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Football Recruiting
Michael’s Sunday Recruiting Rundown
By Michael Chung

(Editor’s Note: This is the latest contribution to the-Ozone for Michael Chung. He has provided OSU recruiting information to several websites in the past, but now will be exclusive to the-Ozone as we look to bring more football recruiting coverage in the coming months. You can follow him on Twitter @MChungOzone).

Two weeks into the college football season Alabama and LSU have separated themselves again from the herd. Will they meet again in a rematch? It would be highly unlikely the BCS would permit, or benefit from, such an occurrence but more shocking things have happened.

Another unfortunate observation after two weeks is that the Big Ten appears to be no closer to catching the SEC for college football dominance, and the B1G will likely not challenge for a BCS title unless Michigan State can run the table and Boise State has its usual 11-1 type season. 

How does this disparity get remedied? It starts with recruiting.  Here is an update on Ohio State’s quest to recruit the top players in the land.

Alex Anzalone (6-3, 229, LB, 2013)
Buckeye fans are sick of hearing about this kid, especially after he de-committed from Ohio State only to quickly pledge to Notre Dame. But Urban Meyer has not forgotten him. I checked in with Alex to see if coach Meyer still calls. Indeed, Meyer called Anzalone recently to check in on how he was doing, mentioned he loved his family and that he will always have a home at Ohio State. When I asked Anzalone how Brian Kelly’s future would impact his decision, he responded that one commits to a school not a coach but if something happened with Kelly, it would have “weight.”

Tyquan Lewis (6-3, 225, DE, 2013)
There are only a few more weeks of updates for this OSU target before he announces his college choice. It was reported previously that he would announce his decision on Sept. 20, and I was able to confirm with Lewis that Sept. 20 is indeed the date. Until that days rolls around, it would be shocking if he chose anywhere else other than Ohio State. North Carolina and LSU are still in the mix, but I look for him to be the 17th commit in the 2013 class. He would be a welcomed addition to an already stacked DL recruiting class of Billy Price, Tracy Sprinkle and Joey Bosa. He said he will announce at his school and is waiting for his coach to make final preparations. Time is scheduled for 4 p.m. but could change.

Dorian Johnson (6-6, 285, OT, 2013)
Don’t expect any news on this fellow anytime soon. It sounds like he is still recovering from his Penn State de-commitment. Kevin Gorman of the Tribune-Review writes:

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Johnson said he is now considering Pitt, Ohio State and Virginia Tech.

Johnson said he will wait until after the season to make his college choice, though he doesn’t want to announce when he plays in the Under Armour All-American Game Jan. 4 in Orlando, Fla.

“I want to get it done before then. I don’t want to go on TV and do it.”

Johnson says Pitt is his favorite “right now,” thanks in part to his relationship with offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph and the lack of depth on the offensive line.

[Editor's Note: Edited for fair usage.]

With Pitt as his leader, the 2013 class filling up fast, and Johnson taking his time, I wouldn’t expect him to be a part of the 2013 class. But if he changes his mind, Urban and company will welcome him with open arms. His chances of playing quickly are probably greater at Pitt, given their recent loss to Youngstown State. Ohio State is in the final three along with Pitt and Va. Tech, but I would look for Johnson to end up at Pitt.

Vonn Bell (6-1, 190, DB, 2013)
Bell’s high school coach, Mark Mariakas, has stated that Bell’s final 3 are Alabama, Tennessee and Ohio State. It’s no secret Ohio State and its fans are very high on Bell. Ever since he lit up the June camp, where he was clearly one of the top players, Buckeye Nation has coveted this 60th ranked player on ESPN’s top 150. Current 2013 commit Darron Lee has been trying to recruit Bell to join him at Ohio State. In a recent interview with Nick Glass, a Georgia commit, he mentioned to me he believes Bell will chose Tennessee based on the fact that the Vols were Bell’s favorite team growing up.

Demetrius Knox ( (6-5, 300, OL, 2014)
2014 promises to be a banner year for O-line recruits and Knox is at or near the top. People have been stating that it is between Ohio State and Texas. He was gracious to do an interview with me during the Alabama vs. Michigan game. Here is what he has to say about Ohio State’s chances of landing him:

Johnnie Dixon (6-0, 175, WR, 2014)
In a recent O-zone interview, the Florida speedster said he has been told he would have a special role if he committed to Ohio State. He claims there is no leader at the moment, and is focused on the season, but right now he seems to have the best relationships with the coaching staff of the University of Miami.  He also has formed a good relationship with Florida head coach Will Muschamp. If I had to list a leaderboard for Dixon right now, it would have Miami No. 1 and Florida No. 2, with the Buckeyes somewhere in that next group, but Dixon did not sound too strong on his list right now.

Orlando “Zeus” Brown Jr. (6-9, 376, OT, 2014)
Son of a former NFL offensive tackle Orlando “Zeus” Brown Sr., Brown Jr. is also a massive offensive tackle. His father was part of the infamous scene in which an official threw a penalty flag that hit Brown’s father in the eye. Brown Sr.’s eyesight was so damaged that he was not able to play for three seasons. Suing the NFL, the case was settled out of court.  Zeus Jr. is a very mature young man, having the poise of an adult –  well spoken and respectful.

He has stated there is no current leader but he grew up a fan of the Oklahoma Sooners. Though the Sooners have not offered, he would relish Bob Stoops to open up the scholarships and send it down to Georgia. Even though he has no official leader, and has said that all schools are equal, my guess is that his top 2 right now are currently Oklahoma and Iowa. He had a great visit to Ohio State,  but is unsure if they will receive an official visit this fall. He went to the same high school, Peachtree Ridge, down in Georgia that produced Buckeyes Cameron Heyward and Bradley Roby, and has developed a friendship with Roby.

Jonathan Haden (5-8, 190, RB, 2014)
News is very good for this top-tier RB out of Maryland. With a brother Joe already in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, and another brother playing at Toledo, Haden already has family in Ohio. His family loves Urban Meyer and he has known Meyer since his brother Joe was being recruited to play at UF. He said in a recent O-Zone interview that Ohio State is his current leader and if he had to make the choice right now, Ohio State is where he would commit.

Marshon Lattimore (6-0, 185, DB/WR 2014)
How can one report on Ohio State recruiting without mentioning a young man from Cleveland Glenville? Lattimore is lighting up the statistics and recently struggled with cramping after a game due to all the running he was doing on big plays.

Joe Maxse of the Plain Dealer writes:

...the versatile junior put on quite a highlight reel of plays as the Tarblooders pulled away from host Solon, 40-17, at Stewart Field. The wide receiver used his sticky fingers to haul in three touchdown passes and used his sturdy legs to run 80 yards for another score. He also found time to throw a two-point conversion pass.

[Editor's Note: Edited for fair usage.]

He already has an Ohio State offer and a source that knows Lattimore says he is very interested. With De’van Bogard already in the fold, it would be hard not see Marshon continue the tradition of Glenville’s pipeline to Ohio State. Does this mean Chris Worley is a Buckeye? He also has an offer and is Marshon’s teammate.

That’s all for now, but be sure to check back next week for another installment of our Sunday Recruiting Rundown, where we always have reports and updates on recruits Ohio State has offered, or may offer in the near future.

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