FB: Ohio State Football 2009 Signees – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Twenty-five of the nation’s top high school football players have signed to play at The Ohio State University, Coach Jim Tressel announced this afternoon.
“This class consists of young men who have been successful on the field and in school,” says Tressel. “Nearly all of them were on a playoff team this fall, and overall, they bring close to a 3.0 GPA to Ohio State, a reflection of the work ethic they are developing to achieve those types of successes.”
The class includes 14 players from Ohio, three from Pennsylvania and Florida, two from Michigan and one from Maryland, Kentucky and Texas. There are 13 offensive (4 OL, 4 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 QB) and 12 defensive (4 DB, 4 LB, 2 DT, 2 DE) players.
“This is a large class in terms of numbers, and a well-balanced class between Ohio and out-of-state players,” says recruiting coordinator John Peterson. “At Ohio State, we know you win with people, and these are young people who know what it takes to succeed.”
2009 Ohio State Football Signees
| NAME | POS. | HT. | WT. | HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL | HIGHLIGHTS |
| C.J. Barnett | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Dayton, Ohio/Northmont | Video # |
| Dorian Bell | LB | 6-1 | 220 | Monroeville, Pa./Gateway | Video * |
| Adam Bellamy | DT | 6-4 | 280 | Aurora, Ohio/Aurora | Video * |
| Jaamal Berry | RB | 5-11 | 195 | Pinecrest, Fla./Miami Palmetto | Video * |
| Zach Boren | LB | 6-1 | 255 | Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central | Video * |
| Corey Brown | DB/WR | 6-1 | 185 | Monroeville, Pa./Gateway | Video * |
| Duron Carter | WR | 6-2 | 190 | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas | Video * |
| Dominic Clarke | DB | 5-11 | 180 | Frederick, Md./Tuscarora | Video * |
| Melvin Fellows | DE | 6-5 | 235 | Garfield Hts., Ohio/Garfield Heights | Video * |
| Chris Fields | WR | 6-1 | 185 | Painesville, Ohio/Painesville Harvey | Video * |
| Reid Fragel | TE | 6-7 | 260 | Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich./Grosse Pointe South | Video * |
| Kenny Guiton | QB | 6-3 | 180 | Houston, Texas/Eisenhower | Video * |
| Jordan Hall | RB | 5-10 | 190 | Jeannette, Pa./Jeannette | Video * |
| Marcus Hall | OL | 6-5 | 300 | Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville | Video * |
| Adam Homan | RB/LB | 6-4 | 235 | Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater | Video * |
| Carlos Hyde | RB | 6-1 | 230 | Naples, Fla./Naples | Video * |
| James Jackson | WR | 5-11 | 175 | Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge | Video * |
| Storm Klein | LB | 6-3 | 225 | Newark, Ohio/Licking Valley | Video * |
| Corey Linsley | OL | 6-4 | 275 | Youngstown, Ohio/Boardman | Video * |
| Sam Longo | OL | 6-6 | 280 | Spring Valley, Ohio/Bellbrook | Video * |
| Jack Mewhort | OL | 6-7 | 290 | Toledo, Ohio/St. John’s | Video * |
| Jonathan Newsome | DE | 6-3 | 230 | Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville | Video * |
| John Simon | DT | 6-3 | 265 | Youngstown, Ohio/Cardinal Mooney | Video * |
| Jordan Whiting | LB | 6-1 | 235 | Louisville, Ky./Trinity | Video * |
| Jamie Wood | DB | 6-2 | 190 | Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central | Video * |
BiographiesC.J. Barnett (DB, Northmont HS, Dayton, Ohio): Talented cornerback with all the tools … first team all-Ohio, all-Southwest Ohio, all-GWOC conference … recorded 65 tackles, 13 pass deflections and an interception as a senior for Coach Lance Schneider’s Thunderbolts … scored a rushing touchdown and also scored on a 65-yard punt return … captain as a junior and senior … Under Armour All-America game … Art Tainer and Archie Griffin awards … ESPNU 150 … Super Prep Midwest Top 30 … Rivals 250 … also played basketball and ran track at Northmont … student ambassador and Mock Trial programs … son of Yolanda Buskey
