2002 Verbal Commitment List

Names in Red have returned signed Letters on Intent to Ohio State.
Maurice Clarett RB 6-1 230 4.47 Warren, Ohio Considered a top 100 player nationally by most recruiting services. Great blend of size and speed. Plans to graduate in December and enroll at Ohio State in January. Commited to Ohio State immediately upon hearing that Jim Tressel was named head coach. Missed half of his junior season due to an injury but still rushed for over 1,000 yards. Outstanding student. Named the Offensive Player of the Year nationally by USA Today and The Touchdown Club of Columbus. Rushed for 2,200 yards averaging over 12 yards per carry his senior season. Enroled at OSU winter quarter, but will undergo surgery on his thumb which may limit him some this spring. Scored 40 touchdowns as a senior.
Justin Zwick QB 6-4 215 4.7 Massilon,Ohio Said to be the best QB prospect to come out of the state of Ohio since Art Schlichter. One of the top QB prospects in the nation. As a freshman at Orrville High School he compled 135 of 269 passes for 50%, 2,202 yards, 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions and led his team to the Divsion IV state championship. Transfered to Massilon Washington for his sophomore season where he was 165 of 327 for 50%, 2,557 yards, 29 TD, and 13 ints. As a Jr, he was 191 of 346, 55% 2,460 yards, 23 TD 9 int. Hon Mention All State Div 4 as a freshman. Div 1 first team his Jr. year. Outstanding student with 3.83 GPA..
R.J. Coleman TE 6-6 250 4.8 Clarksburg, W.V. Caught 13 passes this past season for 375 yards, averaging 28.8 yards per grab. He scored five times. Coleman also plays baseball and throws the shot and discus in track. Has a 3.4 GPA. Had offers on the table from Michigan, Penn State, Purdue, Nebraska, Notre Dame and others. Said that Michigan and Penn State probably were next in line after OSU. One of the premier tight ends in the country.
Joel Penton DE 6-5 235 4.8 Van Wert, Ohio Was named to the first team Divsion-III all-state team as a junior. 3.9 GPA. Also earned second team all-league honors as an offensive guard. Registered 93 tackles including eight sacks and 10 TFLs.
T.J. Downing OL 6-5 280 4.9 Canton, Ohio Stood out at the OSU senior camp and was offered a scholarship by the Buckeyes. Son of former Michigan All-American and NFL great Walt Downing. Scholarship offers from Michigan, Purdue, Illinois and Pittsburgh, but chose the Buckeyes. 3.0 GPA. Strength of his game is pass blocking and technique.
E. J. Underwood DB 6-1 175 4.45 Hamilton, Ohio One of the top two DB prospects in Ohio. He made 70 tackles and had five interceptions as a junior. He will play CB for OSU. He has a 2.7 GPA and a 27 on the ACT. Participated in the OSU senior camp.
Doug Datish OL 6-5 285 5.0 Warren, Ohio Considered by many to be the top OL in Ohio and one of the best in the nation. Son of former Buckeye offensive lineman Mike Datish. Chose Ohio State over Colorado, Michigan, Tennessee and Notre Dame all of which had offered a scholarship. Easily qualified academically with a 3.5 GPA and a 23 on the ACT.
