Football Recruiting
Looking Forward: 2014 Running Backs
By Tony Gerdeman
Ohio State is looking to add two running backs in the 2014 class, and expect them to target one "big" back and one "small" back. The big back will need to be able to handle a bit of a load, and the small back will need to play out of the slot here and there and catch some passes as well.
Currently, five big backs and four small backs have been offered according to the various recruiting services. Three of the four small backs have stated that Ohio State leads for their services. It's not clear how many of these offers are "committable", but the Buckeyes shouldn't have a problem finding a smaller back who can also play in the slot.
Finding the big back could be a much tougher proposition. Tennessee's Jalen Hurd would appear to be the number one target on the board, and he is very interested in the Buckeyes. The question is whether or not the coaches would even accept a commitment from a big back that isn't Hurd right now.
There is still a lot to shake out, so while we wait, here are a dozen names that you'll need to remember.
Jalen Hurd (6-2 210) Hendersonville TN (Uncommitted)
#2 RB per 247 Sports, #7 RB per Scout
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Hurd is a national recruit with offers from everywhere, including Ohio State. While his top two has changed from month to month, the Buckeyes have remained. OSU is battling Florida and Alabama, as well as everyone else in the SEC. Hurd rushed for a state record 3,357 yards this past season, including a state record 394 yards in the state championship game. He is a tall running back, but is still able to run low in traffic. Urban Meyer has visited recently, and the OSU staff will recruit Hurd relentlessly. He has already committed to playing in next year's Army All-American game. Highlights
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Derrell Scott (5-11 175) Havelock NC (Uncommitted)
#1 All Purpose Back per 247 Sports, #11 RB per Scout
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Scott has offers from Ohio State, South Carolina, Florida State, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. The Buckeyes are in his top three. Scott claims a 4.42 40-yard best. He compares himself to DeAnthony Thomas, and with his speed, it's not an outrageous comparison. He rushed for 1,742 yards and 34 touchdowns this season in leading his team to a state championship. Has the ability to play running back as well as slot receiver, which would fit Ohio State's offense well. Highlights
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Myles Autry (5-9 175) Norcross GA (Uncommitted)
#16 ATH per 247 Sports, #18 RB per Scout |
| Ohio State currently leads for Autry, who also has offers from Florida State, Georgia, Nebraska, Penn State, Miami (FL), Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. A teammate of All-American running back Alvin Kamara, Autry's versatility was put on display in a number of ways, rushing for 560 yards and catching passes for over 600 yards this past season. He's also a dynamic returner who could see action in that capacity immediately in college. He will likely have many more touches in 2013, so Autry has really only shown a portion of what he is capable of. His ability to play in the slot and also run the ball makes him one of the top targets at running back for the Buckeyes. Autry is one of a brood of 2014 Georgia recruits who all have Ohio State high on their personal lists. Highlights |
Parris Campbell (6-0 179) Akron OH (Uncommitted)
Unranked per 247 Sports and Scout |
| According to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary head coach Dan Boardman, Campbell has an Ohio State offer. Though according to Campbell himself, he doesn't. Regardless, there is clearly mutual interest here. He was extremely impressive in the state championship game, rushing for 168 yards and three touchdowns in a victory. Urban Meyer was on hand to witness that performance personally. It's hard to imagine anybody other than OSU leading if or when there is a committable offer in hand. He rushed for 1,353 yards this past season, and has a personal best of 10.92 in the 100m and 22.33 in the 200M. Campbell is also the teammate of nationally-recruited 2014 linebacker Dante Booker. Highlights |
Jonathan Haden (5-8 180) Washington DC (Uncommitted)
#8 All Purpose Back per 247 Sports, NR per Scout
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Haden has offers from Ohio State and North Carolina, and has declared Ohio State his leader. His brother Joe played at Florida under Urban Meyer and is now a Cleveland Brown. His brother Jordan currently plays at Toledo. These are all factors leading to Ohio State's current spot at the top. His running style compares favorably to current Buckeye Jordan Hall. He rushed for over 1,000 yards this season. Highlights
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Elijah Hood (5-11 209) Charlotte NC (Uncommitted)
#9 Athlete per 247 Sports, #13 RB per Scout
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Hood has an Ohio State offer and just received a Michigan offer as well. Along with those two, he also has offers from Clemson, Virginia Tech, Stanford, South Carolina, Notre Dame and North Carolina. Hood rushed for 3,309 yards and 48 touchdowns in 2012. OSU is in his top five, but Notre Dame might be the best bet to lure Hood out of the area. He ran a 4.55 at a Nike Combine last year. Highlights
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Nick Chubb (5-11 208) Cedartown GA (Uncommitted)
#15 RB per 247 Sports, #39 RB per Scout |
| Chubb was recently offered by Georgia, which will make him a tough pull for anybody else. He even looks like the typical Bulldogs running back. He also has offers from Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Tennessee and Purdue. This past season he rushed for 2,717 yards and 39 touchdowns. Highlights |
Tony James (5-10 170) Gainesville FL (Uncommitted)
#12 All Purpose Back per 247 Sports, NR per Scout
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It will be tough to get James to leave Gainesville, and even tougher to get him to leave the state. Despite that, however, Ohio State leads in this battle per 247 Sports. James also has offers from Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami and UCLA. He rushed for 1,130 yards on 111 carries in 2012. He is very comfortable carrying the ball from the slot, which would bode well for his future interest in the Buckeyes. He ran a 4.37 at Florida's camp back in the summer. Highlights
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Jonathan Hilliman (6-1 210) Jersey City NJ (Uncommitted)
#33 RB per 247 Sports, #27 RB per Scout
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Hilliman has a wide range of offers, spanning every kind of offense under the sun. Ohio State, Georgia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Oregon, Penn State, Nebraska, Rutgers, Michigan and Miami (FL) are just some of his offers. He is a blue collar, downhill runner with the necessary shake to be an effective tailback in any type of offense. Hilliman will be visiting Ohio State on February 10th. He is the cousin of former Buckeye defensive end Cameron Heyward. He rushed for 1,400 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2012. Highlights
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Donte Williams (6-0 209) Durham NC (Uncommitted)
NR per 247 Sports, #30 RB per Scout
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Williams appears to be very under the radar when it comes to the recruiting services, but the college coaches know all about him. Ohio State has offered Williams, as have Clemson, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Purdue and Virginia Tech. Williams attends the same high school (Hillside) as Buckeye linebacker Jamal Marcus. Hillside also has one of the nation's top receivers in Trevion Thompson, who has OSU in his top three. Highlights
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Mikale Wilbon (5-9 195) Chicago IL (Uncommitted)
#12 RB per 247 Sports, NR per Scout
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Ohio State has not yet offered Wilbon, but they have been in contact. He attended the Michigan-Ohio State game in November and enjoyed the experience. He has offers from Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Purdue, Mississippi State and Arizona State. He was injured near the middle of the season, but still rushed for 863 yards and 12 touchdowns. Despite the injury, he was named All-Chicago Catholic League. He is also the teammate of OSU OL offer Jamarco Jones. Highlights
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Mikel Horton (6-1 225) West Chester OH (Uncommitted)
Not Ranked per 247 Sports, #17 RB per Scout
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Horton's only offers are from Indiana and Kentucky, but it is still very early. He is a big tailback, but is still fairly raw. Horton compares to a less polished Bri'onte Dunn. Ohio State and other Big Ten teams are in contact, but no offers have come yet. Perhaps the Spartans will step in and get another Le'Veon Bell.
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2014 Quarterbacks
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