Bill Kurelic, January 1 through 18 January 18, 1999 As I mentioned earlier today, OL Bryce Bishop (FL) still has OHIO STATE as his leader. And LB Matt Farrior (VA) got back from his PENN STATE visit this afternoon and told me, "It went fine at Penn State, but there's not much to do there. OHIO STATE is still my leader with VIRGINIA still second. I'll visit FLORIDA this weekend, then make a decision." And it looks very good for the Buckeyes to land WR Maurice Harris (FL). Harris told me today, "I liked it at TENNESSEE, but OHIO STATE is probably where I'll end up. I might commit to them by Thursday. If I don't I'll visit MIAMI this weekend, then announce a decision on Monday. But I'm probably going to Ohio State." If they Buckeyes can add Bishop, Farrior, and Harris to this class, it would be a huge, huge boost! January 18, 1999 On the other hand the Buckeyes continue
to lead for OL Bryce Bishop (FL). Bryce
told me this morning, "I liked it at FLORIDA, but
OHIO STATE is still my leader. Florida is second with
FLORIDA STATE third. Two players the Buckeyes would love to land are currently on official visits elsewhere. WR Jason Geathers (FL) is at WEST VIRGINIA right now while LB Matt Farrior (VA) will be finishing up a visit to PENN STATE today. January 18, 1999 Also in case you missed it, on my Ohio State commitment list, early Sunday afternoon I posted the commitment of FB Nate Stead (OH) and a little while later posted the commitment of WR Ricky Bryant (MI). Here's the news on those two as well plenty of other news from a very busy Sunday. The Buckeyes have landed a commitment from FB Nate Stead (6'0 258) from Marion Harding High School. Stead told me, "I'm going to OHIO STATE. My visit was great. Everything really impressed me. All the resources they have are tremendous. I'll play fullback there." Marcus Perez was Nate's host this past weekend. Nate, who missed a couple of games with a knee injury, rushed for 471 yards this year. I've previously mentioned that I felt there was a good chance WR Ricky Bryant (MI) would commit to Ohio State this past weekend as well, and he did just that. Bryant, who was hosted by Percy King, told me "I committed to OHIO STATE. With David Boston and Dee Miller leaving, it's a perfect time to go there. I was going to visit PURDUE, but not now. I really like the coaches at Ohio State too, especially the wide receivers coach (Chuck Stobart). Plus I lived in Ohio. I lived in Centerville for three years. I guess it's going to be kind of interesting around here now with my brother (Kevin) being on Michigan's team." DB Brian Mance (SC) was another out-of-state prospect to visit OHIO STATE this past weekend. He did not commit to the Buckeyes though his visit seemed to go pretty well. However Mance has already begun an official visit to SOUTH CAROLINA, going there from Columbus. He also has GEORGIA scheduled for January 22nd. LB Patrick Fleming (SC) is another player from the state of South Carolina who visited OHIO STATE this past weekend. He has previously visited CLEMSON, and like Brian Mance, was going straight from his Ohio State visit for a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday visit to SOUTH CAROLINA. Two other schools he is considering are APPALACHIAN STATE (January 29th) and CITADEL. FB Terrance Glover (6'0 240 4.6) from Hamilton West High in Trenton, New Jersey also visited OHIO STATE this past weekend. He was hosted by Jonathan Wells. Glover, who rushed for 1130 yards and 15 TD's this year, told me, "I liked it pretty good at Ohio State. They have a good coaching staff and good facilities. My next visit is to PENN STATE (January 23rd) and then to KANSAS STATE (January 29th)." Two Ohioans who had been scheduled to visit OHIO STATE this