Tressel Looks For Buckeye Recruits to Make The Grade – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 6, 2002
National Letter of Intent Day Quotes (Feb. 6, 2002)
Comments From Coach Tressel
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel is excited about this year’s recruiting class, but not just because of its enormous potential on the football field.
“This is an outstanding class from an academic standpoint,” said Tressel of the 25 high school seniors who will comprise the freshman class of 2002. “It is a group that is prepared to take advantage of the tremendous academic opportunities that Ohio State offers our student-athletes.”
The class has certainly distinguished itself in the classroom to date, boasting a collective grade point average of just over 3.00.
In terms of its football prowess, this year’s class is being heralded as one of the most promising in recent memory at Ohio State. Recruiting services and media outlets have given it rave reviews. Virtually everyone has it in their top two or three nationally. “The ultimate success of this class will be measured in how well the new players mesh with the returning veterans,” said Tressel, who is in his second year at Ohio State. “Our coaching staff and our players worked hard to try to ensure that the players we have brought in are the types of young men who will fit into our family at Ohio State.”
Eighteen members of the class are from Ohio and will be continuing their educations in their home state. There are two recruits from Florida and one each from the states of Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia. There is also one player from Canada.
Two of those players, running back Maurice Clarett from Warren, Ohio and defensive back Michael Roberts from Toronto, Can., will be included on last year’s scholarship total and will not count toward this year’s NCAA limit of 25. Clarett enrolled at Ohio State this past January at the start of Winter Quarter, while Roberts will enroll at the beginning of Spring Quarter.
“Diversity is a strength of any group,” said Tressel. “This class has a strong Ohio flavor, but we also have very strong representation, both in the classroom and on the football field, from out of the state. In my opinion, that gives us a very talented and diverse class.”
Ohio State’s 2002 Recruiting Class Roster
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown (High School) |
| Bobby Carpenter | LB | 6-3 | 240 | Lancaster, Ohio (Lancaster) |
| Maurice Clarett | RB | 6-0 | 230 | Warren, Ohio (Harding) |
| R.J. Coleman | TE | 6-5 | 265 | Clarksburg, W.Va. (Byrd) |
| Mike D’Andrea | LB | 6-3 | 240 | Avon Lake, Ohio (Avon Lake) |
| Doug Datish | OL | 6-5 | 290 | Warren, Ohio (Howland) |
| T.J. Downing | OL | 6-5 | 280 | Canton, Ohio (GlenOak) |
| Tyler Everett | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Canton, Ohio (McKinley) |
| Roy Hall | WR | 6-3 | 210 | Lyndhurst, Ohio (Brush) |
| A.J. Hawk | LB | 6-2 | 230 | Centerville, Ohio (Centerville) |
| Santonio Holmes | WR, | 5-11 | 170 | Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Central) |
| Mike Kudla | DE | 6-3 | 235 | Medina, Ohio (Highland) |
| Nick Mangold | OL | 6-4 | 270 | Kettering, Ohio (Alter) |
| Brandon Mitchell | DB | 6-3 | 190 | Atlanta, Ga. (Mays) |
| Derek Morris | OL | 6-6 | 350 | Huntersville, N.C. (North Mecklenburg) |
| Joel Penton | DE | 6-5 | 255 | Van Wert, Ohio (Van Wert) |
| Quinn Pitcock | DL | 6-4 | 285 | Piqua, Ohio (Piqua) |
| Jay Richardson | DE | 6-5 | 245 | Dublin, Ohio (Scioto) |
| Michael Roberts | DB | 5-11 | 175 | Toronto, Canada (Central Tech.) |
| Nate Salley | DB | 6-3 | 180 | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas) |
| Tim Schafer | DE | 6-5 | 250 | Upper Arlington, Ohio (Upper Arlington) |
| Rob Sims | OL | 6-4 | 290 | Macedonia, Ohio (Nordonia) |
| Troy Smith | ATH | 6-1 | 205 | Glenville, Ohio (Glenville) |
| E.J. Underwood | DB | 6-1 | 175 | Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton) |
| Stan White Jr. | LB | 6-3 | 230 | Baltimore, Md. (Gilman School) |
| Justin Zwick | QB | 6-4 | 210 | Massillon, Ohio (Washington) |
Ohio State’s 2002 Football Recruiting Class Bios
Bobby Carpenter
LB, 6-3, 240
Lancaster, Ohio (Lancaster)
One of the most sought after linebacker prospects in the Midwest … won first-team All-Ohio honors from the Associated Press as a senior … finished his senior season with 128 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss … regarded as a playmaker and hitter throughout his high school career … combines size, speed and athletic ability with a thorough understanding of the game … rated by Rivals.com as the 13th best outside linebacker in the country … his father, Rob, played for Miami of Ohio as well as in the NFL and now is the head football coach at Lancaster … parents are Rob and Susie Carpenter … born 8-1-83.
