Recruiting is as much about bringing in elite talent as it is filling team needs, and few coaches in college football—if any—manage the balancing act better than Urban Meyer.
Ohio State’s 2014 recruiting class, which currently boasts 22 outstanding prospects, serves as a perfect example of that.
The Buckeyes return a lot of experienced players next season, but legitimate depth issues at linebacker and along the offensive line were a major concern.
As national signing day approaches, Meyer and the Buckeyes’ coaching staff have successfully addressed those issues.
Here’s a closer look at how Ohio State filled its roster needs.
Linebacker
Filling out the depth at linebacker was a process that started last year when the Buckeyes brought in a pair of 4-star prospects in Mike Mitchell and Trey Johnson.
Still in need of bodies, Meyer went out and secured four highly touted prospects, all of which were rated as 4-star recruits or better.
The Buckeyes’ search started in state when Sam Hubbard, a 6’6″, 225-pound athlete who will likely develop into an outside linebacker, announced his verbal commitment. Three days later, on April 8, Kyle Berger followed suit.
Dante Booker committed six weeks later, giving Ohio State a trio of 4-star linebackers that most teams would be happy with. Meyer’s biggest target, though, was still undecided.
That target, 5-star inside linebacker Raekwon McMillan, was one of the hottest prospects in this…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Football: 2014 Class Filling Big Holes in Buckeyes’ Roster
