Get Up to Speed on Who’s Who Before the Spring Game
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Urban Meyer |
Spring football is just around the corner! Sure, the real season may be months away, but it’s never too early to start thinking about getting together for food, fun, and football with tailgates at the Horseshoe.
Buckeyes fans are a loyal bunch. And for good reason. We have arguably the best football program in the country and some of the most passionate tailgates. Of course, you need not be a college football expert to enjoy your time in Columbus on a football weekend, but if you plan to attend the spring game, as well as games and tailgates this fall, now is the time to get up to speed on Ohio State’s newest players!
Since he took over before the 2012 season, Urban Meyer has fueled Ohio State’s on-field success by dominating in recruiting circles across the country. Meyer has provided Buckeyes fans with plenty to cheer for as he’s never had a recruiting class ranked outside of the Top 10 nationally. Meanwhile, all of his recruiting classes except his 2015 group were ranked in the Top 5. Since 2012, Ohio State has recruited the best group of players among all Big Ten teams. Needless to say, we as Ohio State fans have full bragging rights when it comes to our football program!
This year was no different and fans who have packed the “Shoe” in the past decades will have plenty more to cheer for when the season begins.
The Buckeyes welcomed another talented recruiting class on National Signing Day, one many recruiting experts are calling Meyer’s best yet. The group of 21 recruits included five five-star recruits. A handful could have a shot to play immediately as freshmen as the Buckeyes look to return to the top of the Big Ten in 2017.
Read up on these players now so you can be ready for the team’s spring game on April 15—one of the best chances to come back to campus for an afternoon of football and to catch up with brothers. Hopefully it’ll hold you over until the real season—WITH ALL ITS TAILGATING GLORY—begins this fall.
Here are a few new players expected to make an impact on the field as the team heads into spring practice.
| Jeffrey Okudah, Cornerback, South Grand Prairie, Texas: Okudah is probably the best player in this class. A speedy cornerback who can also play safety, Odukah was a First Team All-District selection and was a U.S. Army All-American. Considered the top cornerback in the country, Okudah is also considered the second-best prospect in the entire state of Texas and the seventh best overall player nationally. He’s got a chance to see the field right away and the Buckeyes will likely need him to do more than a freshman would be asked to do typically with the loss of starters Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore. All-American safety Malik Hooker also left for the NFL Draft so Ohio State could plug Okudah in on the backend of the defense. Okudah enrolled in January, will be with the team through spring practice and will be ahead of the curve when training camp starts in August as a result. |
Jeffrey Okudah |
| Chase Young, Defensive End, Hyattsville, Md.: The Buckeyes have a bunch of game-ready defensive linemen so Young may have to marinate in the program for a little while before he sees major playing time on Saturdays. When he does, he should be bigger and stronger since he’s got plenty of time to add weight to his 6-foot-5 frame. To better gage Young’s potential, recruiting experts consider him to be the eighth-best prospect in the country, second-best defensive end, and top recruit from the state of Maryland. |
Chase Young |
| Shaun Wade, Cornerback, Jacksonville, Fla.: The Buckeyes loaded up on defensive backs in this class and for good reason. They’ll have to replace three fourths of their secondary and like Okudah, Wade will have a shot at playing time right away. The fact that he enrolled early in January like Okudah will only help him prepare. There’s also the fact that Wade’s skills are comparable to Okudah. He projects as a top cover corner but will need to add some weight to muscle up against a bunch of strong Big Ten receivers. Wade is just under 180 pounds but getting bigger shouldn’t be too tough. You can’t teach speed or athleticism, and Wade has those attributes covered. He’s considered the second best corner nationally, fourth best recruit at any position in the state of Florida and the 17th-best player nationally. |
Shaun Wade |
Click HERE to check out the fall schedule and plan which games you’ll be attending with your brothers!