Dotting The 'Eyes

Light at the end of draft for OSU

It was nothing to write home about, but here goes my letter home nonetheless: The Big Ten took another black eye the past three days, with only 22 players from the league among the 254 selections in the NFL Draft — or 10 more than the SEC claimed in the first round alone. Only the Cowboys reaching to grab Wisconsin center Travis Frederick with the 31st overall pick kept the Big Ten from a first-round shutout for the first time since 1953, and it didn't get much better. In fact, has the Big Ten, all factors considered, ever had a worse draft? For perspective, the SEC had 63 total picks. Even the ACC (31 picks) thinks the Big Ten needs to raise its game. 

No one in the league was immune, including Ohio State, which had three players drafted — and only one the first two days. Here's where the Buckeyes landed: 

DRAFTED

Johnathan Hankins, DT, second round (Giants)

John Simon, DE, fourth round (Ravens)

Reid Fragel, OT, seventh round (Bengals)

UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS

Jake Stoneburner, TE (Packers)

Etienne Sabino, LB (Giants)

Garrett Goebel, DT (Rams)

Zach Boren, FB (Texans)

Orhian Johnson, DB (Texans)

Travis Howard, DB (Texans)

Nathan Williams, DE/LB (Vikings)

The good news for OSU: A poor draft showing has historically portended nothing about the state of the program (more on that later) while this year is likely an anomaly. Although the Buckeyes did not have a first-round pick for the third time in four years — and the talent level of the Big Ten at large remains a foremost concern — history suggests they will be fine. Few coaches produce more next-level talent than Urban Meyer while Ohio State has long been one of the NFL's top farm clubs. 

Start with the Buckeyes' recent draft history. Their 82 draft picks between 2000 and 2012 were unsurpassed nationally while the program produced 27 first-rounders between 1995 and 2009. 

OSU'S FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS SINCE 1995

1995    Joey Galloway (WR) – Seattle Seahawks

1995    Korey Stringer (T) – Minnesota Vikings

1995    Craig Powell (LB) – Cleveland Browns

1996    Rickey Dudley (TE) – Oakland Raiders

1996    Eddie George (RB) – Houston Oilers

1996    Terry Glenn (WR) – New England Patriots

1997    Orlando Pace (OT) – St. Louis Rams

1997    Shawn Springs (CB) – Seattle Seahawks

1999    David Boston (SE) – Arizona Cardinals

1999    Antoine Winfield (CB) – Buffalo Bills

1999    Andy Katzenmoyer (LB – New England Patriots

2000    Ahmed Plummer (CB) – San Francisco 49ers

2001    Nate Clements (CB) – Buffalo Bills

2001    Ryan Pickett (DT) – St. Louis Rams

2004    Will Smith (DT) – New Orleans Saints

2004    Chris Gamble (DB) – Carolina Panthers

2004    Michael Jenkins (WR) – Atlanta Falcons

2006    A.J. Hawk (LB) – Green Bay Packers

2006    Donte Whitner (S) – Buffalo Bills

2006    Bobby Carpenter (LB) – Dallas Cowboys

2006    Santonio Holmes (WR) – Pittsburgh Steelers

2006    Nick Mangold (C) – New York Jets

2007    Ted Ginn Jr. (WR) – Miami Dolphins

2007    Anthony Gonzalez (WR) – Indianapolis Colts

2008    Vernon Gholston (DE) – New York Jets

2009    Malcolm Jenkins (CB) – New Orleans Saints

2009    Chris Wells (RB) – Arizona Cardinals

2011    Cameron Heyward (DT) — Pittsburgh Steelers 

What does this mean for 2013? Pretty much nothing. Notice the years in this stretch the Buckeyes did not have a first-round pick. In 1998, they spent much of the year ranked atop the country. In 2002, they won the national championship. In 2003, they won the Fiesta Bowl. In 2005, they won the Fiesta Bowl. In 2010, they won the Sugar Bowl. And last year, they went undefeated. 

