Bill Kurelic's April Posts

April 30th

While I was out of town the Buckeyes received their third commitment. Let's give you the background on DB B.J Barre from Toledo Whitmer (Ohio), the latest to tell the Buckeye coaching staff that he will sign with Ohio State.

Barre (6'1 185 4.5) has lived in Ohio for just 18 months, moving to Toledo from Tulsa. His mother recently moved to Houston, which made
where Barre would play his senior season a question mark. However Barre has decided to live with a friend and will play for Whitmer as a senior. As a junior Barre rushed for 719 yards and scored 14 times. One of those scores came on defense on a return of an interception, and Barre will play on the defensive side of the ball for the Buckeyes.

It would be hard to find a high school player as big or bigger than OL Scott Fisher (6'8 320 5.1), unless you checked the Fisher house. Scott's twin brother Paul Fisher (6'8 320 5.1) is a talented offensive lineman as well, and both are drawing plenty of interest from recruiters. Scott starts at offensive left tackle and has a 3.3 GPA. Paul also starts on the offensive line at Dixie High School in St. George, Utah, and the two helped lead Dixie to a state championship this past season. Paul also has a 3.3 GPA. "We haven't really looked at schools too much yet," Scott said. "We have over 600 letters in a box here from over 50 different schools. Some of the ones that are writing are TENNESSEE, OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN, KENTUCKY, NOTRE DAME, UTAH, UCLA, and USC. We aren't thinking about any certain schools yet, it's too early for that. The only one we really called so far is Kentucky, and they offered a scholarship."

The Buckeyes had their big recruiting weekend the weekend of April 17th when they had a huge junior recruiting day. Thus, this past Saturday the focus was on the spring scrimmage game at the Woody Hayes Facility, which wrapped up spring drills. A few prospects had told me they were interested in attending the spring scrimmage game, but they wound up not making it. However a number of the players the Buckeyes signed in this past seasons recruiting class were on hand including RB Richard Hall, RB Jesse Kline, and TE Ben Hartsock.

Michigan State held their spring game on Saturday and two players the Buckeyes are pursuing went to that game. Let's begin with TE Eric Knott (6'4 235 4.55) from Detroit Henry Ford (MI), one of the country's finest prospects. Knott told me on Sunday, "MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE, OHIO STATE, and TENNESSEE, those are my top four right now. Those are the big ones for now. All four offered me a scholarship, but I'll wait awhile before I decide anything. I might wait and take official visits. I went to Ohio State and Michigan this spring. I was going to go to Tennessee's camp, but I might go to Michigan's instead."

LB Marco Cooper (6'2 30 4.5) from Detroit Cass Tech (MI) told me on Sunday, "I went to MICHIGAN STATE's spring game, but the Buckeyes are my favorite. OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE, PURDUE, INDIANA, NORTHWESTERN, and MINNESOTA
offered me a scholarship. PENN STATE is the only one that hasn't. I think I'd like to go out-of-state. I like Ohio State's program."

April 22nd
The Buckeyes have landed another commitment, and it's a big one. DE Alphonso Townsend (6' 6 275 4.75) from Lima Senior High School (OH) has given the Buckeyes the good news that he will sign with OHIO STATE. Townsend made 80 tackles last season including 15 for losses and 6 sacks. He has a 2.5 GPA. Before committing to Ohio State Townsend had also been considering FLORIDA STATE, MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE, and INDIANA. He told me, "Ohio State is close to home and they have been sending a lot of guys into the pro's." Townsend is one of the top five prospects in the state of Ohio and was at the Buckeye's junior recruiting day last Saturday. He joins OL Larry Kinnard who committed to Ohio State in March.