Jay Richardson DE 6-5 240 4.8 Dublin, Ohio Another prospect that got a look at the OSU senior camp and ended up with a scholarship offer. Has a 2.1 GPA and a 21 on the ACT. Had 75 tackles and 15 TFLs as a junior. Had scholarship offers from OSU, Michigan State, Penn State, Kentucky, Clemson, B.C., S. Carolina, Pitt and others. He had narrowed things down to OSU and Michigan State and chose the Buckeyes.
A.J. Hawk LB 6-2 230 4.6 Centerville, Ohio Four-year starter at Centerville. Had over 140 tackles in each of his three years as a starter. Extremely hard hitter that was offered a scholarship after his showing in the OSU senior camp. As a freshman made 142 tackles. As a sophomore in 12 games he made 192 tackles and last year he made 169 tackles in 10 games. Has a 3.0 GPA and scored a 20 on the ACT. Chose OSU over Penn State.
Rob Sims OL 6-4 290 5.1 Macedonia, Ohio Big guy with great feet. Showed extremely well at the OSU senior camp. Many high school coaches in attendance at that camp felt he was the best there and possibly the best in the state. Considered Wisconsin, Michigan and Notre Dame but ended up with the Buckeyes.Played OG in high school.3.0 GPA. His father, Rob Sims Sr. played DT for the Cleveland Brown from 1977 to 1979.
Nick Mangold OL 6-4 265 5.05 Kettering Alter Another lineman that was at the OSU camp. Impressed onlookers with his ability to use his hands and move his feet. Probably a center or guard candidate. Chose Ohio State over Notre Dame. 3.2 GPA.
Tyler Everett DB 6-1 185 4.47 Canton McKinley Rated the second-best defensive back in Ohio by Ohio Football Recruiting News. Was outstanding in OSU's summer camp where he ran 4.47 and exhibited tremendous athleticism. Has exceptional break on the ball. According to his high school coach, is very tough and has played with a broken vertebra as well as a broken leg. Could play either safety or corner.
Mike Kudla LB 6-4 235 4.5 Medina, Ohio Regarded as one of the top prospects in the state of Ohio this year. Will play either linebacker or speed-rush defensive end as a Buckeye. Incredible physical talent. Runs consistent 4.5 and has run 4.46. Bench presses 485 pounds and squats 600. Has done 31 bench press reps of 225 pounds. Also has a 37" vertical leap. Has a 3.86 GPA and a 29 on the ACT.
Michael Roberts DB 5-11 175 4.35 Toronto, Ontario, Canada An unknown is recruiting circles since his High School, Toronto Central Tech, does not have a football team. Played his high-school level football with a club team, the Toronto Thunder. Was an absolute standout at the OSU summer camp running a 4.35 40. Was offered a scholarship by Ohio State at that camp. Also attended camp at Tennessee. The Vols were very interested but Roberts committed to the Buckeyes before they had a chance to offer a scholarship. Has a 2.6 GPA. Most likely a cover corner prospect.
Tim Schaffer DE 6-5 250 Upper Arlington,Ohio Extremely athletic DE who played opposite current Buckeye DE Simon Fraser on a state championship team. Is expected to grow and could very well grow into a DT or NG prospect. Excellent student with a 3.7 GPA and a 23 on the ACT. Has a "take no prisoners" attitude on the field. Had over 15 scholarship offers including offers from from Northwestern, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Michigan.
Roy Hall WR 6-3 200 4.4 Lyndhurst, Ohio

