Ohio State 2004 — Recruiting Outcomes

Hits & Misses

Hit: Vernon Gholston (EDGE) — Originally ranked 194. Outcome: NFL Drafted. Despite a relatively low initial ranking, Gholston exceeded expectations by becoming an NFL Draft pick. Hit: Marcus Freeman (LB) — Originally ranked 49. Outcome: NFL Drafted. Freeman also outdid his initial ranking, making it to the NFL Draft. Miss: Kyle Mitchum (OT) — Originally ranked 38. Outcome: Bust. Despite a promising ranking, Mitchum unfortunately did not live up to expectations. Miss: Rory Nicol (TE) — Originally ranked 122. Outcome: College Starter. Nicol's college career didn't match his high initial ranking, peaking as a college starter.

Development Story

The 2004 Ohio State recruiting class presented a mixed bag of development outcomes. Ranked 20th in the original rankings, the class fell to 44th in the S2S rerank. Of the 24 total recruits, a mere 21% were considered blue-chip recruits, indicating a lower level of top-tier talent entering the program. The standout performers of the class, such as Vernon Gholston and Marcus Freeman, show that Ohio State was successful in developing lower-ranked recruits into NFL Draft picks. However, the underperformance of high-ranked recruits like Kyle Mitchum and Rory Nicol implies a development inconsistency within the program.

Outcome Summary

Overall, the 2004 Ohio State class underperformed relative to its original expectations. The significant drop in the S2S rerank from 20th to 44th reflects this underperformance. While the class did produce some NFL Draft picks, the overall development and success rate of the recruits was less than anticipated. This class serves as a reminder that high initial rankings do not always translate into on-field success.