Bill Kurelic Late January Posts

January 31st 10:15 P.M. EST
There is definitely good news to tell you about as WR Maurice Harris (FL) upon his return from his official visit to PURDUE told me, "It's was O.K., but nothin has changed, I'm still committed to OHIO STATE. I'll sign with them on Wednesday." Why did Harris stay with the Buckeyes? He told me, "Ohio State is losing two wide receivers and my mom and I just felt most comfortable with them. They've got great tradition. I'm done with the others. I'll sign with Ohio State."

More great news comes from OL Bryce Bishop (FL). Though he is not quite officially a Buckeye yet, Bishop should announce Monday or Tuesday that he is going to sign with Ohio State. After his visit to MIAMI Bishop told me, "I liked it there, but OHIO STATE is where I'm going. FLORIDA STATE is second and MIAMI is third. I just like Ohio State best. I'll make my announcement probably Monday or Tuesday." While it looks great for the Buckeyes it is not a done deal quite yet, though it is very, very close.

There are plenty of rumors going around that WR Reggie Brown (GA) has committed to Georgia. If that's the case he is not saying so. Upon his return from his official visit to Georgia Brown told me, "It's down to GEORGIA and OHIO STATE. I really don't got a leader. I'll have a press conference to announce my decision, but I don't know when. It could be anytime." This is going to be a tough one for Ohio State, especially with Brown's father favoring Georgia, but the Buckeyes are definitely still working on it.

If the Buckeyes don't land Brown, then they might get someone else from the South. DB/Ath Roshard Gilyard from Jacksonville White High School in Florida made an official visit to OHIO STATE this weekend. He had previously visited AUBURN, ALABAMA, and OKLAHOMA. Gilyard (5'10 190 4.5) played QB and safety this season for White High School, but is being recruited as a CB/Ath. He was hosted while at Ohio State by Tam Hopkins. Gilyard told me, "I want to go to Ohio State. But I have to talk one more time with Coach Simms. I liked the players at Ohio State and the coaches. I felt comfortable there. I feel like I could make my mark there." However if the Buckeyes were to sign both Bryce Bishop and Reggie Brown that would probably not leave room for Gilyard.

January 29th 7:30 A.M. EST
LB Shawn Price (NJ) has chosen OHIO STATE, though he will likely have to travel through Virginia to get to Columbus. Price made official visits to AUBURN, FLORIDA STATE, and Ohio State before saying he intends to become a Buckeye. However he has not qualified academically and told me that all three schools told him they would place him at a school if he did not make it academically coming out of high school. Price said the Buckeyes have Fork Union Military Academy in mind. It seems likely he will be headed there first with the intention of becoming a Buckeye when he gets everything taken care of academically.

January 29, 1999 4:00 AM
WR Reggie Brown (GA) is going to make an official visit to GEORGIA this weekend. Brown's mom told me last night, "He decided to go ahead and make the visit to Georgia. He'll leave Saturday and be back Sunday afternoon." Brown's decision is down to Georgia, OHIO STATE, and TENNESSEE, but look for it to go down to the wire between the Buckeyes and Bulldogs.

WR Maurice Harris (FL) told me last night, "Ye, I'm going to to ahead with the PURDUE visit this weekend. But I'm still committed to OHIO STATE, no doubt." I then asked Maurice if there was any chance he would switch his Ohio State commitment to Purdue and he said, "I don't think so, but I can't say absolutely."

OL Bryce Bishop (FL) had a home visit on Thursday night from Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden. Bishop told me last night, "Coach Bowden just left. It went good. But OHIO STATE still has the lead and FLORIDA STATE is still second. I'm going to visit MIAMI this weekend
before I announce my decision." When I asked Bishop if the Ohio State lead was big or small he said, "Kinda small."

WR Jason Geathers (FL) remains very non-committal on everything. There is still no word on whether he will sign with anyone on National Signing Day. Geathers has talked about waiting till later to sign. He also has not given any indication of almost anything else. Geathers has visited OHIO STATE, MISSOURI, and WEST VIRGINIA, but seems likely to end up signing with MIAMI.

January 28th 9:40 A.M. EST.

RB Richard Hall (OH) has made his decision and has committed to OHIO STATE! He chose the Buckeyes over MICHIGAN STATE and INDIANA. Hall notified all three schools this morning, calling them from Cincinnati Wyoming High School.

