The Ohio State Buckeyes have won two national titles since the turn of the century, and that success has made them a destination for several top recruits. Here are the highest-rated prospects that have come to campus since 2000:
RB Maurice Clarett - Class of 2002
Clarett was Ohio's Mr. Football in 2001 and only wore the scarlet and grey for one season, but he was the driving force behind Ohio State's 2002 national championship team, winning the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. After that he challenged the NFL's underclassmen eligibility rules and never played another down for the Buckeyes.
He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, though he was cut in training camp. Clarett had numerous run-ins with the law and spent some time in prison. He last played football for the Omaha Nighthawks of the Omaha Football League in 2012.
WR Ted Ginn, Jr. - Class of 2004
Ginn came to Ohio State as a five-star defensive back, but he was quickly switched to wide receiver and saw instant success, especially as a kick returner. He ended up becoming a first-team All-American on the 2006 team that lost in the national title game, and went pro after his junior season.
He was drafted ninth overall by the Miami Dolphins, and he has since had a successful career playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, and now the Arizona Cardinals.
OL Alex Boone - Class of 2005
Boone was the lone five-star recruit in his class, and was a four-year starter at Ohio State. Despite being a two-time All-Big Ten performer, he went undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft due to concerns about alcohol abuse.
The San Francisco 49ers gave him a chance on their practice squad, and has since become a starter and one of the anchors of their line.
RB Beanie Wells - Class of 2006
Wells was a Parade All-American and was supposed to be the next great Ohio State back after Maurice Clarett, and he fulfilled those expectations in his sophomore and junior seasons, being named a second team All-American in 2007.
He left after his junior season and was drafted 31st overall by the Arizona Cardinals. Wells became the full-time starter in 2011, and set a franchise-record with 226 yards in a game. He finished with over 1,000 rushing yards that season, but a turf toe injury and torn ACL effective ended his career after that.
QB Terrelle Pryor - Class of 2008
Pryor was the top recruit in the country and picked Ohio State over Michigan, and ended up starting the last nine games of his freshman season. He ended up winning the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl in his last two seasons with the Buckeyes, and won the Big Ten championship all three years he was in school.
However, most fans remember him as being one of the players who put Ohio State on NCAA probation by selling game memorabilia and trading them for tattoos. Pryor then withdrew from the university and went into the NFL's supplemental draft. He was picked up by the Oakland Raiders, and has since spent time as a backup on the Seattle Seahawks and currently the Kansas City Chiefs.
Pryor does hold the NFL record for longest run by a quarterback, a 93-yard scamper when he was with Oakland.
WR DeVier Posey - Class of 2008
Posey was another guy involved in the NCAA scandal, which ended his college career early. He never quite lived up to his five-star billing for the Buckeyes without having a 1,000 yard season, but decided to to into the regular NFL draft following his suspension. The Houston Texans drafted him in the third round of the 2012 draft, and is still a backup receiver for the team.
DB Philly Brown - Class of 2009
Brown came to Ohio State as a defensive back, but like Ginn, was quickly switched to wide receiver. Similarly, the former track star made his name in the return game.
He started in 35 of the 48 games he played in his career, and was twice named to the All-Big Ten second team. Despite that, he went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, but was signed by the Carolina Panthers and played a major factor for them as a slot receiver and kick/punt returner.
LB Curtis Grant - Class of 2011
Grant was the No. 2 player in the country behind Jadeveon Clowney, but has failed to meet expectations. After getting the starting job in his sophomore season, he was benched after three games. He recorded 52 tackles in 13 games in limited playing time this past season, but has a chance to make his name as a senior in 2015.
DE Noah Spence - Class of 2012
Spence was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in his sophomore season, but was officially dismissed from the program this past season after failing another drug test. He is entering the 2015 NFL Draft, but was never able to have maintained success with Ohio State.
LB Mike Mitchell - Class of 2013
Mitchell was a five-star linebacker expected to lead the unit for years in Columbus, but transferred to Texas Tech after his redshirt freshman season to be closer to his ailing father, having never taken the field for the Buckeyes.
LB Raekwon McMillan - Class of 2014
McMillan essentially served as Mitchell's replacement, and he did not disappoint as a true freshman. He recorded 54 tackles and returned his lone interception for a touchdown while playing a major role on Ohio State's national championship team, and looks poised to have an ever bigger season in 2016.
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