Dorian Bell (LB, Gateway HS, Monroeville, Pa.): Tremendous all-around athlete who will make a defensive impact … 113 tackles, 19 TFL, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles as a senior …rushed for 860 yards and 16 scores for Coach Terry Smith’s two-time conference champions … U.S. Army All-American game … Parade All-America … Hawaii-US Mainland all-star game … first team all-Pennsylvania, all-conference … Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 and player of the year … Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 … Rivals 100 #33 … Super Prep Elite 50 … Scout top 50 … EA Sports first team All-America … Stand By Me mentoring program … son of Nancy and Joel Bell
Adam Bellamy (DT, Aurora HS, Aurora, Ohio): Dominant lineman on both sides of the ball … team captain who led Coach Bob Mihalik’s Greenmen to a 13-2 record and the Division III state title … 90 tackles, 15 TFL, 5 sacks, 14 QB hurries, 92% blocking efficiency as a senior … first team all-Ohio, all-CVC league … Portage County defensive player of the year … team MVP as a junior and senior … Super Prep Midwest Top 50 … Big 33 team … Plain Dealer Gridiron Heroes … also plays ice hockey and baseball … honor roll student … son of Susan and Keith Bellamy
Jaamal Berry (RB, Miami Palmetto HS, Pinecrest, Fla.): Explosive ballcarrier with great acceleration and speed … team MVP for Coach Larry Coffey … led the Panthers to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 50 years … three times all-Dade County … Under Armour All-America game … Dade-Broward all-star game … Rivals 100 #56 … Super Prep Florida Top 25 … son of Eartha and Howard Berry
Zach Boren (LB, Pickerington Central HS, Pickerington, Ohio): Linebacker who earned Ohio defensive player of the year honors … 192 tackles, 12 TFL, 8 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and an interception … also rushed for 640 yards, scoring 16 touchdowns … all-district, all-county, all-metro and all-state for Coach Jay Sharrett’s 13-1 OCC and regional champs … Super Prep Midwest Top 75 … OCC and district player of the year in baseball … son of Hope and Mike Boren … older brother Justin is a junior on the Buckeye offensive line … enrolled in January
Corey Brown (DB/WR, Gateway HS, Monroeville, Pa.): Tough, physical corner/receiver prospect with exceptional ball skills … 84 tackles, 20 pass breakups and two interceptions as a senior … 42 catches for 708 yards and 15 scores for Coach Terry Smith’s two-time conference champions … U.S. Army All-American game … three interceptions in Hawaii-US Mainland all-star game … first team all-state, all-conference … Tribune-Review Terrific 25 and Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 … Rivals 100 #31 … Super Prep Pennsylvania Top 5 … Scout top 50 … Red Zone player of the year … son of Sarah and George Brown
Duron Carter (WR, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.): Fierce competitor who led St. Thomas Aquinas to back-to-back Florida state 5A titles … 15-0 record earned Raiders the No. 1 prep ranking in America … 39 receptions for 739 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior for Coach George Smith … Under Armour All-America game … first team all-Broward … Orlando Sentinel all-Southern … Rivals 100 #90 … Super Prep Florida Top 20 … Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast … also runs track … son of Melanie and Cris Carter … father, an NFL all-pro, was a Buckeye letterman from 1984-86 and still ranks second with 168 career receptions at OSU
Dominic Clarke (DB, Tuscarora HS, Frederick, Md.): Speedy corner who is a two-sport headliner … led Coach Sean Carey’s Titans to the playoffs for the first time in school history … rushed for 910 yards, 11 touchdowns as a senior … scored twice on kickoff returns … 47 tackles, 5 pass deflections, 3 interceptions … first team all-state, all-Metro, all-Gazette, all-Frederick News-Post … Super Prep Mid-Atlantic Top 10 … Rivals 250 … all-Met scholar … state medalist in indoor 300m indoor and outdoor 4×400 relay … son of Barbara and James Clarke
Melvin Fellows (DE, Garfield Heights HS, Garfield Heights, Ohio): First team all-Ohio defender with strength and power … 79 tackles, 10 sacks as a senior for Coach Chuck Reisland … first team all-NEO conference … Garfield Heights career record with 51 TFL, 24 sacks … 263 career tackles … Under Armour All-America game … O-D All-America … Big 33 team … Super Prep Elite 50 … Rivals 250 … Plain Dealer Gridiron Heroes … son of Desiree and Melvin Fellows