January 28th 12:15 A.M. EST
RB Richard Hall (OH) should announce a decision by noon today. It's very difficult to predict right now which way Hall will go, OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN STATE, or INDIANA.

When I asked OL Bryce Bishop (FL) again last night how his in-home visit with Coach Bill Conley went the other night, Bishop replied, "It looks like I'll be going there. I have family up there and there are a lot of benefits at OHIO STATE. I want to play in the NFL, but if I need help getting a job the business alumni at Ohio State can really help." As good as all that sounds, FLORIDA STATE's Bobby Bowden is scheduled to visit Bishop today and Bishop is still planning to visit MIAMI this weekend.

January 27th 5:10 P.M. EST

RB Richard Hall (OH) met with his high school principal for almost an hour after school today and came away without announcing a decision. Wyoming Principal Ken Baker and Hall discussed the pro's and con's of all three schools, OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN STATE, and INDIANA. Baker said, "He wants to go home and talk with his family one more time. He'll have a decision to announce by noon tomorrow. He's going to phone all three schools tomorrow morning from my office, then announce his decision. All three are still in the running."

WR Reggie Brown (GA), his father, Bill Conley, and Tim Salem met at Brown's home earlier today. Reggie was also visited this morning by an assistant coach from Georgia. Reggie's father told me, "They were both O.K." When I asked Reggie's father if Reggie was leaning to any of the three schools, OHIO STATE, GEORGIA, or TENNESSEE, he told me, "Not that I know of. I imagine he'll announce sometime next week."

January 27th 2:30 AM
RB Richard Hall (OH) returned from his official visit to Michigan State and did not commit to the Spartans. He told me, "It was nice there, but I still don't have a decision. I might announce on Wednesday, but I'm not sure. OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN STATE, and INDIANA are all in it. There's no leader." Hall's mother also went on the visit and said she was impressed with the "beautiful campus."

OL Bryce Bishop (FL) was vistied by Buckeye assistant Bill Conley Tuesday evening and the visit went very well. Both Bryce and his father said the Buckeyes are "definitely" still the leader, but Bryce will visit MIAMI this weekend. He will likely announce a decision either Monday or Tuesday.

In my last update I told you that WR Reggie Brown's father said Reggie was not going to visit Florida this weekend. He told me, "Reggie's tired. He won't visit FLORIDA. It will be OHIO STATE, GEORGIA, or TENNESSEE." Brown will get a home visit today from Bill Conley and Ohio State quarterbacks coach Tim Salem.

WR Maurice Harris (FL) has changed his mind again on his Purdue visit. After telling me on Monday night that his mom didn't want him to visit the Boilermakers and he was going to cancel the trip, Harris told me on Tuesday evening, "Since my cousin Willie Fells plays for PURDUE and I told them I would visit, my mom thinks I should go ahead now. But I'm still committed to OHIO STATE. I plan to sign with them." Harris is scheduled to leave on Friday for West Lafayette.

January 26, 1999
It's down to three! WR Reggie Brown's (GA) father just told me Reggie will not be visiting FLORIDA this weekend. He said Reggie is tired and will decide beteen OHIO STATE, GEORGIA, and TENNESSEE.

Buckeye assistant Bill Conley is just about to make a home visit with OL Bryce Bishop (FL).

January 26th 12:01 A.M. EST
There is good news concerning both WR Maurice Harris (FL) and OL Bryce Bishop (FL). Let's begin with Harris. Harris of course as I've previously told you stayed with his commitment to OHIO STATE after returning from his visit to MIAMI this past weekend. However he had told me there was a slight chance he might still visit PURDUE this coming weekend. However Harris told me late Monday night, "I won't visit Purdue. Coach Simms didn't want me to do that and my mom didn't, so I won't. I'm all done with visits. It's Ohio State."

Bryce Bishop told me on Monday night, "OHIO STATE has the lead, FLORIDA STATE is second, and MIAMI third. It's down to those three
Coach Conley is coming over Tuesday night and Coach Bowden will be here Thursday. But I don't plan to do anything till I visit Miami (January 29th). I might announce next Monday or Tuesday."

WR Reggie Brown (GA) is back from his weekend trip to Hawaii. Brown still plans to visit FLORIDA this coming weekend. While he has not ruled out GEORGIA or TENNESSEE, this is looking perhaps like another Buckeye-Gator battle. Ohio State fans are certainly hoping it turns out better than it did with Matt Farrior.

