The Buckeye State’s top 5

The Ohio class of 2002 was a spectacular one. It was as good a year overall talent wise in the Buckeye state as there has been in many years. The talent level for Ohio’s class of 2003 won’t match the class of 2002, but there will still be plenty of prospects for recruiters to pursue. In fact the top five prospects in the Buckeye state all already have plenty of scholarship offers on the table.

Linebacker/strong safety prospect Prescott Burgess from Warren Harding already has scholarship offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame just to name a few. He is the Buckeye state’s top prospect.

Cornerback Donte Whitner from Cleveland Glenville says he will likely wait and take official visits before he makes a decision despite plenty of early scholarship offers. Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, and West Virginia are just some of the schools that have offered this super talent a scholarship.

Tight end Louis Irizarry from Youngstown Ursuline is one of the country’s best.

He has been a varsity starter since his freshman season so recruiters have known about him for quite some time. Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan State are just some of Irizarry’s early offers, but he is expected to commit to Ohio State by the end of May or early June.

Shawn Crable from Massillon Washington made 73 tackles including 12 sacks during his junior season.

He could play either defensive end or as a rush outside linebacker in college. Crable has early offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Tennessee, and Miami, but his decision may come down to one of the first two.

Defensive tackle David Patterson from Warrensville Heights rounds out the top five.

Patterson has early offers from Ohio State, Pitt, Boston College, and Maryland to name a few. At one point Patterson gave serious thought to committing to the Buckeyes very early, but did not. However Ohio State remains the front-runner.