Been spending my afternoon gathering as much information here as possible. I think it's time we start to consider the possibility that Ohio State is only going to take one linebacker in this class.
When the Buckeyes landed four-star linebacker Tuf Borland a couple of weeks ago it was a surprise to everyone, including the Ohio State coaches I am told. Borland and Carter Coughlin were 1 and 1a on the staff's board and Coughlin was considered a bit of a coin flip and Borland was considered a long shot. Borland's commitment has changed the approach at linebacker recruiting.
Within that, the staff had been working to speed up the process with St. Clairsville product Brendan Ferns. I wouldn't go as far as to say that an ultimatum was put on the table, but there was a desire on OSU's end to figure this out and figure it out quickly.
I am told that won't be happening and that it now doesn't look like Ferns will be in this class at this point.
I know the staff still likes Aaron Hansford, but again, they liked a lot of these guys a lot more when they had zero linebackers and thought they were going to strike out on both Coughlin and Borland. I think OSU will probably hold firm here at one linebacker at least through the summer. I am sure they will bring in some other guys to look at in June and if anyone blows them away they can juggle the numbers around a bit and take a second guy.
Certainly if Daelin Hayes became more open in his recruitment or one of the national kids wanted to visit in the fall, Ohio State would accommodate there but I think the surprise Borland commitment has really changed the way of thinking inside the WHAC at this position and just looking at the overall numbers in this class and the 85 total, a scholarship may be better used at bigger areas of need.
When the Buckeyes landed four-star linebacker Tuf Borland a couple of weeks ago it was a surprise to everyone, including the Ohio State coaches I am told. Borland and Carter Coughlin were 1 and 1a on the staff's board and Coughlin was considered a bit of a coin flip and Borland was considered a long shot. Borland's commitment has changed the approach at linebacker recruiting.
Within that, the staff had been working to speed up the process with St. Clairsville product Brendan Ferns. I wouldn't go as far as to say that an ultimatum was put on the table, but there was a desire on OSU's end to figure this out and figure it out quickly.
I am told that won't be happening and that it now doesn't look like Ferns will be in this class at this point.
I know the staff still likes Aaron Hansford, but again, they liked a lot of these guys a lot more when they had zero linebackers and thought they were going to strike out on both Coughlin and Borland. I think OSU will probably hold firm here at one linebacker at least through the summer. I am sure they will bring in some other guys to look at in June and if anyone blows them away they can juggle the numbers around a bit and take a second guy.
Certainly if Daelin Hayes became more open in his recruitment or one of the national kids wanted to visit in the fall, Ohio State would accommodate there but I think the surprise Borland commitment has really changed the way of thinking inside the WHAC at this position and just looking at the overall numbers in this class and the 85 total, a scholarship may be better used at bigger areas of need.