On the other hand WR Luke Powell (TN) told me on Monday night, "I don't know if I'd say OHIO STATE is totally out of it, but pretty much. They got some commitments from some other wide receivers. STANFORD, DUKE, and FLORIDA are the main schools."

WR Kevin Beard (FL) told me Monday night, "I'd have to say OHIO STATE is out of it. I'll know Tuesday or Wednesday if it's MIAMI or TENNESSEE."

RB Richard Hall (OH) gets back this evening from his official visit to MICHIGAN STATE. The Buckeyes are hoping to land a commitment from Hall, but certainly the Spartans are going to tell him about Sedrick Ervin leaving and the opening it creates.

For information purposes, LB T.J. Duckett (MI) told me Monday night, "I'll announce tomorrow morning (Tuesday) at 9:00 at my high school. It will be either MICHIGAN STATE or UCLA."

Also for information purposes, QB Chris Simms (NJ) changed his mind and has decided he will sign with TEXAS rather than TENNESSEE.

January 25th 3:25 P.M. EST
After telling me last night that he was pretty sure he would not visit MICHIGAN STATE today, RB Richard Hall (OH) decided to go ahead and visit the Spartans. Hall is in East Lansing right now on an official visit and will not be back home until Tuesday evening. Hall's grandfather told me right before this update that he felt Richard would announce a decision Tuesday night and he felt Richard would pick OHIO STATE. But we will all have to wait until at least Tuesday evening to find out. It does seem that Hall's family would like him to select Ohio State.

January 24th 10:40 P.M. EST

I told you all about WR Maurice Harris (FL) committing to OHIO STATE in my update early Friday morning. I also had quotes from Harris that even though he had committed to the Buckeyes, he would be making an official visit to MIAMI. Harris made that visit and the good news is that he remains committed to Ohio State. Harris told me, "The visit to Miami was O.K., but I'm going to Ohio State. There's maybe a little chance I'll visit PURDUE next weekend, but the Ohio State commitment is going to stand."

An interesting side bar to Harris' visit to Miami is that part of the reason he made the visit is that he was scheduled to retake the SAT and the test was held on the campus of the Miami Hurricanes. Harris scored an 800 previously on the test and said figures he needs an 820.

RB Richard Hall (OH) visited OHIO STATE this past weekend and it generally looks good for the Buckeyes to land Hall, perhaps within the next 24 hours. Hall told me, "I'm pretty sure I won't visit MICHIGAN STATE tomorrow. I want to decide between Ohio State and INDIANA pretty quick. I had a real good time at Ohio State, but I haven't committed yet." Hall is a tremendous talent who would be rated as one of the country's best if he had already qualified academically. But he definitely has a shot at making it and if he does and the Buckeyes land him, it would be huge.

RB Kelton Lindsay (OH), DB Michael Doss (OH), and QB Craig Krenzel (MI) all made their official visits to OHIO STATE this past weekend. Of course all three committed to the Buckeyes long ago.

On the other hand, WR Ryshaun Conover (NJ) decided not to visit OHIO STATE. He had said he was going to visit the Buckeyes Sunday and Monday, but with the Buckeyes landing Maurice Harris and having a very realistic shot at Reggie Brown, Conover certainly has become much less a priority. Luke Powell is still a possibility too and there are of course a number of others at other positions that the Bucks could land, so there just was probably not going to be too much of an opportunity to fit Conover in this class had he wanted to select Ohio State.

From speaking with Reggie Brown's mother, I certainly get the feeling that Reggie's decision is going to come down to either OHIO STATE or FLORIDA. Brown is scheduled to visit the Gators this coming weekend.

Bad news came from LB Matt Farrior (VA) who told me he committed to FLORIDA this weekend saying he felt "more comfortable" there. I told you about that in an update earlier this afternoon. Also OL Alex Jackson (FL) told me, "The two schools I've eliminated are OHIO STATE and FLORIDA."

Punter Donnie Jones (LA) after his official visit to LSU told me, "I told Coach Salem this afternoon that I wouldn't be visiting OHIO STATE. I'm
going to stay with my LSU commitment. The caliber of the program at Ohio State is great. It's the best in the country there. I thought they were the best team in the country this year. It was tough saying no, but I've always had it in my heart to go to LSU. It's been my dream and when I saw everything this weekend, I decided to stay with LSU."