pastweekend, did not. RB Kelton Lindsay (OH), who of course has committed to the Buckeyes, will visit Ohio State next weekend, January 22nd. And RB Richard Hall (OH) told me, "There was a conflict and some transportation problems so I didn't visit OHIO STATE. I'll reschedule it. I talked to Coach Heacock and we just have to figure out when. I still plan to visit MICHIGAN STATE next weekend (January 23rd). I'm not committed to INDIANA right now. I'm wide open between all three schools." Plenty of prospects the Buckeyes are pursuing made official visits elsewhere this past weekend, and there is both good and bad news regarding those players. Let's now look at a number of them, and I'll have information on others later today. OL Vernon Carey (FL) has finally said it, he has committed to MIAMI. Carey told me on Sunday night, "People were saying I had committed to Miami before, but I hadn't. I needed to check everything out. But I committed before I left my visit there today (Sunday). I told Coach Conley that I committed to Miami when he called me just a little bit ago (Sunday night)." TE/QB Gary Godsey has committed to NOTRE DAME. Godsey's father told me late Sunday night, "Gary committed to Notre Dame this weekend. He'll probably announce it in the next few days, but he has definitely committed to Notre Dame. He had a great visit there." DE Darnell Dockett (MD) will not be visiting the Buckeyes. Dockett told me, "It was great at NORTH CAROLINA, but I didn't commit. I'm done with visits. I've just got to decide now between FLORIDA STATE and North Carolina. I won't be visiting OHIO STATE. I want to play in the ACC so I can beat Maryland." On the other hand, OL Bryce Bishop (FL) is still very much considering Ohio State and did not commit to FLORIDA this past weekend. Bishop still has visits scheduled to FLORIDA STATE January 22nd and to MIAMI January 29th. He has previously been to OHIO STATE. DL Fred Sturrup (FL) visited FLORIDA STATE. Sturrup told me, "It was great there, but I didn't commit. It's really close between Florida State and OHIO STATE." I then asked Sturrup if he had to pick right now who would he choose. He told me, "I'd probably break down and cry. I don't think I could pick right now." Sturrup still has visits scheduled to MISSOURI January 22nd and MIAMI January 29th. WR Reggie Brown (GA) visited TENNESSEE and has also been to OHIO STATE. He told me, "Whew, I don't know which visit I liked best. They were both really good. My next visit is scheduled for FLORIDA January 29th. I don't think I'll visit GEORGIA, but I'm definitely still looking at them. I just don't think I need to take an official visit there." WR Ryshaun Conover (NJ) visited PENN STATE. He told me, "I liked it. I had fun there. There's a lot of stuff to do even if it is out in the country. Penn State might be a little ahead of OHIO STATE, and Rutgers is in there too. But we are going to have to reschedule my Ohio State visit. I've got a basketball game next weekend, so I'll stay close and visit RUTGERS. I plan to visit Ohio State either the middle of this week or the middle of next week. I've still got MIAMI January 29th." January 17, 1999 January 14, 1999 QB Scott McMullen (OH) is on the verge of committing to OHIO STATE over PITT and MICHIGAN STATE. His father told me last night, "Unless something changes Scott won't take any other visits. He has exams the next couple of days, then he'll announce something this weekend. OHIO STATE has a pretty big lead now." TE Nick Brzezinski (MI) is also on the verge of announcing a decision. His father told me last night, "Nick called INDIANA and told them he won't be visiting there. He plans to decide by Friday. I think DUKE still has a little lead with OHIO STATE next and