Now, on to Meyer, who has had 11 former players — including 10 since 2007 — picked in the first round. Joining the list Thursday were defensive lineman Shariff Floyd and safety Matt Elam, both of whom Meyer recruited to and coached at Florida. 

MEYER'S FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS

 Year     No.      Pos.      Name, Team

2013    23        DL       Shariff Floyd, Minnesota

2013    32        S          Matt Elam, Baltimore

2011    15        OL       Mike Pouncey, Miami Dolphins

2010    7          CB       Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns

2010    18        C          Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers

2010    25        QB       Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos

2009    22        R/RB    Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings

2008    8          DE       Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville Jaguars

2007    17        DE       Jarvis Moss, Denver Broncos

2007    21        S          Reggie Nelson, Jacksonville Jaguars

2005    1          QB       Alex Smith, San Francisco

If Meyer keeps recruiting the way he has in his first year-plus in Columbus, the past of both program and coach is probably prologue. 

Keyshawn Johnson unplugged on his nephew, Buckeyes football

Wrote a story for today's paper on Ohio State receiver Michael Thomas. Which, if my red-stained NCAA tourney bracket suggests anything about Dotting The Eyes' recent luck, naturally means I got a call back from his uncle, former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson, this morning. No harm done, though. That's why the blog is here. Johnson was generous with his time, riffing on everything from the advice he gives Thomas to the false expectations created by his nephew's starring role in last year's spring game to the prospect of his son being next in line in Columbus. 

Johnson, who lives outside his native Los Angeles, said he may take his eighth-grade son to one of OSU's football camps this summer. Hey, it's never too early to start thinking about colleges, though Johnson wants no part of the recruiting game. He told the Blade he and Keyshawn Jr. instead plan to laser their focus on five schools. 

"I told him Ohio State is one on his radar," said Johnson, now an ESPN analyst. "We're going to pick five schools. Ohio State, Michigan, USC, UCLA, Washington, and that's pretty much it."

Anyway, back to Thomas. Johnson, who said he speaks to his brother's son a few times a week, hopes to catch Thomas in person at OSU for the first time at Saturday's spring game in Cincinnati. Here's Keyshawn's take: 

On Thomas' team-high 12 catches in last year's spring game inflating expectations: "Those were lollipop grabs in a spring game. How could you have put any claim to that? The fact that he's playing in the [regular-season] games is more big-time to me. Hell, I didn't even play in the spring game. What means something is he's playing against Michigan, playing against Wisconsin, that's what means something to me. And when you're in the rotation as a true freshman, what more can you ask for? Those other guys that played in front of him, they were already in the program, they were already stronger than you, they understand the speed of the game, they understand what the coaches are asking, they had an understanding of college coaching. ... That doesn't make them better than you. It makes them ahead of you in classification, so they are going to play in front of you until you catch up."

On not meddling: "I don't talk to Urban Meyer. I don't get involved. I'm not the father, I'm the uncle, and my brother would never call the coach — 'Oh my God, why isn't he playing?' That's not how we operate."

On Thomas keeping perspective: "He's a normal, growing kid who wants to do big things. I think [last year] was a bit of a wake-up call to him. You are a freshman playing big-time college football. The fact that you're even on the field playing a lot of snaps throughout the year speaks volumes. ... You can go back at look at [Missouri recruit] Dorial Green-Beckham, the most celebrated receiver coming out of high school in a long time. [USC's} George Farmer was one of the most celebrated wide receivers. He's now on his second reconstructive knee surgery, and before that probably wasn't going to see the field anyway. When you start to compare apples to apples, don't even worry about it.

"His future is bright. He's only a sophomore. What's the hurry? What's the hurry? Enjoy your college career. Enjoy the school and academics, enjoy the girls. What's the hurry? Why are you in such a hurry. To be on the field to play? OK, you are going to do well, because [our family] is built that way. If you tell us to run through a wall, we'll figure how to run around it, over it, we'll figure out a way to the other side. Don't you worry about us. .. I wish I could go back and be in his shoes at Ohio State." 

