OSU football recruiting update
BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Sunday, February 03, 2013
2/03/13 at 7:27 AM
Down the stretch: Not only is recruiting an inexact science, it's a science that is always in motion.
Defensive end Tyus Bowser of John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas, committed to OSU, then decommitted because perhaps the commitment wasn't mutual. Could basketball be in his future?
Teammate and four-star receiver Fred Ross committed to the Cowboys long ago, but was downgraded to a "soft verbal" (does that terminology exist anywhere besides in the recruiting world?) after he took a visit last weekend to Mississippi State. One way or another, he could be at Reliant Stadium in Houston for an OSU-Mississippi State season opener in 2013.
Blue-chip running back Dontre Wilson once was committed to Oregon, but became a free agent when coach Chip Kelly left for the NFL. He visited Ohio State and at one point was going to visit OSU, but instead is visiting Texas this weekend, according to a recruiting site that covers the Longhorns.
Things get more stable Wednesday, when commitments are replaced by signed letters of intent.
Lone Oklahoman: OSU did not have an Oklahoman on its commitment list until Dawson Bassett of Tuttle received a surprise scholarship offer Wednesday. Nineteen of the state's top 20 prospects (as ranked by ESPN.com) have committed to FBS schools.
Bassett, the younger brother of former Cowboy defensive lineman Cooper Bassett, played linebacker and receiver in high school. He expects to redshirt as a freshman and his future position could hinge on how much bigger he can get.
Signing day countdown: Commitments are non-binding. Prospects aren't bound to the schools they choose until they sign a letter of intent. The first day recruits can sign a letter of intent is Wednesday. Gundy will discuss the Cowboys' nationally ranked signing class during a Wednesday press conference at Boone Pickens Stadium.
The rankings
Scout 20th, ESPN 26th, Rivals 27th
Position watch: Kicker
Quinn Sharp excelled as a punter, kicker and touchback machine during his career at OSU. He was arguably the nation's top special teams player and will be hard to follow. The Cowboys have a commitment from kicker Ben Grogan of Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. He is ranked as the nation's seventh-best player at his position by Scout.com and is ranked as the ninth-best player at his position by Rivals.com. Junior-to-be Bobby Stonebreaker was listed as Sharp's backup at kicker last season and senior-to-be Michael Reichenstein was listed as Sharp's backup at punter.