Two years ago recruiters were taking notice of a super sophomore linebacker named Jesse Neumyer (6'2 215 4.5) from Mechanicsburg Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately they didn't get to see him play last season. Right before the beginning of his junior season Jesse tore his ACL. He subsequently had knee surgery and missed the entire football season. However Jesse is healthy once again and running as fast as ever. He played the second half of this past basketball season. Jesse has a 3.8 GPA. He tells me, "PENN STATE and BOSTON COLLEGE have already offered me a scholarship. Those are probably by two favorites. For my top five I'd probably go with Penn State, Boston College, VIRGINIA, PITT, and either NOTRE DAME, OHIO STATE, or MICHIGAN. I'll probably go to Ohio State's and Notre Dame's football camps in June."

A very important position in this Buckeye recruiting class is tight end. One they're taking a close look at is Willie Roberts. Roberts (6'6 220 4.6), from Miami Southridge (FL), is one of the South's top tight end prospects. He caught 26 passes last season, averaged 13.5 per grab, and scored 10 times. Roberts has a 2.3 GPA and also starts in basketball. He tells me, "I like MIAMI, FLORIDA, MICHIGAN, NOTRE DAME, AUBURN, OHIO STATE, TEXAS, and FLORIDA STATE. Auburn has offered me a scholarship, and I think Michigan has too. I'm not sure about any favorite right now."

In my past update I profiled a number of players that were at Ohio State this past Saturday for the Buckeyes junior recruiting day. Let's continue that update by listing some of the top players that were at Ohio State last Saturday. Among the Ohioans were OL Michael Munoz, DL Alphonso Townsend, OL Larry Kinnard, RB Walter Reyes, RB/LB Brandon Joe, WR Andre Henderson, WR John Hollins, DL John Lumpkin, OL Ike Ndukwe, QB Nathan Poole, RB Jonathan Souter, LB Brian Burns, and WR Andre Hooks.

Among the out-of-state players who made it to Columbus were QB Casey Clausen (CA), QB Matt LoVecchio (NJ), OL Nick Marmo (PA), TE Eric Knott (MI), LB Marco Cooper (MI), RB Noah Herron (MI), LB/FB Darrion Scott (WV), OL Shane Olivea (NY), and OL Jason Joyce (IL).

OL Shane Olivea is from Long Beach High in New York, the same high school that sent Pete Johnson and Scotty Graham to Ohio State. Olivea has started at tackle on both sides the ball since his sophomore season. He has a 3.4 GPA. Olivea's brother lives in Marietta, Ohio. Olivea likes OHIO STATE, BOSTON COLLEGE, SYRACUSE, MIAMI, FLORIDA STATE, FLORIDA, and ILLINOIS.

K Josh Huston (6'2 185) from Findlay (OH) visited the Buckeyes' practice session on Monday, April 19th. Huston, who made 8 of 13 field goals this past season, booted 62% of his kickoffs into the end zone. He has a 3.1 GPA. Huston told me, "I talked to coach Cooper, coach Conley, and John Hill. They told me they would be putting a kicker on scholarship in this recruiting class and they said they are trully interested in me. I'll be going to their kicking camp in June and they said there's a chance they could offer me a scholarship then. OHIO STATE is number one with MICHIGAN second. PENN STATE, SYRACUSE, and BOWLING GREEN are the others I'm looking at. Bowling Green has offered me a scholarship."

Three of the top prospects in the state of Michigan made it down to Ohio State's junior recruiting day this past Saturday. Let's begin with TE Eric Knott.

Eric Knott (6'4 235 4.55) from Detroit Henry Ford High is one of the nation's top TE's and arguably the top prospect in the state of Michigan. He told me, "TENNESSEE is up there, but I don't think I have a favorite
anymore. OHIO STATE, NOTRE DAME, and COLORADO have been coming on. I like MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE, FLORIDA STATE, TEXAS, KENTUCKY, GEORGIA, and NORTH CAROLINA too. They've all offered me a scholarship. I'm going to go to Michigan State for their spring game this weekend."

LB Marco Cooper (6'2 230 4.5) from Detoit Cass Tech made 114 tackles this past season. He is going into his fourth year as a varsity starter. Cooper told me, "MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE, NORTHWESTERN, INDIANA, and MINNESOTA have offered me a scholarship. I like those schools and OHIO STATE, PENN STATE, and PURDUE. I still don't have a favorite. But I liked it at Ohio State."

