By Tom Luginbill (ESPN.com) —
Going back to just the 2006 class, the mental and physical traits of prospects coming out of Ohio have afforded them the ability to contribute early and in some cases make a big impact.

The wealth of the 2006 class was spread around the Midwest with obvious playmakers like RB Chris Wells (Akron, Ohio/Garfield) and TE Jake Ballard (Springboro, Ohio) making splashes at Ohio State. Tight end Jeff Cumberland (Columbus, Ohio/Brookhaven) has become one of the more versatile WR/H-Backs in college football and has started since his true freshman year for Illinois. Guard Justin Boren (Pickerington, Ohio) was off to a hot start as a two-year starter for Michigan before Rich Rodriguez came on board and Boren decided to head home and transfer to Ohio State (he is currently sitting out). Don’t forget about a bit of a surprise starter for Kentucky in QB Mike Hartline (Canton, Ohio/Glen Oak).

Both RB Brandon Saine (Piqua, Ohio) at Ohio State and WR Kyle Jefferson (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville) at Wisconsin have made their presence felt early on from the 2007 class.

Most recently out of the 2008 class, tight end Kyle Rudolph (Cincinnati/Elder) at Notre Dame has been a significant presence and upgrade to its roster in the passing game. Wide receiver DeVier Posey (Cincinnati/LaSalle) is getting into the mix for the Buckeyes and RB Michael Shaw (Trotwood, Ohio/Madison) is playing because he is a nice fit for the spread.

However, in 2009 the offensive personnel in the state of Ohio is really lacking from a skill perspective. This is a defense-dominant class in Ohio, and out of the top 20 prospects we have graded in the state, there are no wide receivers, only one running back — Fitzgerald Toussaint (Youngstown, Ohio/Liberty) — and two players in the “athlete” category in Justin Turner (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) and Darrell Mason (Youngstown, Ohio/Ursuline).

The interior prospects in Ohio on both sides of the ball, like No. 1 OC Jack Mewhort (Toledo, Ohio/St. John’s) are what gives the state some strength in this class, but we would otherwise classify 2009 as being a bit of a down year as far as offensive personnel is concerned.
Top recruit

Marcus Hall, offensive tackle
Glenville HS (Cleveland)
Considering: Illinois, Miami (FL), Ohio State, Michigan and others

It is rare that a state’s top prospect is an offensive lineman, but it happened in 2006 with Andre Smith in Alabama. At 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, Marcus Hall is a powerful, mammoth-looking offensive tackle who certainly looks the part and can be an overpowering prospect at the point of attack. It should be no surprise that high school powerhouse Glenville is producing the state’s top player, though usually its best are skill players like Ray Small, Ted Ginn or even Cordale Scott from the 2008 class.

It is kind of nice to see one of the “big uglies” get some top billing, and while Hall can be very raw and is further advanced as a run blocker as opposed to a pass protector, he does possess all the physical tools to be able to develop into a top-notch offensive lineman in college. We are not convinced he will end up at left tackle — it will probably be right tackle and maybe even guard — but his size and overall power is what intrigues coaches.

Recruit under the radar

Brian Underwood, wide receiver
Cleveland Heights HS
Verbal commitment: NC State

This guy could be a real steal for the Wolfpack and a nice snag away from the Big Ten and Big East conferences. Underwood is explosive and shows cat-like quickness, but he is undersized. He is the type of player you want to get in space, involve him in the screen and reverse elements of the offense and utilize his speed and quickness as a punt and kick return man.

As much as we have seen an upswing in the big wide receivers dominating the college landscape, guys like Underwood do seem to be sneaking up and making a splash because of the spread offense. Smaller players are more capable of making people miss and creating mismatches in space, so we would expect guys under 6-0 to continue to have a role, if not an increased one.

Underwood is also a good route runner and if utilized creatively would be a nice addition to any offensive scheme.
On the Trail (BCS conference schools)
Ohio State, 26 commits (Oct. 13)
Ironically, the Buckeyes’ two top offensive skill prospects hail from Florida in No. 1 RB Jaamal Berry (Miami/Palmetto) and ESPNU 150 WR Duron Carter (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas), great catches considering the lack of elite skill players in-state. Buckeye fans, you are going to love Jaamal Berry. This is a defensive oriented class though, with playmaking No. 3 OLB Dorian Bell (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) one of four ESPNU 150 commits on that side of the ball.
Cincinnati, 20 commits (Oct. 13)

If local athlete prospect Chris Williams (Cincinnati/Winton Woods) ends up on offense, he could be a playmaker for this offense. Same can be said for Everett Horne (Cincinnati/North College Hill). Six of the top 10 prospects we have graded for this class are on defense (eight of 10 if you include Williams and Horne), led by explosive perimeter linebacker Angel Clybourn (Richland, N.J./Blair Academy).
ESPNRISE.com Ohio Game of the Week

Cardinal Mooney-Youngstown (7-1) vs. Ursuline-Youngstown (8-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET:
This is one of the nation’s top small Catholic school rivalries. The game, known as Youngtown’s Holy War, also marks the final game in the storied Steel Valley Conference history at Youngstown State’s Stambaugh Stadium.

The game has seen the likes of Mooney alumni Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Mike Stoops (Arizona) and Bo Pelini (Nebraska), all who coach at the high college level. Mooney owns the series, leading 36-14-3 all-time. It’s been seven years since Ursuline has beaten their rivals on the field; in 2001, Ursuline won 39-6, but later forfeited the game for use of an ineligible player. The Irish won the 2000 meeting in the same season they captured their only state title.

Last week, Ursuline toppled Buchtel-Akron 40-6 behind a stout defense, paced by linebacker Jamel Turner, an ESPNU 150 Watch List junior, and defensive back Dale Peterman. Also keep an eye on two-way performer Darrell Mason of Ursuline.

Mooney’s top seniors are Ohio State-bound defensive tackle John Simon (6-3, 275) and Vince Penza, the No. 6-rated kicker by ESPN Scouts Inc. — Christopher Lawlor

Tom Luginbill is the national director of recruiting for Scouts Inc. Luginbill is a college football and recruiting studio analyst for ESPNU.

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