then NORTHWESTERN." LB T.J. Duckett (MI) told me last night, "I still plan to visit NOTRE DAME this weekend. I'm not sure if I'll make it to OHIO STATE or not, but if I do it will be January 29th. MICHIGAN STATE and UCLA are maybe slightly ahead, but all the schools are still in it." T.J. has previously visited not only the Spartans and Bruins, but MICHIGAN and FLORIDA STATE as well. TE Dan Gitlewski (WI) said last night, "I could commit to MINNESOTA, but if I hear from MICHIGAN, OHIO STATE, or WISCONSIN on Thursday, I would still consider visiting one of those schools this weekend. If they would get a hold of me it's possible. We'll see what happens Thursday." As of last night DB Brandon Ward (TX) had still not decided who he will visit this weekend. It will be either UCLA, MICHIGAN, or TENNESSEE. Tentatively he has OHIO STATE scheduled for January 23rd. Ward has previously visited FLORIDA STATE and NEBRASKA. January 12, 1999 DB Mike Doss (OH) has rescheduled his OHIO STATE visit for January 22nd. He did not make it to Ohio State this past weekend because of weather/travel problems. Doss has of course committed to the Buckeyes. TE Nick Brzezinski (MI) told me last night, "I'm not sure, but I don't think I'll visit INDIANA this weekend. DUKE still has a little lead over OHIO STATE, but it's close." January 13, 1999 Another player that could perhaps commit to OHIO STATE in the near future is WR Ricky Bryant (MI). Bryant has visited MICHIGAN STATE, WISCONSIN, and NORTHWESTERN, and will visit OHIO STATE this weekend. All four have offered a scholarship and Ricky might not visit PURDUE January 22nd. He told me, "Ohio State and Northwestern are still my two favorites." Last night I asked OL Vernon Carey (FL) about reports that he has committed to Miami. He told me, "I saw that on the internet, but I don't know why someone would say that. It's not true. Miami has the lead, but I haven't committed. I'll announce my decision on Monday after I visit there this weekend. It's either MIAMI or OHIO STATE." TE Dan Gitlewski (6'6 255 4.85) from Oak Creek, Wisconsin went out for football for the first time this year and is now drawing quite a bit of interest from recruiters. He visited MINNESOTA last weekend and was offered a scholarship. Gitlewski has BOWLING GREEN scheduled for this weekend, but will probably cancel it. He told me last night, "I might commit to Minnesota in the next day or two, but MICHIGAN, OHIO STATE, and WISCONSIN have been talking about having me in for a visit this weekend. NOTRE DAME has been in too. I'll know what I'm going to do in a day or so." Gitlewski caught 16 passes and averaged 22 yards a grab this season. He also starts in basketball and pitches in baseball. I'll have more later today. January 12th 1:05 P.M. OL Alex Jackson (FL) has made official visits to OHIO STATE, KENTUCKY, GEORGIA, and GEORGIA TECH, as well as an unofficial visit to FLORIDA. He told me he will leave Friday for an official visit to TENNESSEE and plans to make an unofficial visit to FLORIDA STATE January 22nd. Jackson told me, "I can't say I have a favorite at all anymore. It's wide open now. I'll most definitely take those last two visits before I decide anything." LB Shawn Price (NJ) has visited OHIO STATE and AUBURN. He told me last night, "I'll be visiting FLORIDA STATE this weekend, then I've got WEST VIRGINIA January 22nd. There's a few other schools I might think about too, but Auburn has a little lead over Ohio State right now. All the schools tell me the same thing. That if I don't qualify they would place me at a school like Fork Union." January 12th 12:20 A.M. There is positive news as both DE Darnell Dockett (MD) and LB T.J. Duckett (MI) have rescheduled their visits to Ohio State. Dockett