9:00 AM ET The work on the recruiting trail for 2016 is complete, so barring a few late tweaks or transfers, rosters across the Big Ten are pretty much set with national signing day in the books. The ESPN.com reporting crew is taking a look at what each team in the conference looks like now with a new class on the way, continuing with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Team’s position of strength: Quarterback Urban Meyer is not just set at the most important position on the field in the short term with one of the top dual-threat weapons in the nation, the Ohio State coach is already well positioned for the foreseeable future after signing Joe Burrow last year and adding Dwayne Haskins as part of his banner 2016 recruiting class. The Buckeyes may not have managed the battle between Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett perfectly last season, but the team is undoubtedly Barrett’s moving forward and Meyer’s offensive system is in steady hands. Jordan Fuller, one of the nation’s top 100 prospects, will have a chance to make an impact in the Ohio State secondary as a freshman. Tom Hauck for Student SportsTeam’s biggest need heading into signing day: Defensive backs There wasn’t much doubt that Ohio State was going to be hit hard by early departures to the draft, but no unit felt that sting more than the secondary with cornerback Eli Apple and safeties Tyvis Powell and Vonn Bell all skipping off to the NFL. Those defections leave the Buckeyes with only one returning starter in the defensive backfield, and Gareon Conley is obviously going to need some help from a couple of fresh faces. Ohio State recruits cornerbacks and safeties maybe better than any program in the country, and it probably will be putting some inexperienced players to the test this fall. How Ohio State addressed the need: Signing five guys for the secondary Just like usual, the Buckeyes aggressively pursued cornerbacks and safeties on the recruiting trail and landed another impressive haul. There’s not much doubt about the talent the Buckeyes signed in a group headlined by cornerback Jordan Fuller and safety Jahsen Wint, but the question looming now for Meyer is how quickly he can get those guys ready to contribute. …
Continue Reading: Recruiting wrap: Ohio State Buckeyes
