[Editor's note: Jonathan Cornwell's rankings
are an "average" of the ranking of the top
recruiting experts such as Tom Lemming, National
Recruiting Advisor, Prep Star, etc.]
* = No longer with the Program.
* David Priestley (6-2 200, 4.8 Cypress,CA
) QB
Attended OSU summer camp and was hand picked by QB coach Walt Harris.
Had a great junior year but did not particularly stand out as a senior.
Has a great arm and a knack for reading defense. Remains a solid QB
prospect.
* Trasnferred to Pitt.
* Austin Moherman (6-5 200, 4.7 Mission
Vjo,CA ) QB
Great all around athlete who attended the OSU football summer camp
and was hand picked by quarterback coach Walt Harris. One of the top
QB's on the West Coast this year. Rated a top 10 QB nationally by many
recruiting services. Had a better junior year than senior year. According
to his coach, did not have a great receiver corps surrounding him this
year so his season suffered due to dropped balls. Said to have an absolute
cannon of an arm.
* Transferred.
* Darnell Sanders (6-5 215, 4.5 Warensville,OH
) Athlete
Outstanding Athlete who could play several positions at the college
level. Played QB in high school, but many see him as a T/E or OLB on
the college level. Was very high on Michigan's wish list. Has the size
and speed to be a dominant player.
Left early for NFL.
* Henry Fleming (6-7 290, Fork Union,VA
) OL
A virtual unknown in high school who took an extra year to mature at
Fork Union military academy. Played for the Fork Union graduate team
and had a phenomenal season. Was heavily recruited by heavy weights
such as Michigan, Colorado, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Virginia.
* Completed Eligibility
* Tam Hopkins (6-5 315, 5.2 WinterPark,FL)
OL
All everything OL from Florida. Rated All American by Tom Lemming,
and the 9th best recruit nationally by The National Recruiting Advisor.
Kurelic calls him one of the top 5 OL in the nation. First team All
American on the prestigious USA Today All American team. Chose OSU over
Miami, Florida, and Nebraska.
* Completed Eligibility
* Ben Pulfer (6-6 270, 5.0 Sidney,OH )
DL
Rated the number 6 prospect in Ohio by Bill Kurelic and the 87th best
prospect nationally by Tom Lemming. Was an early comittment to the Buckeyes.
Has a big frame and will probably continue to get bigger. Excellent
DT prospect.
* Medical Waiver
Mike Collins (6-5 275, 4.9 Newark,OH)
DL/OL
Rated the 10th best prospect in Ohio this year by Bill Kurelic. His
stock improved during the year due to a fine senior season. Can dominate
a game as either an OL or DL. Bench press of close to 400 pounds. Expected
to compete for playing time at NG next year. Will probably attend Fork
Union and will be a part of next year's recruiting class.
* Completed Eligibility
* Rodney Bailey (6-5 260, 4.9 Cleveland,
OH) DL/DE
Rated by Kurelic as the 8th best prospect in Ohio this year and by
Lemming as the 36th best prospect nationally. Terrorized the Cleveland
area this year from his defensive end position. Attended the OSU summer
camp and was offered a scholarship by the coaches. Could play DE or
NG on the next level.
* Completed Eligibility
* Jason Ott (6-4 235, 4.7 Cinci,OH ) LB
First player to commit to the Buckeyes this year. Rated the number
one player in the State by Bill Kurelic. Rated All American by Tom Lemming.
Rated All American and the 23rd best player in the nation by National
Recruiting Advisor. Rated the 30th best player in the nation by Jonathan
Cornwell. Is described as a "throw back" player because he
plays like a Ray Neitzke or Dick Butkus. Has a chance to be a first
year impact player at OSU.
* Medical Waiver.
Joe Cooper (6-2 205,
4.5 Columbus,OH ) Athlete
A player who was little known until after the season began. Preseason
rated the 42nd best player in the state by Bill Kurelic. Had a phenomenal
senior year, recording an astounding 32 sacks. Has speed enough to play
safety, but could grow into an OLB prospect. Also plays fullback.
* Completed eligibility.
* Greg Simpson (6-1 205, 4.5 Dublin,OH
) DB/RB
Rated All American by Tom Lemming and the 12th best player in Ohio
by Bill Kurelic. High school teammate of current Buckeye Nick Goings.
Had a fabulous senior year at both tailback and defensive back. Recruited
by the Buckeyes as a DB. Is described by his coach as "a play maker
and a clutch player".
* Failed to maintain academic eligibility.
* David Mitchell (6-1 185, 4.5 Westerville,OH)
DB
Rated by Bill Kurelic as the 15th best player in Ohio this year. Attended
the OSU summer camp and was offered a scholarship by the coaches at
the camp. Father played for Penn State. Strongest asset is his speed.
Is seen as a cover corner prospect.
* Completed Eligibility
* Heath Queen (6-5 265, 4.9 Lodi,OH) DL
Rated the 14th best prospect in Ohio this year by Bill Kurelic. Visited
Ohio State on 12/13. Was commited to Michigan State but opted to change
his commitment after his OSU visit. Is a very fine student as well
as athlete.