Maurice Clarett
RB, 6-0, 230
Warren, Ohio (Harding)
USA Today Offensive Player of the Year … selected by the Associated Press as Mr. Football in the state of Ohio … also the AP co-Offensive Player of the Year … Parade Magazine All-America …one of the country’s top big backs … staggering numbers as a senior, rushing for 2,194 yards and 38 TDs … also caught 19 passes for 351 yards and 6 TDs … led Harding to an 11-2 record and a berth in the regional finals … rushed for 785 yards and eight touchdowns in the playoffs, including 401 yards and five TDs in the regional semi-finals … amassed 4,675 yards and scored 65 touchdowns during his career … combines power and speed with fierce determination … enrolled at Ohio State at the start of Winter Quarter and actually counts back to the 2001 recruiting class … parents are Michelle Clarett … high school – Thom McDaniels … born 10-29-83.
R.J. Coleman
TE, 6-5, 265
Clarksburg, W.Va. (Byrd)
Did not start playing organized football until his junior year, but wasted precious little time developing into one of the top tight end prospects in America … won all-state honors as a senior and was ranked by SuperPrep as the top prospect in the state of West Virginia … that publication also rated him as the fourth best tight end prospect in the country … ranked as the sixth best tight end by Rivals.com … crushing blocker, who averaged 28 yards per catch as a junior, with five of those going for touchdowns … also played defensive end and tackle and logged 125 tackles and nine sacks … state shot put champion as a junior … also plays basketball … parents are Christopher Coleman and Kathy Harris … high school coach – Richard Iaquinta … born 12-14-83.
Mike D’Andrea
LB, 6-3, 240
Avon Lake, Ohio (Avon Lake)
Parade Magazine All-America and rated by Parade as the best prep linebacker in the country … also a first-team USA Today All-American selection … first-team Division II Associated Press All-Ohio selection … SuperPrep rated him as the No. 1 overall linebacker in the country … prototype linebacker with size, speed, and strength … renowned for his hitting and tackling as well as his competitive attitude … recorded 140 tackles as a senior and also averaged 15 yards-per-catch as a tight end … led his high school to a 9-1 record … had 15 tackles, including five tackles for loss and an interception, in a regional semi-finals victory … also a national caliber shot and discus competitor and hopes to continue his track career at Ohio State … parents are Bob and Sue D’Andrea … high school coach – Dave Dlugosz … born 2-7-84.
Doug Datish
OL, 6-5, 290
Warren, Ohio (Howland)
One of the top offensive line prospects in the nation … named to PrepStar’s Dream Team and rated by SuperPrep as the fifth best offensive lineman in high school football … one of the top overall prospects in Ohio… has been a two-way starter since his freshman year … won all-state honors as a senior and was the Associated Press Division II co-Defensive Player of the Year … combines size and strength with great agility … his father, Mike Datish, played for the Buckeyes and lettered in 1975, when the Buckeyes posted an 11-1 record and made a still unequalled fourth consecutive Rose Bowl appearance … parents are Mike and Sue Datish … high school coach – Dick Angle … born 8-1-83.
T.J. Downing
OL, 6-5, 280
Canton, Ohio (GlenOak)
Was a first-team Division I Associated Press All-Ohio selection this past season … has tremendous strength (bench presses over 355 pounds) and exceptional pass blocking technique … has been a varsity starter since his sophomore season … played tackle in high school but could also play guard in college … from the same high school as Ohio State sophomore Dustin Fox … is the son of (former Michigan All-America and NFL standout) Walt and Susan Downing … high school coach – Jack Rose … born 3-6-84.
