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Welcome back for another edition of “A-Deck” at BuckeyeGrove.com, presented by Infinit Nutrition, where I’ll bring you thoughts, what I’m hearing, inside scoop, tidbits, and more for Ohio State recruiting and team coverage, every Wednesday.
Last week’s A-Deck had an update on top Ohio State 2020 target, looked at some underclassmen the Buckeyes are targeting, had buzz on a coaching candidate, and got some scoop on how the team felt with their College Football Playoff seeding.
This week, we look at the future of the defensive back room and analyze how the Buckeyes did in the Early Signing Period
HOW LONG WILL BIA BE BIA?
The defensive back room at Ohio State is a hot item of discussion this past week. Co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Jeff Hafley accepted the Boston College head coaching job, Clark Phillips flipped to Utah, and Cameron Martinez is now waiting to sign his letter of intent in February and could be making visits to other schools. All of that on top of the fact that the Buckeyes could very well lose their entire starting secondary this year, as well as a few others to transfer, if you believe some of the rumors out there.
While some are dismissing this as a minor problem, I think it has the potential to have longer-term significant impact. I’m not saying this is a disaster by any means, but if both Jeff Okudah and Shaun Wade go to the NFL, the Buckeyes are fairly thin in the secondary next year, with Cameron Brown, Sevyn Banks, Amir Riep, Marcus Williamson, and Tyreke Johnson being the only corners on the roster returning, and Josh Proctor, Ronnie Hickman, Bryson Shaw, and Marcus Hooker being the returning safeties (Jahsen Wint is a bullet, as is Brendon White, who is likely transferring). And that’s not counting any of those guys potentially transferring for whatever reason.
Yes, the Buckeyes are bringing in Ryan Watts, Lejond Cavazos, Lathan Ransom, and possibly Martinez into the fold, but while that adds some good young talent to the room, it doesn’t do anything as far as experience goes. Additionally, none of those guys are sure-fire corners (Ransom and Martinez are definitely safeties; I think Watts is a corner; Cavazos could go either way), which makes that spot more of an issue versus safety (not to mention OSU now plays a 1-high system). Should Banks, Brown, or Proctor be able to jump to the NFL after the 2020 season, depth will once again be pretty thin entering the 2021 campaign.
With that said, my point here isn’t to be Mr. Doom & Gloom. The point is to show just how important bringing Martinez into the fold is, adding another defensive back (a corner) in the 2020 class is, and how significant recruitment of the secondary will be in the 2021 class.
As for Martinez, Northwestern appears to be the main threat here, although I am sure other schools will try to get into the mix. I think when it comes to Cam, he knew he wasn’t enrolling early, and decided he would just be more comfortable waiting to see who gets hired to replace Hafley before signing, as long as he didn’t have to just yet. Being completely objective, it was probably the right move. That said, it’s not a good sign at all if you are Ohio State. You obviously want this wrapped up and done now versus later, but I wouldn’t say it’s over for the Buckeyes either, just because he’s having some second thoughts. As of today, I think Martinez does want to be at Ohio State, but that sentiment could definitely change based on his visit to Northwestern (and maybe other schools), as well as who OSU signs to replace Hafley. Obviously this hire is big for so many reasons, but one of the first duties for whoever gets the job will be to make sure Martinez is comfortable playing for him.
On to the next item of business, in losing Phillips and looking at future depth, I am of the opinion that Ohio State should add another corner to the class, if they can, over the next six weeks. They certainly can look to see who is in the transfer portal both now and after bowl season, and that could end up being the best option, but they also could look to bring in someone who didn’t sign this week. Qian Magwood is someone they’ve kept the seat warm with, and I know Marc and I both think there is a solid shot he could get an offer for all of the reasons listed out here. Surely new names could enter the mix in the next month and a half, so sit tight and see what happens there.
Finally, looking at 2021, it will be critical to recruit really well at cornerback, and add a safety or two as well. Just like how the offensive line was a priority in this cycle, I expect the secondary to be the priority next cycle. Some corner targets, as things stand, include Tony Grimes, Hunter Washington, Andre Turrentine, Jakailin Johnson, Avante Dickerson, and Jordan Hancock, among others. Some of the safety targets are Bryce Steele, Derrick Davis, Hunter Wohler, AJ Kirk, Jaylen Johnson, and Tysheem Johnson, to name a few. There are sure to be others, you can bank that, and you can also bank that Ohio State will be going after them really hard.
GRADING THE CLASS (SO FAR)
While the Buckeyes won’t be done wrapping up this class until February Signing Day, I thought I’d give some thoughts/grades on how they’re doing thus far, with 24 players having signined letters of intent on Wednesday.
QB-A+: The Buckeyes got one of their top targets in Jack Miller early and when they realized they needed two in this class, they didn’t settle for someone who won’t really every play in Columbus. They went out and got a top 50 prospect in CJ Stroud. Even more impressive than landing both of those guys was convincing Miller to stick with them even with Stroud coming, and getting Stroud to come with Miller already there.
RB-C+: I think Miyan Williams can be a really solid player at Ohio State, but he’s not the combo of Bijan Robinson and Jaylan Knighton that it looked like they were getting back in June. If the Buckeyes can add Jahmyr Gibbs to the fold, they will receive a nice bump here in February.
WR-A+: Getting Julian Fleming, Gee Scott Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Mookie Cooper could be the best haul at this position of all time. Enough said.
TE-B: Originally Ohio State was going to take two in this class, but decided they only needed one after seeing Joe Royer work out at a June camp. Royer should be a very solid player for the Buckeyes.
OL-B+: This unit is anchored by Paris Johnson Jr., who in my opinion is the best tackle in America. Luke Wypler should be pretty darn good for Ohio State too, but then I think there are some prospects that could go either way in Josh Fryar, Grant Toutant, Jakob James, and Trey Leroux. The numbers were strong and where they needed to be, but I see only one, maybe two studs in the class, and the other guys “good to have” but not “must have” guys (as we look at them today). Would have liked to have seen one more “must have” guy, but they get a B+ for landing Johnson and Wypler, and getting six solid talents who all have potential to start at OSU one day.
DL-B: I thought they needed an elite pass rusher this year and they didn’t get one, so I give this group a B. I do think that Jacolbe Cowan, Darrion Henry, Ty Hamilton, and Mitchell Melton (yes, going to count him here) will be good players for the Bucks, though.
LB-A-: I have Kourt Williams and Cody Simon here. I think that’s a really good haul, especially when it wasn’t a huge need for the Buckeyes in this class. Both players should have very successful careers at Ohio State.
DB-B+: I really like Lathan Ransom, Ryan Watts, and Lejond Cavazos, but losing Clark Phillips hurt and we can’t count Cameron Martinez in just yet. Would love to see Ohio State land another DB in this class in January, as well as keep Martinez in the fold.
ST-A+: The Buckeyes didn’t necessarily need to add a kicker or punter in this class, but Ohioan Jake Seibert Was too good to pass up. Rivals has him as the best kicker in America, so how does that not get an A+?