RB Noah Herron (5'11 215 4.4) from Mattawan rushed for just over 2000 yards this past season as he led his team to a 9-1 record. Herron told me, "I'm looking at MICHIGAN, OHIO STATE, NOTRE DAME, PENN STATE, and there's some others too. I had a good time at Ohio State."

April 19th
The Buckeyes had an outstanding group of prospects in attendance at their junior recruiting day on Saturday, both in terms of sheer numbers and quality. In my updates this coming week I'll be giving you plenty of information on many of those prospects who were in attendance. In this update let's cover several of those fine prospects, one of which has already committed to Ohio State, OL Larry Kinnard from Alliance. Kinnard of course committed to the Buckeyes back in March. I have him rated as the 7th best overall prospect in the state of Ohio.

Another offensive lineman from the state of Ohio that the Buckeyes would love to land who was at Ohio State on Saturday was Michael Munoz (6' '7 310 5.1) from Cincinnati Moeller. Munoz was accompanied by his father, former USC great Anthony Munoz. Michael is very very interested in OHIO STATE, but is also still looking at TENNESSEE, MICHIGAN, PENN STATE, and FLORIDA STATE. The first two schools have offered a scholarship.

Running back Walter Reyes (5'11 200 4.35) from Youngstown Struthers (OH) was at Ohio State as well on Saturday. Reyes, who gained 1450 yards this past season, has been offered a scholarship by the Buckeyes. Reyes told me coach Cooper spoke with him and Reyes said he was very impressed, but stopped short of committing to Ohio State. Reyes said OHIO STATE, PENN STATE, and INDIANA are his three favorite schools, and all three have offered a scholarship. Other schools on Reyes' list include NOTRE DAME, FLORIDA STATE, UCLA, and TEXAS.

Let's now move out-of-state and tell you about QB Casey Clausen (6'4 210 4.75) from Mission Hills Alemany (CA). Clausen threw for 3250 yards and 29 TD's this past season. He began his trip to the Midwest with a stop at NOTRE DAME on Thursday. While in South Bend Clausen spoke with Irish head coach Bob Davie. The Irish are very interested in Clausen though they did not offer a scholarship. Clausen's dad however told me he thinks the Irish will offer in May when they go out to his school during the May recruiting period. After his stop at Notre Dame Clausen then stopped at PURDUE on Friday, before finishing things up on Saturday at OHIO STATE. In addition to those three schools Clausen is also looking at MICHIGAN, COLORADO, and OREGON. Notre Dame is the only one that has not yet offered a scholarship. Clausen seemed very impressed with both coach Cooper and Buckeye quarterback coach Tim Salem.

OL Nick Marmo (6'6 310 5.2) from New Castle (PA) was another super out-of-state prospect at Ohio State on Saturday. Marmo also went to the Buckeyes junior recruiting day in February. He tells me his current favorites are PENN STATE, OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN, NOTRE DAME, TENNESSEE, and NEBRASKA with the Nittany Lions in the lead. Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee have offered a scholarship.

April 16th
Casey Clausen (6'4 210 4.75) from Mission Hills Alemany (CA) is one of the top quarterback prospects in the West and already has a number of scholarship offers on the table. He completed 182 of 285 passes (64%) this past season for 3250 yards. Casey connected for 29 scores with 11 interceptions. He is a dropback type QB, but will roll-out on occasion and moves around well in the pocket. Casey will run the option a little too. This fine athlete also averages 10 points and 10 rebounds per game in basketball. He has a 3.2 GPA. Casey was the varsity starting QB at Pasadena La-Canada High as a freshman before starting for Alemany the past two seasons. He told me, "I think I want to get away and go out-of-state to college. I like MICHIGAN, COLORADO, NOTRE DAME, OHIO STATE, OREGON, and PURDUE. Michigan, Colorado, and Ohio State said I have a scholarship. I've been to Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State for unofficial visits. I was at Ohio State a couple of months ago. I met the coaches and some of the players. I was real impressed with Ohio State. They have some California guys out there like Ken-Yon Rambo and Nai'll Diggs."