Tyler Everett
DB, 6-1, 185
Canton, Ohio (McKinley)
A first-team Division I Associated Press All-Ohio selection as a senior … played both running back and defensive back in high school, but will focus on defensive back at Ohio State … considered one of the top two defensive back prospects in the state of Ohio this past year … demonstrated a nose for the ball, picking off five passes last as a senior … rushed for over 1,300 yards as a junior … has the speed and quickness to play cornerback … joins former McKinley stars Kenny Peterson and Michael Doss on this year’s football team … selected to play in the Ohio North-South All-Star Game and the Big 33 Game … is the son of Calvin and Audrea Everett … high school coach – John Miller … born 11-4-83.
Roy Hall
WR, 6-3, 210
Lyndhurst, Ohio (Brush)
A first-team Division I Associated Press All-Ohio selection … rated by PrepStar as the top wide receiver in Ohio and one of the best in the Midwest …SuperPrep has him as the seventh best receiver in the Midwest and the 12th best in the nation … hauled in 62 receptions for 700 yards and six touchdowns as a senior … combines excellent size and speed with great hands … caught 42 passes as a sophomore, but then missed four games as a junior and was limited to 17 catches while battling a sprained ankle … also recruited by a number of schools to play basketball … is the son of Greg and Sonya Hall-Thurman … high school coach – Eric Mitchell … born 12-8-83.
A.J. Hawk
LB, 6-2, 230
Centerville, Ohio (Centerville)
Missed much of his senior year due to injury, but still finished the campaign with 82 tackles … a much more accurate reflection of his ability can be found in his 583 career tackles (142 as a freshman, 192 as a sophomore and 169 as a junior) … always around the ball and has demonstrated a penchant for making plays … played the middle in high school, but clearly has the ability to move to an outside position with the Buckeyes … rated as the nation’s 30th best outside linebacker by Rivals.com … also averaged over 40 yards as a punter his senior year … is the son of Keith and Judy Hawk … high school coach – Ron Ullery … born 1-6-84.
Santonio Holmes
WR, 5-11, 170
Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Central)
Helped lead his high school team to a 12-1 record as a senior, snaring 33 receptions for 970 yards and 10 touchdowns … averaged 29.3 yards per catch as a senior … really got everyone’s attention in the Outback Steakhouse All-Star Game, hauling in six catches for 121 yards and a TD and leading his team to a convincing 19-3 victory … was the MVP of that game … Rivals.com ranks him 38th nationally … burner, who was a member of the state championship 4×100 relay team as a junior. A somewhat late, but very important commitment to the OSU fold … parents are father Santonio and mother Patricia Brown … high school coach – Willie Bueno … born 3-3-84.
Mike Kudla
DE, 6-3, 235
Medina, Ohio (Highland)
Played linebacker, and played it very well in high school, but is being projected as a defensive end for the Buckeyes … was selected as the Division III Associated Press co-Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … also a first-team All-Ohio pick by the AP … coming off an amazing senior year in which he recorded 210 tackles, including 27 tackles for loss and six sacks … also had an interception … finished up his career with 495 total tackles, including 170 as a junior and 115 as a sophomore… rated by Rivals.com as the nation’s 18th best defensive end prospect … parents are Paul and Mary Fran Kudla … high school coach – John Hopkins … born 3-8-84.
Nick Mangold
OL, 6-4, 270
Kettering, Ohio (Alter)
Was a first-team Division III all-state selection by the Associated Press … has started on both sides of the ball since his sophomore season and earned a reputation for being able to dominate the line of scrimmage no matter where he lines up … considered one of the top offensive linemen in the state of Ohio and rated by Rivals.com as the nation’s third best center prospect … selected to play in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Tex. following the regular season … also a standout student … is the son of Vern and Therese Mangold … high school coach – Ed Domsitz … born 1-13-84.
Brandon Mitchell
DB, 6-3, 190
Atlanta, Ga. (Mays)
Regarded as one of the top all-around athletes in Georgia … played both wide receiver and defensive back … had 34 receptions for 703 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior and was listed by the Atlanta Journal Constitution as one of the top five receivers in the state … also had 65 tackles and nine interceptions last year … selected to play in the Florida-Georgia All-Star game and had six tackles … also runs track and is a standout in both the 200 and 400 meter runs … parents are Ida and Marquis Mitchell … high school coach – Floyd Mack … born 10-26-83.
