ReRank Breakdown: 2008 Ohio State Recruiting Class

Hits & Misses

Hit: Terrelle Pryor (WR) — Originally ranked 3. Outcome: NFL Starter. Pryor exceeded expectations by achieving a high outcome despite being a highly ranked recruit. Hit: Michael Brewster (IOL) — Originally ranked 13. Outcome: NFL Starter. Brewster performed strongly, solidifying his position in the NFL as a starter. Hit: Mike Adams (UNKNOWN) — Originally ranked 16. Outcome: NFL Starter. Adams showcased his skills at a high level, resulting in a successful NFL career. Miss: DeVier Posey (WR) — Originally ranked 66. Outcome: NFL Drafted. Posey underperformed relative to his ranking, as he was drafted but did not reach higher accolades. Miss: Jake Stoneburner (TE) — Originally ranked 96. Outcome: Undrafted NFL Roster. Stoneburner did not meet expectations for his draft status, ending up on an undrafted roster. Miss: Travis Howard (CB) — Originally ranked 183. Outcome: All Conference. Howard's outcome fell short of expectations given his ranking, as he did not achieve higher honors. Miss: Willie Mobley (DL) — Originally ranked 185. Outcome: Bust. Mobley did not live up to the expectations set by his ranking, resulting in a failed career trajectory.

Development Story

The 2008 Ohio State recruiting class displayed a mix of outcomes, highlighting the program's ability to develop talent, particularly among highly ranked recruits. The class included several players who exceeded expectations, particularly Terrelle Pryor, Michael Brewster, and Mike Adams, all of whom achieved the notable outcome of NFL Starter. This indicates a strong development track for these athletes, showcasing the program's focus on cultivating talent at high-profile positions. However, the class also had its share of disappointments. Notably, several highly ranked players did not achieve significant outcomes, such as DeVier Posey and Travis Howard. The disparity in outcomes suggests that while Ohio State was successful in developing certain players, other recruits did not translate their high school rankings into impactful college careers. The overall class was characterized by a solid blue-chip percentage of 65, indicating a strong base of talent. Still, the outcomes reveal that development varied significantly among recruits, with some players thriving in the program while others fell short of expectations.

Outcome Summary

Overall, the Ohio State 2008 recruiting class met expectations, particularly in terms of developing high-ranking recruits into successful collegiate athletes. The S2S rerank improved from 7 to 9, reflecting the program’s capacity to enhance player outcomes during their tenure. While some recruits performed below expectations, the notable successes among the higher-ranked recruits balance the overall performance of the class. In summary, the 2008 class demonstrated a solid ability to develop talent, with several players achieving high outcomes despite some disappointing performances from others.