Another outstanding QB from out West that the Buckeyes are interested in is John Rattay from Phoenix Desert Vista (AZ). Rattay (6'4 200 4.65) completed 59.8% of his passes for 3200 yards and 37 TD's this past season. He has a very good arm and makes great decisions. Rattay has a 3.95 GPA. Among the schools in pursuit are OHIO STATE, FLORIDA STATE, UCLA, TENNESSEE, PURDUE, MICHIGAN, NOTRE DAME, USC, ARIZONA, and ARIZONA STATE.

Speaking of Casey Clausen, when I spoke with him earlier this week he told me he would be leaving on Wednesday for a trip to the Midwest. Casey said he would be at NOTRE DAME on Thursday and MICHIGAN on Saturday. Before leaving he sent me his picture via overnight express and in it was a note that he would be at OHIO STATE on Saturday rather than Michigan. Casey will be one of approximately 50 players who will be at the Buckeyes junior recruiting day Saturday.

RB/DB Webster Jackson (5'9 175 4.45) from Toledo Central Catholic (OH) rushed for 925 yards and averaged 6.2 per carry this past season. He also picked off 3 passes and averaged 25 yards a kick return. Webster was part of a Division 1 State Champion 4x100 relay team as a sophomore and plays basketball too. He has a 2.5 GPA. Webster is drawing interest from OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, PENN STATE, MICHIGAN STATE, and PITT among others.

WR/DB Jeff Rowe (6'1 170 4.5) from Sylvania Southview (OH) had a huge season on offense as a junior, catching 83 passes for 1463 yards, and averaging 17.6 per grab. He also picked off 2 passes and could play on either side of the ball in college. Jeff has run a 49.0 400 meters in track and has a 3.6 GPA. He is very interested in PENN STATE, but also likes OHIO STATE, PURDUE, and some MAC schools.

Of course the Buckeyes are having a big junior recruiting day on Saturday. Super OL Nick Marmo (6'6 310 5.2) from New Castle, Pennsylvania told me last night he plans to be in Columbus on Saturday. This will be Marmo's second trip to Ohio State as he also attended the Buckeyes' junior recruiting day in February. Marmo told me, "OHIO STATE, PENN STATE, MICHIGAN, NOTRE DAME, TENNESSEE, and NEBRASKA are the schools I'm looking at right now. Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee have offered me a scholarship. I'd say Penn State would be my leader right now."

Another super out-of-state player who is planning to attend the Buckeyes' junior recruiting day is TE Eric Knott from Detroit Henry Ford (MI). Knott is one of the country's premier tight ends and without question one of the top two players in the state of Michigan, if not the best. He continues to consider TENNESSEE, MICHIGAN, OHIO STATE, NOTRE DAME, MICHIGAN STATE, COLORADO, FLORIDA STATE, GEORGIA, and NORTH CAROLINA. Knott tells me all of those schools have already offered a scholarship with Tennessee continuing to hold the lead.

Two of the many players from the state of Ohio who plan to be at Ohio State Saturday are OL Michael Munoz from Cincinnati Moeller and RB Walter Reyes from Youngstown Struthers. The Buckeyes have offered Munoz a scholarship and are very, very interested in Reyes.

April 13, 1999
There is absolutely no question, Marcus Houston (6'2 205 4.4) from Denver Jefferson (CO) is one of the country's top prospects. He starts at both RB and SS, but prefers offense. Marcus rushed for 1750 yards, averaged 10.4 per carry, and scored 27 times this past season despite missing two games (he missed the two games as he was in the Netherlands as the keynote speaker for Amnesty International's Youth Campaign). Marcus, who benches 310 pounds, has a 3.6 GPA and scored a 930 on the SAT as a sophomore. Marcus' older brother Lovell is a DB at UCLA. Marcus is being pursued by UCLA, OHIO STATE, NOTRE DAME, MICHIGAN, USC, FLORIDA STATE, TEXAS, TEXAS A&M, WASHINGTON, COLORADO, ALABAMA, GEORGIA, OREGON, and many others across the country. Many of those schools have already offered a scholarship. Marcus tells me he is very open to all of the above schools and wants to go through the recruiting process.

