BuckeyeGrove.com - Quick Hitters: Class of 2008

February 6, 2008

Kevin Noon
Managing Editor

For weeks and moths the Ohio State coaching staff has not been allowed to talk about the 19 players that all signed on the dotted line to become Ohio State football players per NCAA rules. The class started with Ben Buchanan's commitment back in March of 2007 and ran all the way up to National Signing Day with the pledge of Orhian Johnson (plus the Buckeyes are hoping to stretch the class to 20 before it is all said and done).

On Wednesday the restrictions were taken off the staff and Jim Tressel and his staff was finally allowed to talk about their blue-chip class. Below are a few excerpts on each of the 19 players.

Ben Buchanan ? "We're lucky to have an outstanding young guy in Ben Buchanan, great field goal, extra point man, great punter," Tressel said. "Does a great job getting the ball up in the air. Outstanding kicker/punter."

Mike Adams - "He'll be enrolling in March, so he'll have a chance to learn the system and see if he can help out this group at 6-foot-8, 300 and some odd pounds, and he does a heck of a job playing up front," Tressel said.

Michael Brewster ? "Great finisher," Tressel said. "Jim Bollman recognized him three or four years ago as an outstanding football player, and he probably had as much impact on this recruiting class, not just with his talents, but with his leadership."

Nic DiLillo ? "(Nic is) really an outstanding athlete, good basketball player, outstanding student," Tressel said. "As well as all those guys out there, can stretch out and play in space as well, and Nic DiLillo is excited to be a Buckeye."

Jermil Martin ? "He's a big back guy and he wants to wear Number 41 like Keith Byars," Tressel said. "He's a Glenville Tarblooder. We graduate three fullbacks so he'll have a chance to come in and battle for some playing time there and just a great young man."

DeVier Posey ? "He'll come in and compete for playing time not only out wide but in the return game," Tressel said. "Excellent track man. As we went around talking to high school coaches, many of them talked about the fact that he was such a difference maker as they played against him."

J.B. Shugarts ? "(J.B. is) doing a good job this winter in the weight room and he and (Michael Brewster) are doing a good job learning and learning so they can come in during the spring and really take a big step," Tressel said.

Jake Stoneburner ? "Big receiver," Tressel said. "Heck of a football player. Has the ability to go up and make things happen. Does a great job with their screen game. Runs a lot of the jailbreak screen-type things and very versatile."

Lamaar Thomas ? "He's a dynamic playmaker," Tressel said. "He's the type of guy that can play that position a little bit like Teddy where you can swing him out, throw it to him, hand it to him."

Zach Domicone ? "We're always looking for guys with speed," Tressel said. "Defensive coaches felt he would be an outstanding guy in the secondary. Smart football player and very, very versatile."

Garrett Goebel ? "Outstanding defensive lineman," Goebel said. "Top ranked wrestler in the state. Returning state champion. Heavyweight in the State of Illinois. Great power explosion from a very, very good football team."

Travis Howard ? "Travis covers a lot of ground, has good range, good height in the secondary," Tressel said. "Our guys in the secondary feel like he's a dangerous guy as a return man as well."

Orhian Johnson ? "Played quarterback for his team," Tressel said. "Played in the defensive secondary. Again, good range, 6'2", 6'3" kind of guy that can play out in space. He'll be able to do a lot of things."

Willie Mobley ? "Can't get enough of those guys that can put pressure on the quarterback," Tressel said. "Outstanding burst. Good quickness inside. Good play inside. Good play end. Good power. Going to be a good football player."

Shawntel Rowell ? "We think he has that kind of quickness to be an inside run stop type of guy and he's done a great job training his body," Tressel said. "He lost about 40 pounds and just did a great job with his power and quickness."

Etienne Sabino ? "He'll be coming in March to be a part of spring practice and just a heck of a good football player at the linebacker position," Tressel said. "Great explosion as he hits you. Smart football player. Excellent speed."

Andrew Sweat ? "He probably has the best arm on our team," Tressel said. "I've seen him throw a football like 80 yards. I don't know what that does for you at linebacker, but he's a heck of an athlete. Loves to play the game. Always got a smile on his face. Outstanding student. Going to be a good one."

Keith Wells ? "Big, long pass rushing kind of guy off of the edge," Tressel said. "Heck of a football player. Only been playing the game two years and a little bit like when Vernon came in, Vernon had only played two years and Keith is going to be a special player."

Nathan Williams ? "Real powerful guy," Tressel said. "We had him in youth camp. Does a lot of things well from a skill standpoint. Good quickness. Loves the game. He must have called us three or four times today after he signed his letter and talked about how excited he was to be a Buckeye."

Starting on Thursday we will profile several of the new Buckeyes and how they figure into the plans of the future for the team.

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