Chris Fields (WR, Painesville Harvey HS, Painesville, Ohio): Sure-handed receiver with a significant upside … had 61 receptions for 876 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior … first team all-Ohio, all-NEC conference, all-Lake County for Coach Devlin Culliver … Lake County player of the year … O-D Bowl All-America … Big 33 game … Rivals 250 … Super Prep Midwest Top 50 … also a standout performer in baseball and track … son of Kathy and Brian Fields
Reid Fragel (TE, Grosse Pointe South HS, Grosse Pointe, Mich.): Towering tight end with good agility and strength … team MVP for Coach Tim Brandon … 43 catches for 474 yards and 3 scores in 2008 … recorded 150 tackles and 15 sacks as a senior … O-D Bowl All-America … Detroit Free Press Dream Team … all-state and all-Macomb Area Conference … Super Prep Midwest Top 25 … basketball and track letterman as well … son of Deborah and Mark Fragel
Kenny Guiton (QB, Eisenhower HS, Houston, Texas): Dual-threat quarterback with unlimited potential … led Coach Ray Evans’ team to the district playoffs … 1,846 yards passing, 140 yards rushing, 21 TD as a senior … 2,592 yards passing, 329 yards rushing, 29 scores as a junior … District 19-5A offensive MVP … all-greater Houston and all-district … point guard for the basketball Eagles and a hurdler in track … honor roll student … son of Veronica and Kenneth Guiton Sr.
Jordan Hall (RB, Jeannette HS, Jeannette, Pa.): Tailback who averaged 8.5 yards per carry for the Jeannette Jayhawks … three-time all-conference for Coach Ray Reitz … 946 yards, 18 TD rushing as a senior, along with 266 receiving yards (3 TD) and 3 scores on returns … Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 and player of the year … Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 two years … team was 14-2 (WPIAL champ, state runner-up) his sophomore year, 16-0 (state champ) as a junior and 10-2 (WPIAL semis) as a senior … Super Prep Pennsylvania Top 25 … all-state basketball player and 1,000-point scorer … also a track standout … Outstanding Westmoreland African-American Student … son of Travia and Derrick Hall Sr.
Marcus Hall (OL, Glenville HS, Cleveland, Ohio): Offensive tackle with a number of athletic skills … 95% blocking efficiency with 86 pancake blocks as a senior for Coach Ted Ginn Sr. … Tarblooders were 11-1 his senior season … first team all-Ohio … three years first team all-Senate Athletic League … U.S. Army All-American game … Big 33 team … Parade All-America … Super Prep Midwest Top 10 … EA Sports second team All-America … also a standout in basketball and track and field … son of Evelyn Moore and Rick Hall
Adam Homan (RB/LB, Coldwater HS, Coldwater, Ohio): Fullback/linebacker prospect with outstanding Buckeye family ties … Ohio Division IV and Midwest Athletic Conference defensive player of the year … 90 tackles as a senior … first team all-state, all-MAC, all-district for Coach John Reed … Cavaliers won state title his junior season … Super Prep Midwest Top 75 … National Honor Society … son of Dave and Alice Homan … older brother Ross is a Buckeye linebacker … enrolled in January
Carlos Hyde (RB, Naples HS, Naples, Fla.): Power running back who shows lateral dexterity … rushed for 1,653 yards, 16 touchdowns as a senior for Coach Bill Kramer … Naples Daily News Broxson Award as player of the year … Ft. Myers News-Press Southwest Florida player of the year … Golden Eagles were 2007 state champions and 2008 regional finalists … Super Prep Florida Top 75 … a basketball and track standout … mentor to elementary school students … son of Dermidra Hyde and Carlos Britton
James Jackson (WR, Grand Ledge GS, Grand Ledge, Mich.): Receiver with elite acceleration and speed … first team all-state performer for Coach Matt Bird … 45 catches for 600 yards for the district finalists … 1,500 all-purpose yards … Super Prep Midwest Top 20 … Rivals and Scout Michigan top 5 … Lansing State Journal Dream Team as a sophomore, junior and senior … Detroit News Best of the Midwest team … Detroit Free Press Top 22 … Lansing area athlete of the year … state 100m sprint champion and holds state record in the 60m indoor (6.7) … placed 7th in 100m at AAU Olympics … son of Curtis and Sherrie Jackson