Remember, the Buckeyes are holding a junior recruiting day this coming Saturday, and over 50 prospects are expected to make it to Ohio State to meet the coaches and see the facilities as the Buckeyes' spring practice sessions wind down.

One player who has already taken in one of the Buckeyes spring practice sessions is QB Bill Liber (6'4 195 4.8) from North Canton Hoover (OH). Liber has the potential to be the top signal caller in the state of Ohio by the end of this coming season. He completed 57% of his passes this past season for 1676 yards and 24 TD's. Liber was picked off just 6 times and 4 of those were on tipped balls. He has a 3.1 GPA. Liber's dad played TE and DE for Purdue. Liber is interested in the BOILERMAKERS as well as OHIO STATE, WISCONSIN, MICHIGAN, WAKE FOREST, MICHIGAN STATE, INDIANA, and PENN STATE.

The Buckeyes have dipped into the Fork Union post-graduate program to land such big-time talents as Eddie George and Ricky Dudley, as well as Mike Collins and Henry Fleming. This year the Bucks are taking a close look at QB Sean Cassidy who is in the Fork Union undergrad program. Sean is from Upper Arlington where his parents still live. However as a 9th grader he decided to enrol at Fork Union and has been there since. This past season he threw for over 1000 yards and completed 60% of his passes playing in a very run oriented offense. Sean gave some thought to coming back to Columbus and playing for Upper Arlington this season, but decided to stay for his senior season at Fork Union. He has a 3.5 GPA and scored an 1100 on the SAT. Sean is interested in OHIO STATE, NORTH CAROLINA, MICHIGAN, MIAMI, DUKE, and STANFORD.

OL Jeremy Caudill (6'4 290 4.7) from Prestonsburg will be one of the top prospects in the state of Kentucky this season. After starting at FB as a sophomore he moved to OT this past season. Jeremy will move back to FB as a senior, but will be an OL in college. He has a 3.9 GPA. Jeremy has already been offered a scholarship by Kentucky. He tells me, "KENTUCKY is high on my list, but I don't have any definite favorite yet. I want to take some visits before I decide anything. I like FLORIDA STATE, AUBURN, NOTRE DAME, PENN STATE, and OHIO STATE too. I get mail from all of them."

The Buckeyes had a junior recruiting day back in February and will also have plenty of recruits in attendance at the spring scrimmage game session at the Woody Hayes Facility at the end of this month. But in the meantime the Buckeyes will hold another junior recruiting day on Saturday April 17. Many fine prospects across state of Ohio will be in Columbus on that day. One of those prospects that plans to be there is DL Nick Thorbahn (6'4 270 5.0) from Oak Harbor. Thorbahn makes no secret of what college he would like to play football at. He tells me, "OHIO STATE is where I want to go. I'll be down there on April 17." Thorbahn made 72 tackles this past season from his DE spot including 9 sacks. As a sophomore he started at DT. Thorbahn went to the state in wrestling this year, and finished with a 38-10 record. He has a 2.6 GPA.

There's no doubt the Buckeyes would love to land a commitment from OL/DL Alex Stepanovich (6'5 275 5.0) from Berea (OH). I have Stepanovich rated as one of the top four prospects in the state of Ohio and he has already been offered a scholarship by Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State. Stepanovich, who has been a varsity starter since his freshman season, could play on either side of the ball in college and registered 14 sacks this past season. He has a 3.0 GPA. I spoke again with Stepanovich so let's give you the latest. He told me, "I'm still looking at the same four schools, OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE, and NEBRASKA. I'd like to get out to Nebraska some time before I make a decision. I've been to the other three schools. I'm not sure when I'll make my decision, I still don't have a favorite."

