Area H.S. football: Week 8
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Jim Tressel is smoother than Pitt and Penn State
Jim Tressel has (rightly so) been praised for his ability to keep many of Ohio’s best players in the state wearing Ohio State uniforms. The same thing happened with Missouri coach Gary Pinkel (Akron native and Kent State grad) when I was in school. He came in, said he was going to close the borders and within a few years made Missouri (Missouri!) into one of the country’s best football teams.
But, sometimes, you just have to go after the best players.
Tressel and the Buckeyes have raided Western Pennsylvania for more and more players in the past few years, a trend documented by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Since Trinity graduate Andrew Sweat verbally committed to Ohio State in May 2007, four other WPIAL recruits - former Jeannette quarterback Terrelle Pryor, Jeannette running back Jordan Hall, Gateway linebacker Dorian Bell and Gateway receiver Corey Brown - followed his lead.
“I think (Ohio State has) come in and mined the field a little bit, and they keep coming back,” Trinity coach Ed Dalton said. “These were kids that would have been at Penn State 10 years ago. Everyone has a great recruiter on staff, but when the head coach is a great recruiter, that is an additional thing.”
This is a good point. Often, when a player talks about his recruitment to a school, he’ll mention an assistant coach with whom he’s grown close. That’s to be expected, since the assistant coaches make contact most often.
Pryor’s situation underscores Penn State’s slipping handle on the area. When talking about Penn State, he mentioned only assistant coaches. People were shocked, in fact, when Joe Paterno visited Jeannette High School himself.
With Tressel, though, the personal visits are generally hits. We saw that in January when Tressel made a trip to Beavercreek to see recently committed Zach Domicone and caused a stir at the high school. He was friendly and courteous to each person. He waved goodbye to small children. He graciously signed autographs. He understands the power of his visits.
That power apparently includes persuading recruits to play football for Ohio State. Even those outside of Ohio.
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Comments
By Bob540
July 10, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
I think the tenuous situation with Coach Paterno (will he be there, and for how long?) has hurt Penn State recruiting, and that opened the door for Ohio State and Tressel to nab PA players who otherwise might have gone to Penn State. The situation must be frustrating for fans in the State of Pennsylvania, and especially Penn State fans. Penn State needs to right its house, probably with a coaching change, ASAP.By Strawberry shortcake
July 11, 2008 6:08 AM | Link to this
Another powder puff schedule for the buckeyes..Headlined by that powerhouse youngstown st. then the mighty ohio bobcats and then the always tough troy boys.What a bunch of panty wastes.By collegefootballdude
July 11, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
You are a little shortcake, sweetie pie. And the Buckeyes travel to USC in early Sept. Just join the OSU bandwagon like you secretly want to, and then you won’t be our little you know what…By Heckofaman
July 12, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
Coach Tressel has created the dominate program in college football, plain and simple. I spend much of my work time in the great state of Michigan…even their fans recognize the Bucks as The Team of the 21st Century…USC will pay a price for scheduling the Bucks…but the game will draw a great national TV audience and make big $$$ for both schools.