On how his personality differs from the soft-spoken Thomas': "There's a misperception of me as a loud person off the field. That's not totally reality. That's why I've worked at ESPN for seven years. If I was anything like they tried to portray me as a player, you think corporations would have me in the middle seat at the top level? Not even close."

Tempers flare in Columbus

In spring practice, a star quarterback might as well be surrounded by the Queen's Guard and an electric fence. His black jersey means touch him at your scholarship's risk. 

So it was Tuesday that an otherwise ordinary scrimmage in the Ohio State indoor facility got interesting when junior quarterback Braxton Miller took a shot from defensive end Noah Spence on an option pitch. Miller remained on the ground for about a minute, then stalked toward a huddle of defensive players to make his displeasure clear. A few offensive teammates followed to restrain him.

It's mostly a non-story. Coach Urban Meyer said Miller, who tweaked a sore rib, was "fine" while the run-in never would have came to light if hadn't happened on one of the few days reporters were allowed to watch practice. Publicly, Meyer also made clear he had little problem with a hit made in the heat of competition as long as there was no ill intent. 

But you have to wonder what really shot through his mind as he saw the team's most indispensable piece crash to the turf. Meyer said he appreciated — sort of — that Miller didn't back down.

“I like quarterbacks that want to go get in a street fight and get after it,” he said. “That’s not probably the time to do it, but he’s a competitor. So you're asking what kind of reaction would I want out of a quarterback? I didn't really see what happened, but Braxton is a competitor. I guess that's better than the opposite of just curling up and [saying], 'Why did he hit me?'"

Buckeyes a hot pick for Final Four

Four out of five experts agree: Picking Ohio State in the Final Four is good for your bracket. 

Outside of Louisville — the top seed in the West Region — is there a trendier pick to crash the national semifinals than the Buckeyes? Nine out of ESPN's 13 analysts are that bullish on OSU, as are four out of five writers from Sports Illustrated, three of four analysts at Yahoo! Sports, even President Obama. At CBSSports.com, national columnist Gregg Doyel picks OSU to beat Michigan for the national title.

I must say, I tend to agree. With the Final Four buzz, not with the prediction of OSU over UM for everything. (I have the Buckeyes' road ending in the semifinals and the staggering Wolverines falling to fifth-seeded VCU in the second round). A pick that would have inspired laughter a month ago now seems the conservative one when you consider OSU's path. If the seeding holds true, the Buckeyes' biggest obstacles would be No. 3 New Mexico in the Sweet 16 and top-seeded Gonzaga in the Elite Eight. Both are good teams. But is either better than Indiana or Michigan State — top-10 Big Ten rivals OSU has beaten a combined three times during their eight-game winning streak? I would argue no. So while nothing surprises this time of year, it says here Ohio State has as good a shot as anybody to return to the season's final weekend. 

Can Buckeyes' Craft make the grade?

In today's Blade, I wrote about the specter of early departures for the NBA draft raising the win-now stakes for Ohio State and Michigan this March. The story focused on OSU forward Deshaun Thomas and Michigan's "Big Three" — Trey Burke, Glenn Robinson III, and Tim Hardaway Jr. 

But I also asked one draft analyst for his take on another intriguing case: Buckeyes junior guard Aaron Craft. Could the Findlay native have a place in the NBA after next season?

Here's Joe Kotoch, a former NBA agent who analyzes the draft for ProBasketballDraft.com: 

"There is a split among basketball people. I'm of the opinion that, yes, he has NBA capabilities. To me, the biggest question with Craft is whether he's going to progress to be a more consistent shooter. Defensively, as an energy guy, I think he's got a role in the NBA. Is he in a position where a year from now, he's putting up 15 a night and doing it in a way where everybody feels comfortable? Then I think he's a guy who could go in the mid-second round.

