one of his coaches alerted us to the possibility that he might be the biggest talent they have ever had in a football-famous school. The big stat in the eighth grade was “6”. That was the number of times Ross was tackled – all year! Since then, he has gotten bigger and better. He will get to Ohio State at about the same size as Chris Wells and has the same kind of instincts (and humility) as AJ Hawk. Last season’s stats? 200 tackles and eight sacks. And a pretty good fullback – but he was tackled more than six times for the Faucets, errr Cavaliers.

Ohio Offers for the Class of 2006

Justin Boren

One of the top 2-3 O-linemen in Ohio and in on some early Top 100 national lists. This Pickerington 6’4” 295-pounder was offered three months ago by the Buckeyes. While his Dad played at Michigan, Justin avers that will have no bearing (let TJ Downing – same situation – be his host). Boren says he wants to get the process over with by summer.

Aaron Brown

The early line from Duane Long has Aaron as the best O-lineman in the state. A glittering array of offers already fill the desk at the Brown house including many of the national powerhouses in the South. Brown is 6’6” and 275 and will keep getting bigger. And stronger. And better. Duane sees him eventually in the NFL and Bucknuts sees him stopping at OSU first. Brown is playing now at Cincinnati Princeton.

Conner Smith

From the Colerain juggernaut, Conner is mentioned in the same rarified air as Boren and Brown. The large (6’6” and 300 pounds) Conner has great feet and a nasty disposition. Also seen as an early “lean” to the Buckeyes but – hey – it is Cincinnati, so beware. Yet, Conner’s father – Joe – was an O-lineman for Ohio State from 1979-1982.

Robert Rose

Yes, even the big guys are fast at Glenville. The 6’5” 240 pound Rose runs a 4.7-forty (faster than Clarett!) and just transferred into Glenville last year so his best football is in front of him. Rose is seen as a rush defensive end. He will follow the Glenville tradition of waiting until the end to commit but is there any other place for a Tarblooder to go than Columbus? I think not…

Ray Small

A good receiver but a great DB, also from Glenville (they have had – arguably – the best DB in the nation the last three years: Whitner, Ginn, and O’Neal). I say Small is the next in line and although he professes a passion for USC (so did Teddy at one point), the Columbus draw should reel him in. Small is 6’0” 190 and runs 4.4 or better. As a freshman, Ray played tailback for Lakewood St. Ed!

Thaddeus Gibson

The Buckeyes have one of the top two linebackers already in the barn in Ross Homan. Thaddeus is probably the other. At 6’3” and 205, Gibson will get bigger and probably is destined for an OLB spot, which is a position of need for the Bucks. From Euclid HS, he had 12 sacks last year. LSU and Notre Dame are in early, as well, on Thaddeus.

Jeff Cumberland

From U. of Minnesota territory (Columbus Brookhaven), Cumberland might be the best “pure” tight end prospect in Ohio. At 6’6” and 220, Jeff has 4.55 speed to go with his other skills. Jeff told our Duane Long on Friday that Luke Fickell has, indeed, offered him and that he has offers as well from Minnesota (natch) and Illinois.

Out-of-State Offers for the Class of 2006

Asher Allen

Currently a receiver, running back, cornerback and track star at Tucker High School in Georgia, Asher will play CB at the next level. Home state Georgia is the team to beat but he indicates an interest in the Buckeyes.

Jamar Hornsby

A big (6’4”) DB from Jackson Sandalwood in Florida, he has played on both sides of the ball. All the traditional biggies are in on Jamar. OSU’s edge? He is a teammate of Buckeye commit Maurice Wells.

Jeremiha Hunter

Hunter is a LB/RB who will probably play LB at the next level. He counts OSU in his top five schools and has already camped in Columbus.

Javarris James

One of the nation’s best backs, Florida’s Javarris James is not small but not a big banger, either (205). He has offers from most of the Florida powers already.

Stefan Welsh

Tall wide receiver from Virginia with a dozen early offers from big-time programs.

Myron Rolle

Some have listed Myron as the premier player in the country in this class. Could be a cornerback or a safety; could have as many as 50 offers by this summer!

Antwine Perez

Plays mostly QB in high school but will be a nationally recruited safety at the collegiate level. Already sports offers from Tennessee, OSU, Virginia, Wisconsin and NC State.