April 7th
RB Willis McGahee (6'1 215 4.45) from Florida played at Miami Springs High School this past season, but has already transferred to Miami Central where he'll play as a senior. Willis is one of the top backs in the state of Florida. He rushed for 1004 yards this past season, averaged 8.5 per carry, and scored 15 times. Willis has an outstanding combination of size, power, and speed. He has run 10.9 100 meters in track. Willis has a 2.5 GPA. He tells us, "MIAMI, OHIO STATE, and FLORIDA, those are my top three, but I don't have a favorite yet. Some other schools I'm also looking at are SYRACUSE and ALABAMA. I like watching Ohio State on T.V. They have a good running game."

LB Carlton Baker (6'1 215 4.55) from Belle Glade Glades Central (FL) started at outside linebacker this past season and seemed to be all over the field. He made 125 tackles including 6 sacks. Carlton might move to middle linebacker this coming season. He runs very well and delivers a tremendous blow. Carlton as a 2.6 GPA. He tells us, "Out-of-state I like OHIO STATE, ALABAMA, and MICHIGAN. In Florida I like FLORIDA and MIAMI. I don't know that much about Ohio State yet, but I hear they have a good program and produce good linebackers."

Jim Colla (6'5 285 5.2) from Youngstown Boardman (OH) is one of several fine offensive line prospects in the Youngstown area who are drawing quite a bit of attention from recruiters. He can dominate at times and has pretty good quickness for a big guy. Jim is also a starter on the basketball team and has a 3.3 GPA. He names NOTRE DAME, OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN STATE, SYRACUSE, and NEBRASKA as his favorite schools, but is also interested in MICHIGAN and BOWLING GREEN.

OL Justin Barton (6'6 290 5.2) from Voorhees Eastern (NJ) has the potential to be one of the best offensive linemen in the state of New Jersey. He is very athletic (averages 15 points a game in basketball) and has excellent size. Barton has a 2.9 GPA. His father went to grad school at Ohio State as did his mother. Barton likes OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN, NORTH CAROLINA, FLORIDA STATE, ILLINOIS, NOTRE DAME, and SYRACUSE.

Another player from the state of New Jersey who likes Ohio State is DB/WR Gerald Butler (6'2 180 4.5) from Lakewood. Butler picked off 4 passes this past season. He has a 2.5 GPA. Butler told me, "Right now OHIO STATE and RUTGERS are two schools I'm really looking at. But some others I like are MICHIAN STATE, BOSTON COLLEGE, and MARYLAND."

DE Sam Ruhe (6'5 240 4.6) from Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (OH) has been busy visiting schools and is going to get even busier in the near future. Ruhe, who made 88 tackles including 8 sacks last season, went to a spring practice session at OHIO STATE last Friday and did the same at NOTRE DAME the weekend before. He also recently visited NORTHWESTERN, and Ruhe tells me he will probably visit MICHIGAN and PENN STATE in the near future. "I liked it at Ohio State. It was intense. They looked good. I like the coaches there. I liked it at Notre Dame too. Coach Mattison told me before I left they have a scholarship for me. Ohio State and Northwestern have offered too. But I'm not close to deciding I don't think. I wouldn't say I even have a favorite yet," Ruhe told me.

DL/OL Charles Gilstrap (6'3 280 5.0) from Columbus DeSales (OH)
started at tackle on both sides of the ball this past season for the state champion Stallions. He prefers defense though he could wind up on either side of the ball in college. Gilstrap has a 3.0 GPA. His father tells me Charles is receiving mail from OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN, BOSTON COLLEGE, NOTRE DAME, MINNESOTA, MICHIGAN STATE, KENTUCKY, BOWLING GREEN, FLORIDA, WASHINGTON, MINNESOTA, and TOLEDO. According to his father, Charles is interested in all of those schools with Ohio State, Michigan, and Boston College the favorites.

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