The Ohio State Buckeyes and head coach Urban Meyer are squarely focused on January 12th's national championship game against the Oregon Ducks, but it's never too early to take a look at just how OSU plans to reload for the 2015 season and beyond.
Which recruits have dreams of bringing a championship to Columbus? Who's looking elsewhere? We look to answer these questions and more in our Ohio State Football Recruiting: Saturday Rumors Roundup.
Did five-star running back Damien Harris just tip his hand?
5-star Berea, Ky. running back Damien Harris has narrowed his list down to the Ohio State Buckeyes, Alabama Crimson Tide, and his homestate Kentucky Wildcats, but he may have tipped his hand when 5-star defensive back Kendall Sheffield announced his intent to sign with Alabama in the fourth quarter of the Under Armour All-America Game on Friday.
Harris seemed extremely excited when Sheffield made his announcement, joining 5-star defensive lineman Daron Payne who committed to Alabama in the second quarter of Friday's game.
It might be nothing, as Alabama (6 percent) currently trails Kentucky (56 percent) and Ohio State (31 percent) on his 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions page. However, it's something to at least keep mind of in advance of Harris' scheduled January 9th announcement during a ceremony at his school.
Burrow shows why Urban Meyer made him a priority
Athens (Ohio) quarterback and Buckeye commitment Joe Burrow was awared Mr. Football honors for the state of Ohio in December, and it's easy to see why.
Overall, the 6-foot-4 and 205-pound Burrow completed 72 percent of his passes (250-of-346) for 4,445 yards and 63 touchdowns against just two interceptions during his senior season at Athens High School. Burrows led Athens to a 14-1 record, and showed his dual-threat capabilities by rushing for 642 yards on 108 carries, averaging 5.9 yards per carry with five touchdowns.
Those eye-popping numbers along with a great reputation show just why Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes staff went so hard after Burrow, despite him registering just a 3-star rating in 247Sports' Composite Ranking system.
OSU commits talk Sugar Bowl, national title game
No group of guys was happier at the Semper Fidelis All-American East Team practices on Friday than OSU commits Joe Burrow, Nick Conner, Jamel Dean, and Carlton Davis, after watching the Buckeyes upset the favored Alabama Crimson Tide 42-35 in Thursday's Sugar Bowl.
Courtesy of 247Sports, here are all four guys' reactions to the stunning win and OSU's upcoming title clash against the Oregon Ducks:
Burrow
On the Sugar Bowl- "They played very well, the defensive stepped up. Cardale was very impressive for only his second start. I think it shows how good our coaches are."
On the match-up with Oregon- "Oregon looked very, very good in their game, but so did we. We beat a good Alabama team and I like our chances in the national championship game. I'll predict we win 200-0 [laughs]."
Conner
On the Sugar Bowl- "I didn't get to watch much because we were at Universal, but Joe and I watched the first half and I thought we kind of were screwing around in the first half, the first and goal and stuff. I thought we were about to give the game to them. The defense played great, the offense was out there making plays, Zeke was making plays. Darron Lee, I saw a lot of him throughout the night, just watching when I could throughout the game. It was a sweet win."
On the match-up with Oregon- "I don't know about a score prediction, but I know their offense is fast, so the defense is definitely going to have to step up with the temp. I know it's hard from myself playing against quick tempo offenses. You have to keep the defense calm and relaxed and just get them back to the field, ready to go."
Davis
On the Sugar Bowl- "I think it was a great team win. There were a lot of doubters. Urban Meyer and his staff just came out and proved everyone wrong."
On the match-up with Oregon- "I think we have a 100-percent chance to win the game. I'm really confident in them. I think it will be a high scoring game. I'll say the Buckeyes win 40-29."
Dean
On the Sugar Bowl- "They were very impressive. They should have gone to the championship the last couple years. Last year they fell short, so it's good to see them get there this year. I really do believe the Big Ten is coming back."
On the match-up with Oregon- "It's going to be a great match-up. Oregon has a great team, especially on offense, but they're good on defense too. I can't make a prediction right now, It's going to be a good game between two fast teams.
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