COLUMBUS, Ohio – A look at several of the top prospects that took the field on Monday for day two of the Herbstreit Classic held on Ohio State’s campus.
J.J. Green is an outstanding cornerback and kick return prospect.
Kingsland (Ga.) Camden County
-Class of 2013 cornerback J.J. Green was arguably the most exciting player of the day. The usual knock on small defensive backs is they’re not physical, but the 5-foot-9, 168-pound Green will come up and knock somebody’s teeth in. He had two big-time hits in the 23-14 victory over Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville. Green broke up three passes, rushed for 49 yards, and nearly housed a 71-yard kickoff return. He returned five kicks for scores as a sophomore, and just moves at a different speed than everyone else on the field. Florida is showing the most interest, but Green is also hearing from several other programs including Florida State, Georgia and South Carolina. His coach Jeff Herron compared him to Seminoles defensive back Greg Reid.
-Four-star junior quarterback and Georgia commit Brice Ramsey wasn’t asked to do much in the win, completing 3-of-6 passes for 18 yards.
“He’s going to be a heck of a player but he’s not there yet,” Herron said before the game. “He’s still inexperienced and going to make rookie mistakes but he has something you can’t help but notice.
“To start with he has a great arm and he’s a very intelligent kid. I think being in our offense has helped him, and I’ve had several college coaches tell him that because we rely so much on your footwork and your ball handling ability, that it’s made him develop from that standpoint. He’s good at play action and every aspect. He’s not just a stand in the gun and catch and throw kind of kid. I think that made him more attractive.”
-Southern Miss may be getting a steal in 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive lineman Devlyn Cousin. Glenville had to double team Cousin most of the afternoon. A powerful player with great upside. Byran Attaway is also a prospect to watch. The 6-foot-5, 267-pound prospect is a nice blocking tight end that could fit in well to any pro-style offense. Also has the ability to play defensive end.
Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville
-Ohio State is getting an outstanding hard-hitting safety in De’van Bogard. The Top247 prospect had a game-high six solos and six assisted tackles, many coming with him flying down into the box and laying a big smack or diving tackle on the ball-carrier. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Bogard is an instinctual player that will easily play at over 200 pounds on the next level. He is currently ranked as the nation’s fourth-best safety and 101st-best prospect overall.
Top247 safety and Ohio State safety commit De'van Bogard his a hard-hitter.
-V’Angelo Bentley impacted the game in several ways. First, he returned the game’s first punt 86 yards for a score. He then picked up a fumble and ran it back 27 yards for a touchdown. He carried the football 10 times for 75 yards, and besides Green, was the most exciting player on the field. He also caught three passes for 34 yards and recovered a second fumble. Before the game, Glenville assistant coach Tony Overton said that the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Bentley was excited about his Pittsburgh offer, but that he doesn’t plan to do much with recruiting during his senior season.
-Defensive tackle Willie Henry was Glenville’s most dominant defensive lineman, coming up with four solos, five assists, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovered. An imposing player at 6-foot-3, 270-pounds, Henry currently holds offers from the likes of Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Syracuse, and Overton added that Ohio State is monitoring him this season. Henry plays with a high motor, and has good get off.
-Sean Draper has the look of a BCS cornerback. The long 6-foot-1, 170-pound prospect had a ridiculous one-armed interception called back on a questionable pass interference call when checking Green. He had three tackles, and is a physical player that forced a fumble. Draper has several MAC offers, and Overton said the Buckeyes are also watching him this fall.
-Alex Pace is a thick 6-foot-3, 284-pound defensive tackle that is quick off the snap and plays with a mean streak. He had four tackles with two stops for loss. Overton said that Pace goes back and forth on which of his many offers he’s favoring, and like Bentley, won’t focus much on his recruitment this season.
-You couldn’t miss 6-foot, 185-pound safety prospect Aykee Henderon, who came up with five solos, four assists and a forced fumble. Akron, Bowling Green and Toledo have offered, but the quick and rangy defender could garner BCS interest with several more performances of this caliber.
Indianapolis (Ind.) Cathedral
-Indiana offensive line commit Jacob Bailey was dominant for Cathedral all afternoon, manhandling Centerville defensive linemen. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Bailey projects as a guard in the Hoosiers offense, and is a good athlete that quickly gets to the second level. He also had the hit of the day on special teams, laying out Centerville safety and Miami (Ohio) commit Jay Mastin on an onside kick in the fourth quarter.
-John Turner will play safety or even grow into a linebacker at Notre Dame, but Cathedral utilizes him as a cornerback. Receivers are usually no match for Turner when trying to block the 6-foot-2, 205-pound prospect, who just glides around the field. Turner will have no problems covering tight ends on the next level, and enjoys contact whenever he can get it. Also involved on special teams.
Indiana is getting one of the state's top prospects in Cathedral's Jacob Bailey.
-Quarterback Corey Babb has a Division-I arm, but the senior signal-caller and first-year quarterback needs to become more consistent and accurate with his reads. Could be a prospect that picks up an offer late in the process. He finished 9-of-21 passing for 205 yards and four touchdowns in the 34-17 victory over Centerville.
-Tight end Anthony Corsaro is definitely good enough to play in the MAC and says he’s received game invites from Ball State and Western Michigan. He’s also hearing from some Ivy League schools. He can stretch the field, catching two deep touchdown passes from Babb, giving him four on the season through three games.
Dayton (Ohio) Centerville High
-It was a quiet night for Top247 outside linebacker prospect Ifeadi Odenigbo, who is just beginning his third season of organized football. On the hoof, you see the potential. Odenigbo is 6-foot-4, 220-pounds with great speed. He did make a play early in the Cathedral backfield, but a lot of times he wasn’t much of a factor. The play went away from Odenigbo most of the game.
-Michigan State offensive line commit Benny McGowan is a mauler that plays to the whistle. The Spartans offense is the perfect fit for the 6-foot-4, 308-pound McGowan, but he’ll need to improve as a pass blocker before becoming an every down player in East Lansing. In his defense, there isn’t much opportunity to pass block in Centerville’s triple-option offense.
-Junior offensive tackle Evan Lisle has a lot of upside. Has a great frame at 6-foot-5, 265-pounds, and is a nice run blocker with the athleticism to be a good pass blocker once he polishes up in that area. Has all the tools to be a good left tackle.
- Steve Wiltfong
- National Recruiting Writer - 247Sports