told me last night, "T.J. and I rescheduled our visits to OHIO STATE for January 29th. I'll visit NORTH CAROLINA this Saturday (January 16th) then I'll visit Ohio State. I don't plan to make a decision till I visit Ohio State. I still don't have a favorite." T.J. Duckett (MI) has visited MICHIGAN STATE, MICHIGAN, FLORIDA STATE, and UCLA. He plans to make an unofficial visit to NOTRE DAME January 15th, then visit OHIO STATE January 29th. Duckett says he has no leader. WR Ryshaun Conover (NJ) has also rescheduled his Ohio State visit. He told me, "I'm going to visit PENN STATE this weekend, then we rescheduled OHIO STATE for January 23rd. I've still got MIAMI January 29th. Penn State has a little lead, but it's real close between them and Ohio State." It comes as no surprise that OL Joseph Patrick (MI) has announced a commitment to MICHIGAN STATE. Patrick went to the Michigan State-Michigan basketball game on Saturday. On my hotline on Sunday I said a couple of prospects who were making official visits to Michigan State this past weekend told me that Patrick had told them on Saturday that he was going to Michigan State. So it's no surprise that he has announced a commitment to the Spartans. January 11th 4:20 P.M. TE/QB Gary Godsey (FL) returned today from an official
visit to January 11th 4:20 P.M. WR Luke Powell (TN) arrived back from STANFORD around 8:00 this morning. He told me, "It went pretty well at Stanford. I liked the area and the coaches. I'd say they are about even now with OHIO STATE. I'll visit FLORIDA this weekend, then I've got DUKE January 23rd. They all have offered me now." January 11th 11:30 A.M The news is also good on the Matt Farrior front. I checked with Farrior's mother right before this update and she said that while Matt liked his visit to NORTH CAROLINA, she said OHIO STATE is still his leader. Farrior still however has visits scheduled to PENN STATE January 15th and FLORIDA January 22nd. DE Constantin Ritzmann (FL) told me
last night upon returning from his DB Brian Mance (SC) visited CLEMSON this past weekend and told me, "It was nice, but I wouldn't say they are my favorite. I couldn't say who my favorite is. I'll visit OHIO STATE January 15th, SOUTH CAROLINA January 18th, and probably TENNESSEE January 22nd and probably GEORGIA January 29th." WR Ricky Bryant (MI) after returning
from Northwestern told me, "NORTHWESTERN and OHIO
STATE are my two favorites now, with January 11th 12:50 A.M. As I had previously said was very likely to happen, WR
Drew Carter from Solon, Ohio, committed to OHIO
STATE. Carter had previously visited BOWLING GREEN and
MIAMI (O), and was scheduled to visit DB Zieyer Walker (VA) also visited the Buckeyes this weekend, and as long as he gets everything taken care of academically at Fork Union, wants to enrol at OHIO STATE in the fall. QB Scott McMullen (OH) told me,
"It was really great at OHIO STATE. I'd say it's the
best visit I've had so far. I had a lot of fun there.
Maurice Lee, Reggie Brown, and me went to City Center on
Saturday. I'm supposed to visit WEST VIRGINIA this coming
weekend, but we'll see what happens the rest of the week.
Ohio State probably has a slight lead over PITT."
McMullen was hosted by Donnie Nickey. DL Fred Sturrup (FL) was hosted this weekend by Cie Grant. Sturrup told me, "I liked it pretty good at OHIO STATE. It's a nice area there. There's a pretty big chance I'll end up there. I'd say Ohio State is my favorite now. But I've still got FLORIDA STATE scheduled January 15th, MISSOURI January 22nd, and MIAMI January 29th." OL Vernon Carey (FL) told me,
"It's nice up there at OHIO STATE. The cold weather
and the snow didn't bother me at all. I'm not going to
visit FLORIDA now. It's down to Ohio State and MIAMI.