On the other hand, OL Bryce Bishop (FL) did not commit to Florida State this weekend. He has now been to Ohio State, Florida, and Florida State. Bryce told me, "I still have Ohio State in the lead with Florida State second now." Bryce's father, who went on the visit with Bryce added, "He liked his FLORIDA STATE visit, but I know he was real impressed with his visit to OHIO STATE. I'd say OHIO STATE is still at the top of his list, but I think he wants to visit MIAMI (January 29th) before he makes his decision."

As a side note on Bryce Bishop, his father was an outstanding player for Cleveland Glenville High and told me, "Ohio State was always one of my first choices, but I ended up going to Louisville."

There have been reports that DL Fred Sturrup (FL) has a 13 on the ACT. However he told me today, "I've taken it twice and when you combine the scores I'm at a 16 right now. I'll take it again February 6th." Sturrup of course committed to OHIO STATE over FLORIDA STATE.

January 24th 5:00 P.M. ES
Good news and bad. WR Maurice Harris (FL) is back from his visit to MIAMI and is staying with his commitment to OHIO STATE! On the other hand LB Matt Farrior (VA) has committed to FLORIDA over OHIO STATE.

January 22nd 6:52 A.M.
I just spoke to WR Maurice Harris (FL). He told me, "I told OHIO STATE I'm committing to them, but I'm leaving in a few minutes for an official visit to MIAMI. I get back on Sunday, my flight comes in at 11:00 Sunday morning. I should be able to announce things officially then that I've committed to Ohio State." While it looks very good for the Buckeyes and I've gone ahead and put Harris on my Ohio State commitment list since he has told the Buckeyes that, the Ohio State staff still has to sweat out the next 48 hours or so.

January 21st 10:10 P.M.
When I asked DL Fred Sturrup (FL) if his visit to MISSOURI this weekend was definitely off, he responded, "Yeah, especially since I committed to OHIO STATE. I've told Ohio State and some other schools have been calling and I'm telling them too, but I haven't told FLORIDA STATE yet. I liked the close coaching staff and I like the style of defense they play at Ohio State. I like the area there too. I'll have a press conference tomorrow morning at 11:00 to announce it."

DB Brian Mance (SC) told me earlier this evening that he has committed to CLEMSON over OHIO STATE. I'll have some quotes from Mance a little later, but his decision is more than offset by the decision of Sturrup.

January 21st
In the "for what it's worth" department, LB T.J. Duckett (MI) told me he is still considering Ohio State. He said last night, "MICHIGAN STATE and UCLA are somewhat my leaders, but not by much. MICHIGAN, FLORIDA STATE, NOTRE DAME, and OHIO STATE are still on the list. I'm not sure exactly when I'll announce. I don't think it will be this week. I'd say sometime next week."

More realistically, who might round out this Ohio State recruiting class? There are many possibilities still. But the players I feel are the best bets to wind up at Ohio State are OL Bryce Bishop (FL), WR Maurice Harris (FL), and LB Matt Farrior (VA), followed very closely by DL Fred Sturrup (FL). In the case of Farrior, his mom said last night he is "excited" about his visit to FLORIDA this weekend, so that is definitely one for the Buckeyes to sweat out. But I think there is a fairly good chance Ohio State will land at least two of those four players.

RB Richard Hall (OH) is visiting OHIO STATE this weekend and I definitely feel he could pick the Buckeyes, but much will depend on his academic situation. Talent wise there is no question he is a great one.

WR Luke Powell (TN), WR Reggie Brown (GA), DB Brian Mance (SC), DB Atari Callen (CA), WR Ryshaun Conover (NJ), OL Alex Jackson (FL), WR Jason Geathers (FL) and P Donnie Jones (LA) all still say they have OHIO STATE under consideration too. So do RB/FB Terrance Glover (NJ) and LB Patrick Fleming (SC) though Ohio State has not offered either a scholarship. Even though Geathers is not talking about MIAMI, I still feel that is where he is going to end up.

January 21, 1999
WR Maurice Harris (FL) told me last night he will be visited today by the. Buckeyes. "Coach Simms and another coach will be here to see me, but the other one won't be Coach Cooper. He's already been down here. OHIO STATE still has the lead," Harris told me. I then asked who would be second? He told me, "Nobody really. Maybe TENNESSEE or MIAMI. I don't plan to make any commitment till after I visit Miami this weekend."