Considered the top WR prospect in the state of Ohio this year by both Bill Kurelic and John McCallister. Big, physical reciever that can run. Chose Ohio State over Georgia Tech and Northwestern. Caught 47 passes as a sophomore. Was injured his junior season with an ankle problem and caught only 17. Outstanding student with a 3.8 GPA and 23 on the ACT.

Stan White Jr. LB/TE 6-3 235 4-6 Baltimore, MD. Rated as a top 100 player by virtually every scouting and recruiting service. He is a two-way player that could play either tight end or linebacker at the college level. Outstanding student with a 3.88 GPA and 1390 on SAT. For the season White had 153 tackles, 3 interceptions, 5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 5 fumbles recovered, 4 fumbles caused, and 14 pass breakups. On offense he had 33 receptions for 578 yards and 3 TDs in his role as a tight end and lead blocking H-Back. Ohio State is recruiting him as a linebacker, while Stanford wanted him as a TE. He is the son of former Buckeye Stan White Sr. who was a Buckeye All-American and NFL standout as a linebacker.
Mike D'Andrea LB 6-3 230 4.55 Avon Lake, Ohio Rated the number one linebacker in the state of Ohio and the number one prospect overall in the state of Ohio this year by Bill Kurelic. Rated one of the best linebacker prospects in the country by most scouting services. Amazing physical specimen. Chose OSU over Nebraska in a tight race. Good student with 3.6 GPA and 1060 on the SAT. Finished the season with close to 150 tackles and three interceptions. (more to follow)
Brandon Micthell WR/DB 6-3 185 4.5 Atlanta, Georgia Made 69 solo tackles and had 9 interceptions as a senior. Also caught 34 passes and scored 9 times as a receiver. Great combination of size, speed and athletic ability. 3.8 GPA and 1100 on SAT.
Quinn Pitcock DT 6-4 285 4.8 Piqua, Ohio Regarded as the top DL prospect in Ohio this year, and one of the best in the nation. Recorded 86 tackles and 15 sacks as a senior. Exceptional speed for a big man. Has a 3.5 GPA and scored a 20 on the ACT. Chose OSU over Penn State.
Nate Salley DB 6-3 180 4.5 Fort Lauderdale, Fl. Played both safety and cornerback his senior season, and could also play either of those positions at the next level. Extremely athletic. A very good basketball player that is considering participating in both sports at OSU. Has 50 tackles and one INT as a senior. Has a 3.5 GPA and scored a 960 on the SAT.
Santonio Holmes WR 5-11 178 4.45 Belle Glades, Fl. Caught 32 passes in the regular season and 45 overall playing for a team that finished 12-1. Scored 13 times. Has a 3.3 GPA and scored an 18 on the ACT. Chose Ohio State over North Carolina State. Was not as heralded as some other Florida receivers, but those who know Florida football say he is as talented as any other receiver in the Sunshine State.
Bobby Carpenter LB 6-3 235 4.6 Lancaster, Ohio. Had an outstanding senior season with 109 tackles and seven sacks. Also intercepted one pass which he returned for a touchdown. Son of Rob Carpenter who played for Miami of Ohio and in the NFL.. Outstanding student with a 3.9 GPA and a 25 on the ACT. Is also a competitive swimmer. Was coached by his father in high school. Originally was a heavy lean to OSU, but waited to see the composition of the OSU coaching staff after Tressel was hired before making and decision. Was the last Ohioan to commit to the Buckeyes.
Troy Smith QB 6-1 205 4.55 Cleveland, Ohio Outstanding athlete that could contribute at any number of positions, but will come to OSU hoping to get a look at QB. Impressed the OSU coaching staff in summer camp. Accounted for over 1400 all-purpose yards as a senior. Very impressive in the "Elite 11" summer camp in California for quarterbacks. Chose OSU over West Virginia. Must raise his test score to be eligible next season.
Derek Morris OL 6-6 340 5.1 Huntersville, North Carolina One of the most sought after offensive line prospects in the nation. Has the potential to contribute as a true freshman. Great size with long arms and tremendous power. Bench presses 485 and squats close to 700. GPA is close to 3.0 but must raise his test score to be eligible. Personal goal is to be the Freshman of the Year in the Big Ten. Was released from his letter of intent by OSU five games into the season when he had failed to qualify academically by that time.

The average GPA of this recruiting class to date is 3.32 *. The GPA breakdown of the class is as follows.

Justin Zwick 3.83
R.J. Coleman 3.40
Joel Penton 3.90
T.J. Downing 3.00
E.J. Underwood 2.70
Doug Datish 3.50
Jay Richardson 2.10
A.J. Hawk 3.00
Rob Sims 3.00
Maurice Clarett 3.50
Nick Mangold 3.20
Tyler Everett 3.20
Mike Kudla 3.86
Michael Roberts 2.60
Tim Schaffer 3.70
Roy Hall 3.80
Stan White Jr. 3.88
Mike D'Andrea 3.60
Brandon Mitchell 3.80
Quinn Pitcock 3.50
Nate Salley 3.50
Bobby Carpenter 3.90
Troy Smith 2.90
Derek Morris 2.90

Commitment Breakdown:

QB - 2
RB - 1
TE - 1
OL - 5
DE - 3
LB - 5
DB - 5
WR- 2
DT-1

* Based on the information given to various recruiting sources, averaged, and rounded to the nearest 1/100th point.

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