* Medical Waiver
* Scott Fulton (6-0, 225, 4.60) FB
Was named all Met (includes Maryland, Virginia, and D.C.) as a running
back for Dematha High. Is known as a bone crushing blocker and is a
pure fullback. Is also a highly effective runner gaining 1279 yards
on 132 carries his senior season (9.40 yds/carry) and scoring ten touchdowns.
Very good student with a 3.0 GPA and 1000 on SAT. Visited Penn State
and was recruited by E. Carolina, Pitt, Virginia Tech, and Stanford.
An extremely hard nose individual. Also an All American caliber Lacrosse
player. Fills the Buckeye's need for a blocking fullback that can also
carry the ball.
* Transferred
* Reggie Germany ( 6-3 180, 4.4 Hazelwood,MO)
WR
Rated the 37th best prospect nationally by Tom Lemming and a top 100
player by The National Recruiting Advisor. He was recruited by Missouri,
Kansas, and Michigan. Visited Ohio State in October. Originally committed
to Missouri but changed his mind and decided to become a Buckeye. Caught
30 passes his senior year for 625 yards and 10 touchdowns. Grades could
be a problem as he has not yet qualified.
* Completed Eligibility
* Sean Penny (6-2 215, 4.5 Youngstn,OH)
RB
Preseason top running back in Ohio. Bill Kurelic rates him the 11th
best player in Ohio. Tom Lemming rates him an All American. National
Recruing Advisor rates him the 99th best prospect nationally. Has both
speed and power. Could also play safety at the next level. Grades could
be a problem. Recruited by Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, and
West Virginia. Will attend Fork Union Military if he does not qulaify.
* Medical Waiver
* Derek Combs (6-2 180, 4.4 GroveCity,OH)
RB
Came out of nowhere to be the top running back prospect in Ohio this
year. "Mr. Football" in Ohio. Rated the 4th best prospect
in the state by Bill Kurelic, and the 79th best prospect nationally
by The National Recruiting advisor. Recruited by Michigan, Kentucky,
Northwestern, and Kansas. Was the 3rd fastest player at the Michigan
football camp last summer. Final choice came down to OSU and Michigan.
Chose OSU because he felt more comfortable with the program and players.
Admited to being influenced by the Rose Bowl win and the chance to play
for a national championship.
* Completed eligibility
Courtland Bullard
(6-3 210, 4.6 Miami,FL) LB
Was thought to be a lock for Miami but ruled them out. Consided Iowa
State, Florida State, Florida, and Tennessee. All American according
to Tom Lemming and rated the 5th best prospect nationally by Jonathan
Cornwell. Decided he favored the Buckeyes after watching the Rose Bowl.
Was recruited very heavily by both Florida and Florida State.
* Completed eligibility.
* Timothy Cheetwood (6-5, 215, 4.55, Cleveland
Ohio) WR/DB
Fine all around athlete that played both wide receiver and defensive
back in high school. Is currently ticketed for a safety position but
could grow into a Craig Powell type OLB or a Ricky Dudley type tight
end. Recruited as an "Athlete" by the OSU staff.
* Completed eligibility.
* Paul Breed (6-7, 290, 4.8, City Coleege
of San Francisco) DL
Junior College transfer who has all the tools to be an excellent defensive
lineman. Will probably enroll at OSU in summer or fall quarter. Runs
extremely wll for a big man. Could be a real sleeper in this year's
recruiting class. Attended High School in San Francisco.
* Failed to maintain academic eligibility
* Ashanti Webb (5-11, 185, 4.4, E. Central
Mississippi Comm. Coll.) DB
A true corner back who could help the Buckeyes immediately. Originally
committed to Auburn out of high school. Was offered a scholarship by
Florida State. Reputed to be an excellent cover man and also excelled
on special teams. Blocked 8 kicks last year in Junior College ball.
Originally from the state of Florida.
* Completed eligibility
* Jim Massey (6-4, 270, 5.0, Cleveland
St. Ignatious) OL
Very good offensive line prospect that was committed to Wisconsin but
changed his mind at the last minute and decided to become a Buckeye.
Is only 17 years old and still has tremendous growth potential. Could
easily end up a 300+ pound tackle, particularly in the right weight
program. Is a probable red shirt candidate because of his youth. Will
be awarded the scholarship that had been reserved for Sam Crenshaw now
that Crenshaw has signed with Penn State.
Medical Waiver after his fourth season.
* Kenyon Rambo (6-1 180, 4.5 LongBeach,CA)
Rated the 18th best prospect nationally by Tom Lemming, 5th by The
National Recruiting Advisor, and 2nd by Jonathan Cornwell. This man
is a true Blue Chipper and a real game breaker. Recruited by Arizona,
California, Texas, and USC. Came down to OSU and USC. Has now committed
to OSU but has not yet signed his national letter of intent. Is considered
by many to be the top WR prospect in the nation this year and the best
WR to come out of California in 10 years.
* Completed eligibility