Storm Klein (LB, Licking Valley HS, Newark, Ohio): Three-time all-state performer … Ohio Gatorade player of the year … rushed for 1,797 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior … 48 tackles and two sacks for the 12-2 state semifinalists … 40.7 punting average for Coach Randy Baughman’s Panthers … more than 6,000 career rushing yards and 99 touchdowns … Panthers went 46-7 during his career, advancing to 2007 state finals … Super Prep Midwest Top 20 … Rivals 250 … advanced to the states in wrestling as a sophomore … also a baseball standout … son of Jason Klein … enrolled in January
Corey Linsley (OL, Boardman HS, Youngstown, Ohio): Explosive offensive lineman with impressive ability … team captain for Coach D.J. Ogilvie’s Spartans … first team all-Federal League, all-NEO … second team all-Ohio … Big 33 team … Super Prep Midwest Top 30 … Rivals 250 … also the regional and league champion and a state medalist in shot put … son of Laurie and James Linsley
Sam Longo (OL, Bellbrook HS, Spring Valley, Ohio): Offensive tackle with tremendous athletic skills … totaled 73 knockdowns, 31 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 sacks and 2 blocked kicks in six games as a senior … offensive line MVP for Coach Kevin Basinger … second team all-Ohio … Buckeye Blue Chip and Big 33 teams … Super Prep Midwest Top 35 … state qualifier in shot put and discus as a junior … placed in the top five at USATF Junior Olympics … son of Eugene and Sandra Longo … father was a Buckeye linebacker (1981-84)
Jack Mewhort (OL, St. John’s HS, Toledo, Ohio): Outstanding offensive line prospect who has played center, tackle and guard in the prep ranks … first team all-Ohio, all-Toledo City League, all-Toledo Blade for Coach Doug Pearson … Under Armour All-America game … Super Prep Midwest Top 25 … Rivals 250 … Detroit Free Press Best of the Midwest … son of Don and Gail Mewhort … enrolled in January
Jonathan Newsome (DE, Glenville HS, Cleveland, Ohio): Quick defender with an exceptional wingspan … 101 tackles, 17 sacks as a senior … 72 tackles, 13 sacks as a junior … second team all-Ohio … team captain for Coach Ted Ginn Sr. … Super Prep Midwest Top 40 … Big 33 team … Plain Dealer all-star … honor roll student … heavily involved in community service … son of Kimberly Newsome
John Simon (DT, Cardinal Mooney HS, Youngstown, Ohio): Dominant defensive lineman with power and strength … all-Ohio as a junior and senior for Coach P.J. Fecko … Division IV state and NEO defensive player of the year … 148 tackles, 13 TFL, 11 sacks, 3 forced fumbles as a senior … Cardinals advanced to the regional semifinals after four consecutive trips to the state title game … U.S. Army All-American game … Super Prep Midwest Top 20 … holds a number of Mooney weightlifting records … National Honor Society … Cardinal Mooney Ambassador … son of Renee and John Simon
Jordan Whiting (LB, Trinity HS, Louisville, Ky.): Outstanding athlete with comprehensive skills … 102 tackles, 18 TFL, 5 sacks as a senior … member of four state championship teams for Coach Bob Beatty … 267 career tackles … MaxPreps first team All-America … all-state, all-Bluegrass, all-conference … Super Prep Kentucky Top 5 … Bluegrass Preps player of the year … Parade All-America … Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast … Orlando Sentinel all-Southern … EA Sports second team All-America … placed third in the state in wrestling and also runs track … honor roll student … son of Antonio and Penny Whiting
Jamie Wood (DB, Pickerington Central HS, Pickerington, Ohio): Rangy playmaker at safety … team captain for Coach Jay Sharrett who helped the Tigers to three straight OCC championships and a school record 13 straight wins … U.S. Army All-American game … first team all-OCC, all-county, all-metro, all-district, all-Ohio … Rivals 100 #74 … Super Prep Midwest top 10 … Buckeye Blue Chip … also a sprinter for the Tiger track team … Stand and Deliver outreach program … Sunny Side Up peer leadership team … son of Michelle Hansberry and James E. Wood