Derek Morris
OT, 6-6, 360
Huntersville, N.C. (North Mecklenburg)
A first-team USA Today All-America pick … also named to the Parade All-America squad … on everyone’s most wanted list … has size, speed and great athletic ability … G & W Recruiting Service ranks him as the nation’s top offensive lineman and the eighth best offensive player overall … ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s fourth best offensive tackle … graded out to 89 percent as a senior and was credited with 28 pancake blocks … lists former Buckeye All-America and Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award winner Orlando Pace as his idol … nickname is “Waffle” in tribute to Pace, who made the pancake block famous at Ohio State … Ohio State’s last and biggest commitment … is the son of Derek and Marylin Morris … high school coach – Scott Sherrill … born 12-14-83.
Joel Penton
DE, 6-5, 255
Van Wert, Ohio (Van Wert)
A first-team all-Ohio selection and the co-Division III Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, sharing that honor with another Ohio State recruit, defensive end Mike Kudla … also named as the recipient of the 2001 Art Teynor Award, presented annually by the Ohio High School Coaches Association to its selection as player of the year … finished his senior year with 119 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and eight sacks … had 11 sacks and 138 tackles as a junior and won Associated Press all-state recognition … has excellent athletic skills and is still growing … a member of the National Honor Society .. is the son of Joel and Peggy Penton … high school coach – Jeff Hood … born 6-26-83.
Quinn Pitcock
DL, 6-4, 285
Piqua, Ohio (Piqua)
A first-team Division II Associated Press All-Ohio selection as a senior … a second-team All-America pick by USA Today … the top defensive tackle in the state of Ohio and one of the country’s best … rated as the top defensive lineman in the Midwest by Super Prep Magazine … Rival.com lists him as the nation’s fifth best defensive tackle and the 11th best defensive lineman overall … led Piqua to a 12-3 record and a berth in the state playoffs last season … finished the year with 69 tackles, including 15 sacks … simply overpowered opposing offensive linemen … from the same high school as former Buckeye defensive end Matt Finkes, who helped lead the Buckeyes to the 1996 Big Ten co-championship and a berth and victory in the 1997 Rose Bowl … is the son of Michael and Janey Pitcock … high school coach – Bill Nees … born 9-14-83.
Jay Richardson
DE, 6-5, 245
Dublin, Ohio (Scioto)
Coming off a superb senior year in which he won first-team Division 1 all-state honors from the Associated Press … more than justified that selection, and any other honors he might have received, by recording 73 tackles, including a whopping 43 tackles for loss … helped lead Scioto to a 10-2 record in 2001 … also plays tight end on offense … had a fine junior campaign, recording 75 tackles and 17 tackles for loss before exploding onto the scene as a senior … ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s 32nd best defensive end prospect … also plays basketball … parents are Glen and Deborah Johnson … high school coach – Karl Johnson … born 1-27-84.
Michael Roberts
DB, 5-11, 175
Toronto, Ontario (Central Tech)
Played for the Toronto Thunder, a club team in Canada, last season because of a teacher’s strike at his high school … picked off seven passes in league play last season … has great speed and excellent coverage skills … is considered one of the top football prospects in Canada … is rated by Rivals.com as the 49th best cornerback available … made an impression on the Ohio State coaches last summer and was offered a scholarship following camp … was born in Guyana and moved to Canada at age 5 … has graduated from high school and will enroll at Ohio State at the start of Spring Quarter (he will count on last year’s scholarship limit, not this year’s) … parents are Raymond and Jacqueline Roberts … high school coach – Damon Ellie … born 9-16-83.
Nate Salley
DB, 6-3, 180
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
A very talented and highly regarded athlete, who is ranked as the nation’s eighth best safety prospect by Rivals.com … helped lead Aquinas to a glittering 14-1 record and a berth in the Class 5A state championship game last year as a senior … finished the 2001 season with 76 tackles, including four tackles for loss … blocked an incredible eight kicks as a senior … alternated between cornerback and safety during his three years as a starter in high school … also a standout basketball player, who is averaging nearly 18 points a game this year, and would like to play basketball at Ohio State after the football season is over … parents are Nate and Pat Salley … high school coach – George Smith … born 2-5-84.