There's a new name in the Buckeye recruiting mix. Punter Donnie Jones (6'3 195) from Baton Rouge Catholic High in Louisiana might visit Ohio State. Jones averaged 43.5 yards a punt this season as he was named All-State. He attended the Buckeyes football camp this summer. Jones has committed to LSU and will make his official visit there this weekend. However he told me Coach Salem made a home visit on Tuesday and would like him to visit OHIO STATE. Jones told me last night, "I'll decide on Sunday when I get back from LSU if I'll visit Ohio State. It could maybe be a Monday or Tuesday visit next week. The program at Ohio State is tremendous. I like everything but the distance and cold. It's something I can't just overlook."

Keep in mind that WR Ryshaun Conover (NJ) is schedule to visit the Buckeyes on Sunday. Conover (NJ) will start the weekend at Rutgers, then plans to visit OHIO STATE beginning on Sunday. He continues to have PENN STATE as his leader.

January 20th 3:50 P.M.

Stanford Head Coach Willingham made a home visit with WR Luke Powell (TN) last night. The visit went well though Powell did not commit. He continues to say things are very close between STANFORD, OHIO STATE, and FLORIDA, and still plans to visit DUKE this coming weekend.

January 20, 1999
It's now a two team race for DL Fred Sturrup (FL). Sturrup told me last night, "It's down to OHIO STATE and FLORIDA STATE. I'm almost sure I'm going to cancel my visit this weekend to MISSOURI. My mom has a non-refundable plane ticket to go, and that was the main reason I was going to take the trip. But we found out the ticket is for January 20th, not the 22nd. They said we can't exchange it. I guess she just loses the money. But I'm going to go to either Ohio State or Florida State anyway. It's still dead even between them. I might think about things for awhile."

WR Ryshaun Conover (NJ) has rescheduled his visit to Ohio State. He told me last night, "I'll visit RUTGERS Friday and Saturday. Then I have a
basketball game on Saturday night. I'll leave for OHIO STATE on Sunday (January 24th). It will be a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday visit. I've still got MIAMI January 29th too. I'd say Penn State and Rutgers might be a little ahead of Ohio State right now."

RB Richard Hall (OH) will also be in Columbus this weekend. He told me last night, "We changed things around. I'm going to leave for OHIO STATE Saturday morning. Then right after I visit Ohio State I'll visit MICHIGAN STATE. I'll be there till at least Tuesday, and maybe Wednesday. INDIANA is still in it too. I could pick any of the three."

January 19th 9:00 A.M.
Buckeye Head Coach John Cooper and assistant Tim Salem visited with WR Reggie Brown (GA) and his mother yesterday. Brown's mother told me, "It went fine. We had a good talk. Reggie is definitely interested in OHIO STATE, but I don't think he has a favorite. It's still the same schools. Ohio State, TENNESSEE, GEORGIA, and FLORIDA. The only other visit he has scheduled right now is Florida January 29th."

DB Brian Mance (SC) went straight from his OHIO STATE visit this past weekend to a visit to SOUTH CAROLINA. He returned home last night. Mance told me, "I liked both of them. But I liked my CLEMSON visit too. At Ohio State the facilities were nice and I liked the academic programs. I'm going to visit GEORGIA this weekend and I might visit FLORIDA January 29th. I plan to at least take my Georgia visit before I make a decision. I can't name a favorie at all right now."

LB Patrich Fleming (SC) also went from his OHIO STATE visit straight to a visit to SOUTH CAROLINA. He too has previously visited CLEMSON. Fleming also has APPALACIAN STATE scheduled for a January 29th visit and might visit CITADEL.

OL Alan Reuber (TX) made official visits to TEXAS A&M, TEXAS, MIAMI, OHIO STATE, and NOTRE DAME this past weekend. He told me last night, "I've got it down to A&M and Miami. I should know real soon. I plan to make a decision by Wednesday."

The Buckeyes also appear to be out of the hunt for LB Kendyll Pope (FL). Pope, who has visited OHIO STATE and TENNESSEE, said last night, "I'm still committed to FLORIDA STATE. I'll visit there this weekend. I've got FLORIDA right after that on Sunday, and ALABAMA January 29th. I'd say my order would be Florida State first, Tennessee second, and Alabama third."

Bill Kurelic's Earlier Posts in January