Looking ahead to Ohio State, the Ducks are obviously up against a solid team and a historic program. How did Coach Urban Meyer assemble this team? How did the pavement-pounding days on the recruiting trail translate into a title game experience?
The rich history of Ohio State ranges from coaching great Woody Hayes to seven Heisman winners: Les Horvath (1944), Vic Janowicz (1950), Howard ‘Hopalong’ Cassady (1955), Archie Griffin (1974 and 1975–only two time winner), Eddie George (1995), Troy Smith (2006) and includes great players like Jack Tatum, Chic Harley, Cris Carter, Chris Spielman, Orlando Pace and A.J. Hawk.
But what about this team? In the in-exact science of recruiting, how have Ohio State’s efforts translated into a championship team and individual awards? What kind of talent will the Ducks face Monday night? Let’s take a look the starting 25 for Ohio State and their rankings as recruits according to Rivals.com:
Offense:
QB: Cardale Jones: 6’5″ 240 RS SO: 3-Star QB from Fork Union, VA
RB: Ezekiel Elliot: 6’0″ 225 SO: 4-Star RB from St. Louis, Missouri: Also offers from Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame and UCLA
WR: Evan Spencer: 6’2″ 208 SR: 3-Star WR from Vernon Hills, IL: Also offers from Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon and Wisconsin.
WR: Michael Thomas: 6’3″ 203 SO: 4-Star WR from Fork Union, VA: Also offers from Boise State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State and UCLA
WR: Jalin Marshall: 5’11” 203 SO: 4-Star WR from Middleton, Ohio: Also offers from Indiana, Tennessee, UCLA and Notre Dame
TE: Jeff Heuerman: 6’5″ 240: 3 Star TE from Naples, Florida: Also offers from Iowa, LSU, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin. 2014 2nd Team All Big-10.
LT: Taylor Decker: 6’7″ 315 JR: 4-Star OT from Vandalia, Ohio: Also offers from Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin. 2014 2nd Team All Big-10.
LG: Billy Price: 6’4″ 312 FR: 4-Star DT from Youngtown, Ohio, Also offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame and UCLA
C: Jacoby Boren: 6’1″ 290 JR: 3-Star Center from Pickerington, Ohio
RG: Pat Elfein: 6’3 300 SO: 3-Star Guard from Pickerington, Ohio: Also offers from Cincinatti, Northwestern, Purdue and Indiana. 2014 2nd Team All Big-10
RT: Darryl Baldwin: 6’6″ 307 SR: 3-Star DE from Solon, Ohio: Also offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Penn State
K: Sean Nuernberger: 6’1″ 230 RFR: 3-Star Kicker from Buckner, KY
Defense
DE: Joey Bosa: 6’5″ 278 SO: 4-Star DE from Fort Lauderdale, FL: Also offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Florida State. 2014 1st Team All Big-10. 2014 1st Team All-American
DT: Adolphus Washington: 6’4″ 295 JR: 5-Star DE from Cincinatti, Ohio: Also offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and USC
DT: Michael Bennett: 6’2″ 288 SR: 4 Star DT from Centralville, Ohio: Also offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Stanford and USC. 2014 2nd Team All Big-10.
DE: Steve Miller: 6’3″ 255 SO: 4-Star DE from Canton, Ohio: Also offers from Florida, Michigan, Nebraska and Tennesee
SLB: Darron Lee: 6’2″ 228 FR: 3-Star Athlete from New Albany, Ohio: Also offers from Arizona State, Duke, Purdue and West Virginia
MLB: Curtis Grant: 6’3″ 238 SR: 5-Star LB from Richmond, Virginia: Also offers from Alabama, Florida, Nebraska and Clemond
WLB: Joshua Perry: 6’4″ 252 JR: 4-Star LB from Galena, Ohio: Also offers from Cincinatti, Duke and Michigan State. 2014 2nd Team All Big-10.
CB: Eli Apple: 6’1″ 198 FR: 4-Star DB from Voorhees, New Jersey: Also offers from Alabama, Clemson, Miami and Notre Dame
S: Tyvis Powell: 6’3″ 208 SO: 3-Star DB from Bedford, Ohio: Also offers from Michigan State, Minnesota and Syracuse
S: Von Bell: 5’10” 200 SO: 4-Star DB from Rossville, Georgia: Also offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Texas and UCLA
CB: Doran Grant: 5’11” 193 SO: 4 Star DB from Akron, Ohio: Also offers from Arizona, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma and USC. 2014 2nd Team All Big-10.
Nickel: Armani Reeves: 5’10” 198 JR: 4-Star CB from Roxberry, MA: Also offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford and Penn State.
P: Cameron Johnston: 6’0″ 195 SO: from Gleelong, Australia: Former Australian Rules Football Player.
With well-recruited players on both teams, this will be one fine game!
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Living literally walking distance from Husky Stadium in the heart of Husky country, Adam is a passionate Duck fan originally from Salem, Oregon. Adam is a long-time season ticket holder and owner of no less than five Duck jerseys he proudly rotates and wears to work every Friday during the fall. Adams works as an Account Executive in the Cloud Software business and in his spare time, hangs out with his wife Rachael and daughter Addison. Go Ducks!