I'll visit Miami OL Alan Reuber (TX) has now made official visits to OHIO STATE, TEXAS, TEXAS A M, and MIAMI, and plans to visit NOTRE DAME January 15th. After his trip to Columbus Reuber told me, "Ohio State has a chance. I was impressed with how they take care of their players. The ex-players go back there. I liked the school and the people, but the weather is a killer. Texas A&M and Miami would be tied for the lead with Ohio State third. I'll visit Notre Dame (January 15th), then I'll eliminate either Ohio State or Notre Dame. After that I'll compare the schools and make a decision." WR Reggie Brown (GA) was hosted this past weekend by Jonathan Wells. Brown, who was on his first official visit, still has trips planned to TENNESSEE January 15th, GEORGIA January 22nd, and FLORIDA January 29th. Brown told me, "I could end up at Ohio State. I liked it there. I like the track program too. Ohio State, Georgia, and Tennessee are still all up there." WR Kevin Beard (FL) was hosted this past weekend by Derek Combs. Beard, who was on his first official visit, still has TENNESSEE scheduled for January 15th, MIAMI for January 22nd, and MISSOURI for January 29th. Beard told me, "OHIO STATE is very, very nice. I'd say Ohio State and Miami are my two favorites. But I think I'll wait till February to announce anything." TE Nick Brzezinski (MI) was hosted this weekend by Jim Massey. Brzezinski told me, "I could see myself going to OHIO STATE. It's very nice there. I liked the whole visit really. They said they still want me, but they didn't put me on the spot or anything. It's pretty close, but I'd say Duke is still a little ahead of Ohio State. I'm not sure if I'll visit INDIANA (January 15th) or not." Brzezinski has previously visited DUKE and NORTHWESTERN. DB Atari Callen (CA) told me, "It was good at OHIO STATE. I liked it there. I liked the players. Michael Wiley (host) is a funny guy. The coaches are players' type coaches. When I visited WASHINGTON I liked it a lot, but with the coaching change there, I don't know. I'd say UCLA, Ohio State, and CAL are my top three." Callen has now made official visits to UCLA, Washington, and Ohio State, and plans to visit ARIZONA January 15th and Cal January 22nd. LB Kendyll Pope (FL) told me when I
asked him if there was a chance he might change his
commitment from Florida State to OHIO STATE, "You
never can tell what will happen. I liked the city up
there and they have some openings with Katzenmoyer
leaving and their other linebacker graduating (Jerry
Rudzinski)." The Buckeyes however seem to be a bit
of a long shot. Pope still plans to visit TENNESSEE
January 15th, FLORIDA STATE January 22nd, FLORIDA January
25th, and maybe ALABAMA January 29th. DE Clint Mitchell (FL) also could not make his visit to OHIO STATE this past weekend. The flight he was going to be on originated in Chicago. It was supposed to go from Chicago to Columbus, then from Columbus to Florida, and back to Columbus. However it could not get from Chicago to Columbus due to the bad weather, so it never made it to Florida for the return trip to Columbus, which Clint and his parents were going to be on. So Clint decided to make an official visit to FLORIDA at the last minute, and then committed to the Gators. He told me, "While I was waiting for the plane that got canceled I just started thinking maybe Ohio State wasn't the place for me. So I decided to visit Florida instead and I committed." DE Darnell Dockett (MD) went to the
airport Friday afternoon, but the LB T.J. Duckett (MI) was not able to make it to Columbus this weekend as well due to weather/travel problems. Duckett wound up making an unofficial visit to MICHIGAN STATE Saturday to see the Michigan State-Michigan basketball game. He still plans to visit NOTRE DAME January 15th and may visit OHIO STATE January 23rd. At least the Buckeyes are hoping to have him in that weekend. WR Ryshaun Conover (NJ) couldn't
visit OHIO STATE because of the weather. Conover will
visit PENN STATE January 16th and MIAMI DB Dashaun McCullough (CA) visited CAL instead of OHIO STATE this past weekend. He said, "There was a conflict, so I visited Cal. I won't be visiting Ohio State now." Keep in mind the Buckeyes had not offered McCullough a scholarship and are getting tight on the NCAA allowable official visits. I'll have more later today, featuring other players
who OHIO STATE is recruiting who visited elsewhere this
