Bradley Roby Commits; 2010 Class Rounding Into Form
Roby might seem like a name from nowhere, but his arrival at Ohio State seems like it has been in the work for some time. Roby comes to us from the same high school as Cameron Heyward, who may have enabled the process by announcing he would come back for his senior year. I won’t go that far, but it is Cameron’s mother, Charlotte, who factors into this story. Cameron Heyward’s mom enters this story because she’s assisted in Ohio State’s recruiting efforts in the state of Georgia, which the Buckeyes have essentially identified as “Florida, without the Florida hassle”. It might raise some eyebrows, but Charlotte Heyward-Blackwell appears to think so highly of Cameron’s experience at Ohio State and of the coaching staff that she’s become a contact for the family of Georgia targets who are curious about what it’s like for their son to move that far away. Keith Wells’ family contacted her about her experience. Brad Roby’s mother showed interest as well, because she and Charlotte are good friends outside the football context. In fact, both were in Pasadena to watch the Buckeyes play in the Rose Bowl.
As for Bradley himself, Ohio State was always a school of interest while he remained committed to Vanderbilt, as was Auburn (his other quality offer among the likes of WVU and Boston College). Vanderbilt recruited him as a wide receiver whereas Auburn and Ohio State saw him as a cornerback. Playing on offense may have been enough to get him to Vanderbilt, but I think he was alarmed by how many WR commits Vanderbilt had in their class: 4. By comparison, Ohio State had only one defensive back, Chad Hagan, who may be coming to Ohio State as a “star”-type back (think: Jermale Hines). The Buckeyes have youth elsewhere at cornerback (see: the 2009 class), but Ohio State seemed more inviting. He visited Ohio State last weekend and, now, is committed to come to Ohio State to play cornerback.
Roby’s commitment gives the Buckeyes satisfaction for losing out on Latwan Anderson and Lamarcus Joyner, though Christian Bryant is definitely still in the mix. At 17, this class is just about done. There’s a few that the Buckeyes will wait for, including Seantrel Henderson, Jordan Hicks, Matt James and Christian Bryant. I’m expecting Matt James will head to Notre Dame, a destination that seems unavoidable after Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly took the gig there. The Buckeyes are still players for the two big prizes in that mix — Henderson and Hicks — but it’s hard for me to say who goes where at this point. A strong finish would put a class that I thought would be rather limited in scope over the top. As it is, I think the Buckeyes have overachieved so far with this class.
Midseason 2009 clips of Roby are below, if you’re interested. Don’t look at me because of the music. You know, the kids these days… with their loud music… and their Dan Fogelberg…
- Alum Ted Ginn excluded [↩]
I just bet you that Mr. Henderson goes to USC. I just do not understand the thinking of these young men. Florida’s coach steps down, steps back in, takes leave, takes drugs, whatever. Not to mention the loss of most of their coordinators, but yet these kids are flocking down there in droves. Their recruiting class is insane. Some of these kids will sit all 4 years.
What young man with any self-respect and decency would play for Lane Fucking Kiffin? Are you kidding me? What parent would even want their kid to be associated with that surreal environment? What has he ever done really besides recruit? Shit on a bunch of kids in Tennesee?
I guess you could say it’s geographics, LA and Florida. It might be the fans driving up salaries and demanding wins. But in this instance I believe it’s today’s recruit. More and more college is viewed by these kids and their families as a meal ticket in 3 years with the NFL. So, some of these college coaches are all about controversy and drama and just overall off the charts brash behavior which appeals to these athletes in some sort of strange phenomenom. Alot of these kids think they are special and they just eat that Pacman Jones shit up! They wanna be all in the mix, to say they were a part of something in your face. To me it’s very similar to gang-like behavior and association.
I just don’t see what their motivation is. These coaches are recruiters, not developers. Reggie Bush was explosive before he set foot on the turf in Pasadena.
I have one word for these Kool-Aid drinking kids : transfer.
Read about it.
I believe Bradley Roby is somewhat better known. It’s on! BKAB season!
The best I hear on Hicks is that it’s a two horse race between Texas and Florida, with Ohio State in a distant and meaningless third.
I’m not ready to give up on Henderson yet.
I agree that we don’t get James. I do think Bryant commits.
I don’t get the whole “overachieving class” thing. Seems to me it’s one of our worst in a while. Looked at Scouts yesterday, and out highest rated player is Andrew Norwell, who broke his leg, required 2 surgeries, and didn’t play much this year. And he’s #56! HIGHEST!! Florida, by comparison, has 3 in the top 10. We’re just never going to be able to beat the Floridas and Alabamas of the world with stuff like this. We’ll win the B10, beat our in-state opponents, and do that type of thing, but I honest to God hope we never go undefeated in the regular season again because we’re going to get crushed in the title game. For the first time, I’m ready to admit that that there is a growing talent gap between us and the truly elite teams.
Vico, I think you’ve got some time before you fire up the BKAB series. However, there is fertile ground to be plowed if you did a BKAC (Better Know A Coach) series. The head spins.
nate…you sound like a whiner…are you? This class has 2 stud running backs…3 four star receivers…it is a solid but not spectacular class…but man…you sound like a loser
We cleaned up the last two years, not to mention even though the 07 class was small, we still got guys like Ironhead Jr and Brian Rolle. And we beat Florida and Georgia for both of their services.
JT and staff have done an excellent job filling in our needs from this class.
Henderson will be a Buckeye!
Jack, why would you call Nate a “whiner” or “loser” because he has an opinion contrary to yours? As much as I would like to dismiss his opinion outright, I can’t. And neither can you.
Homers like you are so irritating.
The Urban Meyer will now be officially known to me only as The Benny Hinn of College Football.
I just cannot stand the guy or his skanky looking, player chasing wife.
How can they possibly be from Ohio originally? They are not of this world, the only person who can possibly spare us all from their apocalyptic ways is…….you already know it…….Evege.