Tim Schafer
DE, 6-5, 250
Upper Arlington, Ohio (Upper Arlington)
A first-team Division I Associated Press All-Ohio selection in 2001 … regarded as one of the Midwest’s top defensive ends … committed early to OSU so he could concentrate on the 2001 season … he and current OSU defensive end Simon Fraser led their high school to the big school state title and an unblemished 15-0 record in 2000 … over 50 tackles each of the past two years … also had 10 sacks as a junior … did double duty as a senior, seeing action at offensive tackle … Rivals.com rates him as the nation’s 12th best defensive end … SuperPrep has him as the 16th best defensive lineman nationally … is the son of Richard and Charlotte Schafer … high school coach – Darrell Mayne … born 7-10-83.
Rob Sims
OL, 6-4, 290
Macedonia, Ohio (Nordonia)
A first-team Division II Associated Press All-Ohio selection … one of the top offensive linemen in the state of Ohio … a three-year regular, starting at guard as a sophomore and junior, before making a seamless transition to tackle this past year … also played defensive end at Nordonia … rated as Ohio’s 17th best prospect by the Ohio Football Recruiting News … has also been a three-year starter on the basketball team and is a standout in track in the shot and discus … his father, Mickey Sims, played defensive tackle with the Cleveland Browns … parents are Brenda and Mickey Sims … high school coach – Rob Rardin … born 12-6-83.
Troy Smith
Athlete, 6-1, 205
Glenville, Ohio (Glenville)
Solid all-around athlete … played at Lakewood St. Edward as a sophomore and junior, but transferred to Glenville at the start of his senior year … threw for 969 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior … also ran for 329 yards and four scores, helping Glenville to a 9-2 record and a berth in the Division 1 playoffs … has run a :04.1 time in the forty and is rated by Rivals.com as the nation’s 13th best dual threat quarterback … had a solid junior year at St. Eds, throwing for 1400 yards and rushing for 500 more … the Ohio State coaches really like his athletic ability … parents are Tracy Smith and Kenneth Slanell … high school coach – Ted Ginn … born 7-20-84.
E.J. Underwood
DB, 6-1, 175
Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton)
A first-team Division I Associated Press All-Ohio selection this past season … considered one of the top two defensive backs in the state of Ohio and one of the best cover corner prospects in the country … in on 63 tackles as a senior … had 11 career interceptions … also a standout kick returner … had 70 tackles as a junior … rated as the nation’s 19th best cornerback prospect by Rivals.com … also runs track and plays basketball … coming in at a position where OSU needs to develop quality depth … parents are Pamela and Elmer Underwood … high school coach – Ed Mignery … born 8-3-83.
Stan White Jr.
LB, 6-3, 230
Baltimore, Md. (Gilman School)
Considered the best outside linebackers in the country … named to PrepStar’s Dream Team … 153 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 14 pass break-ups, five sacks and three interceptions as a senior … selected as the Baltimore Sun’s Defensive Player of the Year … had 21 tackles to help Gilman clinch a fourth consecutive league title … had 17 tackles against nationally-ranked Brooklyn Poly Prep … rated as the nation’s 18th best outside linebacker by Rivals.com … his mother and father both graduated from Ohio State and his father, Stan Sr., played football for the Buckeyes, winning All-Big Ten honors in 1971 before going on to an distinguished career in the NFL … parents are Stan and Patty White … high school coach – Francis Poggi … born 12-30-83
Justin Zwick
QB, 6-4, 215
Massillon, Ohio (Washington)
First-team all-state and the Division I Associated Press co-Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … Parade All-American … unquestionably the most publicized high school quarterback to sign with the Buckeyes in recent years … threw for 10,500 yards and 112 touchdowns during his high school career, completing 737 of 1,368 (54%) passes during four years as a starter … led Massillon to a 12-2 record as a senior, throwing for 3,821 yards and 40 touchdowns … played his first two years at Orrville, throwing for 4,759 of his yards and 49 of his TDs as a freshman and sophomore … led Orrville to the state title as a freshman … ranked as the nation’s third best pro-style quarterback by Rivals.com … his older brother, Jared, played for Coach Jim Tressel at Youngstown State … is the son of Bill and Linda Zwick … high school coach – Rick Shepas … born 5-12-83.