past weekend. The good news is that January 5, 1998 FB Nate Stead (6'0 258 4.75) from Marion Harding High School in Ohio will commit to OHIO STATE if the Buckeyes offer a scholarship. Stead told me last night he will visit OSU the weekend of January 15th and has MICHIGAN STATE scheduled for January 22nd. He has already been to AKRON. Stead told me if the Bucks offer he will commit. His second choice is Michigan State. If neither offers he will go to Akron. Stead rushed for 471 yards this season. He has a 2.1 GPA and scored a 27 on the ACT. January 5, 1998 Also scheduled to visit are commitments OL Adrien Clarke (OH), DB Michael Doss (OH), RB Jesse Kline (OH), RB Kelton Lindsay (OH), WR Maurice Lee (OH), TE Ben Hartsock (OH), and QB Craig Krenzel (MI). You can also dd DB Ziyier Walker, who is currently at Fork Union, to the long list of players scheduled to visit OHIO STATE January 8th. WR Reggie Brown (GA) has scheduled a visit with the Buckeyes for the big, big weekend of January 8th, as has WR Ryshaun Conover (NJ) who told me that his decision is still down to OHIO STATE and PENN STATE and he has scheduled visits to each school. Conover said, "I'll be visiting Ohio State January 8th and Penn State January 16th. I'd say Penn State has a little lead, but I want to visit both of them." WR Luke Powell (TN) still has the Buckeyes as his leader. However he also still has STANFORD scheduled for January 8th and FLORIDA January15th. Powell is also thinking about a possible visit to DUKE though he does not have an exact date. DB/QB Anquan Boldin (FL) told me he probably won't make an official visit to OHIO STATE. He said, "I'm talking with MICHIGAN about visiting there January 8th, but it's not definite. FLORIDA, FLORIDA STATE, MIAMI, AUBURN, SYRACUSE, and WEST VIRGINIA are the other schools that I've been thinking about now for official visits. I don't have any favorites yet." A couple of more players can be added to the long list
of those making an WR Drew Carter (6'4 185 4.55) from Solon, Ohio, will be leaving on Saturday for an official visit to OHIO STATE. He has a basketball game on Friday night. Up until this season Carter had not played football since his freshman year. However he went out and hauled in 33 passes this year, scored 13 times, and averaged an outstanding 23 yards a grab. Carter also averages 19 points a game in basketball, has a 2.4 GPA, and took the ACT in December and is awaiting the results. Carter has already visited BOWLING GREEEN and MIAMI (O). He also has a visit scheduled to MICHIGAN STATE January 15th. Carter told me, "All the schools have now offered me a scholarship, but Ohio State is my favorite. As long as I still have a scholarship this weekend, there's a good chance I'll commit." DB Dashaun McCullough from Gardena Serra High School in California will also visit OHIO STATE this weekend. He has already visited TEXAS A&M and COLORADO and both of those schools have offered a scholarship. McCullough also has UCLA scheduled for January 15th. He told me, "Ohio State hasn't offered me a scholarship yet. I watched their game against A&M and I liked how Ohio State played. But I don't have a favorite." WR Tyrece Butler (IN) told me Sunday night, "I'll be leaving Saturday for MICHIGAN. I'll be back Monday. I'm also going to visit OHIO STATE, but we haven't set a date yet. PURDUE has a little lead now, but Michigan and Ohio State are real close behind, tied for second." Butler has already visited Purdue. DE Darnell Dockett (MD), who has already visited FLORIDA STATE, told me on Sunday, "I'll be leaving Friday for Ohio State. After that I'll be leaving for NORTH CAROLINA on Thursday January 14th because I have to be back on Saturday for a banquet Saturday night in Washington D.C. That will be it then. It's down to Florida State, Ohio State, and North Carolina. Florida State and North Carolina might have a little lead because they play Maryland and I want to beat Maryland. But Ohio State is in there. They are calling all the time." OL Bryce Bishop (FL) told me on Sunday night, "Coach Conley just called me. I'll be leaving for OHIO STATE on Friday. They are still my leader, but it's real close between them and FLORIDA STATE. FLORIDA, MIAMI, and AUBURN are in there too. But Ohio State is the only visit I have set up right now." Jammal Lord (NJ) will probably cancel his visit this weekend to OHIO STATE. He told me, "I've been to SYRACUSE, NEBRASKA, and TEMPLE. I'm scheduled to visit OHIO STATE January 8th and ARIZONA STATE January 15th, but I'm pretty sure I'll cancel those two. Nebraska is my leader and I might go ahead and commit." |