Tim Tebow

Rumored to have an offer, Tim is getting attention nationwide. 6’3” and 225 from Florida, he expressed an early interest in Ohio State’s attentions. Fantastic stats (4286 yards throwing, 1266 rushing and 70 touchdowns!), Tim already has 20+ offers. Duane Long is one of a very few that is not overwhelmed with Tim’s mechanics, FWIW.

Sean Hakes

Also rumored to have a Buckeye offer, this Texas QB grew up in Columbus (Dublin). The strange part of the Hakes story is that he only threw 54 passes in 2004 so this next season will tell the tale.

Darrin Walls

Already with a number of official offers, Walls hails from the same high school as current Buckeye receiver Devon Lyons and is “best friends” with Devon’s younger brother (and possible Buckeye recruit) Wesley. Plays both sides but is likely to be a cornerback in college.

James Aldridge

A battering ram of a running back, this Indiana “big back” (6’1” 215) lists OSU and Oklahoma State amongst his passel of offers. He is buddies with Buckeye Nick Patterson and says he wants to commit early and get to school early.

Micah Johnson

A relatively new name on the Buckeye scene, Micah is a 6’2” 260 pound DE who wants to play as a LB (who are we to say no?). From Kentucky, he is a Top 100 kind of kid with a whole bunch of early offers.

JB Walton

When you realize how special this year’s crop of Ohio O-linemen are, an out-of-state kid with an early Buckeye offer has to be pretty special, as well. That’s JB, all 6’3” and 270 pounds of him. From Maryland, he also has a lot of early offers from around the nation.

Other notable names

Mike Hartline

One of three (and the leading candidate at this early date) in the Ohio quarterback derby. We suspect that there will be one schollie available at this position for the Bucks and the 6’5” 190 pound Hartline has a shot. He completed 57% of his passes at Canton GlenOak in 2004 despite not having the services available of his best receiver, Brian Hartline, his brother who committed to Ohio State. Good athlete – great bloodlines!

Miles Schlichter

Speaking of your good bloodlines, Miles is the second of the three potential derby winners. He is the smallest and plays in the most run-oriented offense. But this Miami Trace QB has the poise, athleticism and arm strength to make some noise. Only threw 162 passes in his junior campaign. I feel he is the least likely of the group to end up at OSU.

Nate Davis

Nate is an outstanding athlete out of Bellaire is more of the “Troy Smith” mold that the “Justin Zwick” type. He is 6’3” and 215 and has thrown for 4500 yards his last two seasons.

Rudy Kirbus

An interesting alternative in the derby if the Bucks choose to go that way, Rudy is the “fourth” of the three early QB entrants. From the quarterback factory at Cleveland’s St. Ignatius, Kirby is 6”4” and 190 and runs as well as he throws. Most Iggy QB’s come on their senior season and we will see if Kirby is no exception.

Anthony Elzy

Anthony is the one running back that might be taken in Ohio after Chris Wells has committed; at least at this early juncture. Playing out of Warren Kennedy (not a UM school there!), Elzy is 5’10 and 195. He gained nearly 2500 yards and scored 30 times last year.

Jake Ballard

From Springboro, Jake (6’7”, 245) has been mentioned at positions including DE, LB, OL and TE. He really seems like the prototypical good tight end that could convert to a great offensive tackle. Not yet offered…

Lee Tilley

Huge wing span, quick feet and a whole bunch of early attention, Springfield South’s Tilley is 6”7” and 310 pounds and has those really good feet that a basketball player would have. With scant football behind him, his best potential remains ahead. With his mother an OSU grad, the Buckeyes have to be considered front-runners if they offer.

Mark Jackson

Part of the state championship team at Brookhaven last year, the 6”6” 300-pound Jackson will be an anchor on the offensive line this season as well.

Ryan Palmer

A teammate of the Hartline brothers at Canton GlenOak, Palmer is 6”7” and 280. Yes, there are a bunch of really big and really good O-line candidates from Ohio this year! Ryan is one of them.