NBA GMs always like those kind of guys that bring the intensity and do the dirty work. Craft is going to lock down the point guard. ... Having a guy who's going to mix it up and give you 10 minutes a night is important. if you're the Cavs and you've got Kyrie Irving, great, but Kyrie irving brings nothing defensively. Maybe that changes, but if not, a guy like Craft can spell Irving for five minutes a half so he doesn't have a ton of wear and tear on him and you're still getting defense and a guy who can set things up offensively."

For what it's worth ESPN draft guru Chad Ford ranks the 6-foot-2 point guard as the No. 82 overall player in this year's class. I agree with Kotoch. If the defensive-minded Craft continues to come on offensively — the way he has the past few weeks — there's a place for him at any level. 

Odds in LB Grant's favor at OSU

Recruiting rankings are not a science, except when they are. Some high school prospects just seem too gifted not to be college stars. That's what makes the case of Ohio State junior linebacker Curtis Grant so interesting. 

As you may have heard, the former five-star prospect is getting a — final? — chance to prove himself as a starter this spring. And, at least in one respect, the odds are in favor. 

Rivals.com ranked the 6-foot-3, 241-pound Parade All-American the No. 2 overall recruit in the country. Here's how the eight players with the same ranking from the 2002 to 2009 classes fared:

2002 — Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon: Left early for the NFL, drafted 13th overall in NFL Draft. 

 2003 — Reggie Bush, RB, Southern California: Left early, drafted second.

 2004 — Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State: Left early, drafted ninth.

 2005 — Patrick Turner, WR, Southern California: Played four years for the Trojans, drafted 87th (Third round). 

2006 — Andre Smith, OT, Alabama: Left early, drafted sixth. 

2007 — Joe McKnight, RB, Southern California: Left early, drafted 112th (Fourth round). 

2008 — DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson: Left early, picked 51st (Second round). 

2009 — Reuben Randle, WR, LSU: Left early, picked 63rd (Second round). 

So all eight players became regular starters, seven left school with elibility remaining to enter the NFL Draft, and four were top-15 selections. Will Grant be an anomaly or next in line? By all accounts, he is a respected teammate who is taking the game more seriously than ever this spring. Grant, who has started only three games his first two seasons, knows the time to prove himself is now. "Either you man up," he said, "or get out."

Meyer staying in the spotlight

Urban Meyer will be neither out of sight nor out of mind during Monday night's BCS national championship game. In fact, the Ohio State coach looks to get more face time on air than Notre Dame's Brian Kelly and Alabama's Nick Saban combined. Meyer will be joining ESPN's "College GameDay" crew Monday in South Beach as an analyst.

From an ESPN press release:

The Discover BCS National Championship will add guest analysts including former ESPN commentator and current Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin, whose team was the only program to top Alabama this season.

College GameDay BCS Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Network	Location/Analysts
Tue, Jan 1	11 a.m.	ESPNU	Fowler, Herbstreit, Corso, Howard & McShay (Pasadena, Calif.)
	noon	ESPN
Wed, Jan 2	7-8 p.m.	ESPN	Fowler, Herbstreit, Howard & Pollack (New Orleans)
Thu, Jan 3	7-8 p.m.	ESPN	Davis, Holtz & May (Glendale, Ariz.)
Mon, Jan 7	6-8 p.m.	ESPN	Fowler, Herbstreit, Corso, Howard, Pollack, Meyer & Sumlin (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

 

Athlon ranks OSU second in ... 2013

And it's here: the first way-too-early national prediction of the Top 25 for 2013, though it's fair to assume Ohio State fans won't be decrying the poll as premature. Athlon Sports ranks the Buckeyes second and foresees them facing little resistance in a declining Big Ten Conference, with only one team on their schedule -- 20th-ranked Michigan -- among the preseason top 20. 

Here's the complete Top 25: 

1. Alabama

2. Ohio State

3. Oregon

4. LSU

5. Georgia 

6. Florida

7. Texas A&M

8. Notre Dame

9. Oklahoma

10. Stanford

11. South Carolina

12. Clemson

13. Oklahoma State

14. TCU

15. Louisville

16. Florida State

17. Boise State

18. UCLA

19. Nebraska 

20. Michigan

21. USC

22. Texas

23. Wisconsin

24. Oregon State

25. Arizona State

We the people ...

