After the success with early recruits last year, Ohio definitely seems to have gone after some quality kids this year. Looking at the early results, the pecking order seems clear. Ohio is at or near the top choice in the MAC, but continues to have trouble recruiting against the Big Tenfinity/SEC etc, which isn't surprising. Among kids that had offers from both schools, against other MAC schools:
               Chose Ohio          Chose Other Team
Akron            1                                   0
Ball State      2                                   0
BG                2                                   3
Buff               1                                   0
CMU             0                                   1
Kent              1                                   0
Toledo           2                                   1
WMU             2                                  0
U.Mass          1                                   0
Total              12                                 5

By comparison Ohio is 0-10 so far against the Big Tenfinity, 0-5 versus SEC, and 0-6 against the Big Leftover (0-3 versus Louisville, 0-2 versus Cincy). Ohio has clearly moved up the recruiting quality a lot over the last few years. In 2005-2008, and again in 2010, most Ohio recruits had no other offers, so Ohio was relying on finding gems in the rough. I don't know how accurate these numbers are, but I show that the average number of other FBS offers for players, by recruiting class was:
2006 - .7
2007 - .7
2008 - 1.4
2009 - 1.1
2010 - .7
2011 - 1.9
2012 - 2.4
2013 - 2.4
2014 - 3.0 so far

I realize that this is subjective...but very impressive by us.  Given what we've been able to achieve, what we have to look forward to with even betttr talent and depth is fun.

Lifting now begins in Middle School.  High School athletes are year round football, basketball, track.  weight lifting class, off season workouts, summer lifting, speed camps etc. My son felt his easiest time was during football or track season.  Off season, he had off season football before school, weight lifting class during school and off season track after school.  His team mates suffered all the injuries, did all the rehab.  The all-state RB missed his junior year to knee surgery.  My boy DE/OT/shot/disk never had surgery. Once he asked me why he was so lucky. After high school folks asked him if he wanted to play college? He said he just wanted his back to stop hurting.  With the levels these kids lift and compete, injuries are not if, but, when.