Getty ImagesBy name recognition it won’t be Ohio State’s biggest “get” on signing day, but it’ll likely be one of the more satisfying ones for a former Florida head coach.
As late as yesterday, it was being reported that the Gators were “still in good shape” when it came to landing wide receiver James Clark. In the end, it was the exact opposite as the 5-11, 170-pound New Smyrna Beach (Fla.) product announced Wednesday that he had opted to sign with Urban Meyer and Ohio State. OSU, UF and Clemson were in the receiver’s final three. The four-star’s decision came a couple of days after a visit to Gainesville.
Clark is rated by Rivals.com as the No. 45 receiver in the country. He’s the second recruit who is listed as a receiver (four-star Mississippi HS WR Corey Smith) to become a part of Meyer’s 2013 class. Three-star receiver Taivon Jacobs, an OSU verbal commitment, flipped to his home state Maryland, in part because of Clark’s signing.
Meyer and his staff were far from done, however, as they also landed what many considered to be a five-star surprise and one who could push the class to the cream of the 2013 recruiting crop.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that highly-rated Georgia high school safety Vonn Bell would be signing with Tennessee. At a press conference later in the morning, however, Bell announced that he would instead sign with the Buckeyes.
Meyer had hinted Wednesday morning that there was one player whose status he and his staff were uncertain of. Bell cleared up the uncertainty a short time later, much to the detriment of the Vols.
Bell becomes the second Rivals-five-star recruit in OSU’s 2013 class, which entered the day tied with, who else, Florida for the No. 2 class behind Alabama. The early returns are that Bell’s commitment has pushed the Buckeyes past both the Tide and the Gators into Rivals‘ top spot, at least for the time being.
Sweet! Guess we better make room in the trophy case for another crystal football…why even bother playing the games!
Alabama has had the #1 recruiting class 4 out of the last 5 years so for anyone to say recruiting rankings don’t matter now stats say different. TOSU is on a mission!!!
Still got to play the games, but this news does make me smile, A lot. I don’t really understand how they determine who has the top class, but being able to edge a school like Bama is pretty cool for a school in the B1G.
As a UT fan, I wish Bell luck in his future. I still can’t believe that our previous coach (the a$$ Dooley) didn’t even try to recruit him. But that’s what happens when an entire coaching staff stops recruiting (or even trying) after losing the second game in the season….
Big day so far for Ohio State.
Not to be outdone, Brady Hoke is working the phones hard with the pizza delivery driver and is willing to oversign to seal the deal. They say they need 24 hours notice on a sheet pizza, but Hoke can close like few coaches in the B1G can.
this is the first time i’ve heard anywhere that florida is behind alabama and ohio st is above #4
As a Buckeye fan, it’s nice to see us squeak out the top ranking just above Bama. But reality is what it has been for the last 5 years plus… the SEC has 5 of the top 10 classes. Given that density of top recruits there, it makes them what they are in dominating the college scene. (Big 10 is next with 2… including Mee-chagin). It’s no small wonder the SEC title game was better than the NC. That said, if a 1 loss runner-up SEC team doesn’t get into the NC over a no loss Big10, ND, FSU…, they burned their own bridge IMO. Win your conference or stay at home…
Oversigning! The bane of college football! It’s how that cheater Nick Saban and the whole crooked SEC win! They crush lids’s dreams! Why there ought to be a law! Why there…..
Oh, wait, you mean Ohio State and Michigan have more commits that Alabama? Great recruiting! See how many people want to play in the Big Ten! They heard about our Leaders and Legends and are willing to risk not playing to be part of it! Meyer and Hoke, you’re GREAT!!!
That should be “kids’ dreams.” Damn, why couldn’t Autocorrect catch THAT?
Urban will never have trouble in the recruiting area. Excellent class!!
Not much coming out of South Bend.
USC’s day is really bad.
But I think as of now 5 of the top 10 classes are from the SEC!!
It all starts with recruiting in college ball, and that’s what Urban really brought to the table for Ohio State. The other B1G coaches may complain about how he does things, but they’d better learn how to recruit aggressively, too, or it’s going to be the Urban show up there for a long time to come.
So what you’re telling me is that there are FORTY-FOUR other WR’s that Florida can still get to make up for the loss of this kid, right?
Just kidding…
As much as I love college football, I really don’t pay attention to this aspect of it. I know, I know, I probably should. Like another post said, Alabama is proof of its importance. High school kids. Hmm…
Urban f@#$ing Meyer is building a monster in Columbus and as a Buckeye, I couldn’t be more elated!!! I have no idea how far this team gets in 2013, but you can bet another recruiting class like this next year sets us up amazingly well next year!!! It is going to be fun to watch!!!