And One That Doesn’t Fit Anywhere

David Lighty

David Lighty is probably the best receiver in Ohio and possibly one of the best in the country. So was LeBron James at the same stage. And, as with LeBron, the “problem” with Lighty is that he doesn’t play football anymore! But OSU is recruiting him for basketball and – as with Rickey Dudley – you just never know…

And A Group to Watch Down the Road

Wesley Lyons WR Pittsburgh PA

Chane Moline RB Mission Viejo CA

LeSean McCoy RB Harrisburg PA

David Ausberry WR Lemoore CA

Konrad Reuland TE Mission Viejo CA

Stafon Johnson RB Los Angeles CA

PLAYER POSITION	NUMBER NEEDED	COMMITMENTS	NUMBER STILL NEEDED	PLAYERS I WANT	GRADES SO FAR (BASED ON NEED)
TAILBACK	2	Chris Wells	1	Stafon Johnson, Anthony Elzy, Javarris James, James Aldridge	A-
FULLBACK	1		1	Chane Moline
QUARTERBACK	1		1	Mike Hartline, Miles Schlichter, Tim Tebow, Sean Hakes, Rudy Kirbus, Nate Davis
TIGHT END	2		1	Konrad Rueland, Jeff Cumberland
WIDE RECEIVER	1		1	Jamar Hornsby, Stefan Welsh, Wesley Lyons
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN	4		4	Aaron Brown, Justin Boren, JB Walton, Conner Smith
DEFENSIVE END	1		1	Robert Rose
DEFENSIVE TACKLE	2		2
LINEBACKER	3	Ross Homan	2	Thaddeus Gibson, Jeremiha Hunter, Micah Johnson	B
SAFETY	1		1	Myron Rolle
CORNERBACK	2		2	Ray Small, Antwine Perez, Asher Allen, Jamar Hornsby, Darrin Walls
KICKER/PUNTER	0		0
TOTAL	20	2	18

LEGEND

Red Player: He has already committed

Gray Player: Gray shirt from 2005 that will be part of the 2006 class

Blue Player: I absolutely want this kid!

Green Player: Great potential; I might take him

OSU is amongst the leaders:
Name	POS	School/State	Height	Weight	40
Boren, Justin	OL	Pickerington North, Pickerington OH	6’4”	295	5.00
Brown, Aaron	OL	Princeton HS, Cincinnati OH	6’6”	285	5.10
Jeff Cumberland	TE/DE	Brookhaven HS, Columbus OH	6’6’’	225	4.55
Rose, Robert	DL	Glenville HS, Cleveland OH	6’4”	240	4.70
Small, Ray	DB	Glenville HS, Cleveland OH	6’0”	190	4.40
Smith, Conner	OL	Colerain HS, Cincinnati OH	6’6”	300	5.10

OSU is just one of many
Name	POS	School/State	Height	Weight	40
Aldridge, James	RB	Merrillville HS, Merrillville IN	6’1”	215	4.45
Allen, Asher	DB	Tucker HS, Tucker GA	5’10”	185	4.40
Gibson, Thaddeus	LB	Euclid HS, Euclid OH	6’3”	210	4.50
Hornsby, Jamar	WR	Sandalwood HS, Jacksonville FL	6’4”	195	4.45
Hunter, Jeremiha	RB	Mannheim Central HS, Mannheim PA	6’2”	215	4.55
Johnson, Micah	DL	Fort Campbell HS, Fort Campbell KY	6’2”	260	4.70
Johnson, Stafon	RB	Dorsey HS, Los Angeles CA	6’0”	190	4.40
Perez, Antwine	DB	Woodrow Wilson HS, Camden NJ	6’2”	200	4.50
Rolle, Myron	DB	The Hun HS, Princeton NJ	6’2	210	4.50
Walls, Darrin	DB	Woodland Hills HS, Pittsburgh PA	6’1”	175	4.40
Walton, JB	OL	Lackey HS, Indian Head MD	6’3”	270	5.10

OSU is rumored to have offered
Name	POS	School/State	Height	Weight	40
Hakes, Sean	QB	Nolan HS, Fort Worth, TX	6’4”	195	4.65
Lighty, David	WR/BB	Villa Angela-St. Joe, Cleveland OH	6’5”	180	4.50
Tebow, Tim	QB	Nease HS, St. Augustine FL	6’3”	220	4.60

Committed Somewhere
Name	POS	School/State	Committed School
Homan, Ross	LB	Coldwater HS, Coldwater OH	Ohio State
Wells, Chris	RB	Akron Garfield HS, Akron OH	Ohio State

Well, we are off and running for the Class of 2006. Yes, sports fans, these are kids who – if they graduate on time with their classes – won’t be leaving high school for another 16 months; in June of 2006. But, let the mania begin!

And we will be back to give you our peculiar insights – and to update the charts – early in April.

If you need to reach Mr. Bucknuts before early April with your questions, comments or brickbats, you can always contact him at