On the White House’s official Web site, there is a forum for citizens to craft petitions to the Obama administration. Recent posts include appeals to “abolish the illegal federal reserve and return to a gold and silver standard as defined in the U.S. constitution,” “nationalize the Twinkie industry,” and “shut down White House petitions, since they never get a sincere response, few read them, & they are ultimately worthless.”

But enough with the frivolity. Moving on to a topic of national importance, Ohio State fans this week requested a pardon for their Buckeyes. 

“The Ohio State University football team is one win away from an undefeated season,” the petition read. “However, due to imposed sanctions, they are not allowed to participate in their conference’s championship game or the following bowl season. While a punishment for past indiscretions is to be expected, a bowl season ban is too harsh for a few young men trading memorabilia for tattoos and some change. The offending players and coach who covered it up are no longer part of the program. Please exercise your executive power to pardon the NCAA’s excessive sanctions placed on The Ohio State Buckeyes to enable a rightful, satisfying culmination to the college football season for the American people.”

For the record, the petition has been removed for violating the White House site’s terms of participation while the OSU administration has yet to announce plans to involve Washington. Athletic director Gene Smith again this week refused to second-guess the school’s much-debated decision not to voluntarily decline a bowl invitation last year.

"I could sit here and give you a million other what-ifs had we taken that, but I’m not going there," Smith said. "I’m worried about making sure that we position our football staff, our student-athletes, and do everything we can to have the opportunity to beat That Team Up North. That’s my mission right now. I apologize if that sounds insensitive, but that is the reality of what we have to do."

Could OSU win AP national title?

For a story in today's Blade, I asked more than a dozen AP voters with Ohio State fourth or higher on their latest ballot if they could envision voting OSU champion if it was the only unbeaten team after the bowls are played. Here are some more -- and expanded -- responses:

"Right now, I don't see any way I could vote Ohio State No. 1. A team that survives a conference championship game (potentially) and a bowl game would be more deserving, even with one loss." -- Austin Meek, Topeka Capital-Journal

"No, I don't really see how you could vote them No. 1 without having to clear a January hurdle. I suppose it's theoretically possible, if everyone (including the entire SEC) lost twice ... and perhaps they could get to No. 1 before the bowls. But practically speaking, someone is going to win the BCS bowls, someone is going to win the championship game, and those teams will have a better claim on the final ballot than someone who didn't participate. Especially since their absence is their own fault. Probation shouldn't be a strategic advantage." -- Phil Miller, Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"I can’t really envision a scenario in which I would vote an unbeaten Ohio State over a one-loss team that wins the BCS title game. If the Buckeyes’ schedule was more difficult perhaps I could entertain that outcome, but there would have to be a rash of late-season losses by top-ranked teams for me to think of putting Ohio State at the No. 1 slot." -- Chris Murray, Reno Gazette-Journal

"I couldn't have envisioned Alabama losing at home or Kansas State being involved in national championship discussion, so I couldn't rule out considering Ohio State as No. 1 on my final ballot. So, short answer is yes. We're told when the voting begins to not let probation be a factor in our judgment, so that doesn't concern me. On the other hand, body of work needs to be considered more in the last month of voting than that specific weekend's results, and the schedule would work against Ohio State there and perhaps let a one-loss team slide in ahead." -- Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times

"I have been confounded by the Buckeyes all season and have tried several weeks in a row now to avoid moving them up when teams ahead of them have lost. But each time, including this week with Alabama, I have ended up sliding them up. While I don't think they'd beat some of the teams directly behind them, I also believe that wins matter. And they just keep winning. For that reason, I'd say I CAN envision a scenario where I'd put them No. 1. Their schedule isn't so weak that it would be out of the question. But I wouldn't feel good about it, simply because they don't pass the eye test as an overall team." -- Ira Schoffel, Tallahassee Democrat