I know with Snyder at least, he committed VERY early in the recruiting season.  He had some verbal offers, but he was a strong OHIO from the verbal on...

The reason I talked about Everson was because of the dramatic improvement from Junior to Senior. I believe Bates has a similar possibility of a significant improvement. I certainly hope it will happen.

As regards recruiting QBs, I think we are talking about something that was a problem in the past, but isn't really one today, though today we will suffer from the consequences of recruiting issues in 2006-2008.  Ohio did offer many QBs that ended elsewhere during that period, including Dysert at Miami, and both Matt Rodgers and Patrick Nicely at Akron.  A few years ago, Ohio was losing more recruiting battles than they won, and that was especially true at QB. I think the track record shows that Ohio has done a decent job of identifying good potential QBs, they just weren't getting them, especially during that period.  From 2006-2008 Ohio made offers to probably 30 potential QBs, 16 of them in 2007 alone. In that period the only QB that came to Ohio as a Freshman was Brian Sweeney, who probably didn't get as many offers as he would have due to injuries, injuries that ultimately kept him from playing.

Since 2008 the situation has been improving, and I don't think its a problem any more. Ohio has shown that they aren't playing triple option anymore, and they are winning some QB recruiting battles. 2009 had Tettleton, 2010 Snyder, and 2011 has Bell and Vick. I think one or more of those will develop into pretty decent QBs, and that in a few years we'll be seeing solid play at QB without having to rely on Jucos and transfers.

Great points LC. I hope you are right. What is crazy is that we did lose another recruiting battle at QB to Miami this year. I can't remember the dude's name and don't feel like looking, but he was from the Cincy area.

How is that possible. We beat them 5 years in a row, their coach leaves and they are stocked at QB for the next 4 years. Sigh....

But yes, perhaps one of your young dudes will be a success. I just am surprised that we can't seem to win a recruiting battle with another MAC school at this position. I think I just want a can't miss prospect who can start for four seasons for us. I really feel like that is what is preventing us from winning the MAC consistently.

+1  on the argument that good line play can lead to other good stuff.  The experience which you cite on the O-line, L.C., is why I'm concerned about our D-line for next year...more concerned about the lack of experience on the D-line than I am about QB.

Good points Bob. I just watched Lefevour high school footage and he didn't look all that special. You're right, maybe one of the guys we have will make the transition to the next level the way he did. I'm feeling better

I know that it was just a scrimmage today against our own guys.  But Tettleton's 10-13-3-0 today is not bad news.

I still say that the big year is all about the D-line; we'll be okay at qb.

Snoop, not to be contrary...but what you say is no different than for any other school.  QB is obviously a very important position.  But we have some athletes there.  And enough talent, it would appear, at the other positions on offense such that we don't need our QB to be a hero.  At least right away.

Then, I'd propose that disruptive defensive linemen are more difficult to find and more influential than QB's.  Certainly in college ball.  Many teams have solid QB's.  Not so many have defensive lines which dominate.  And when you get a defensive line which dominates, watch out.  See how kents beat us last year.

Now, look at our defensive line.  Our starters last year were our best players at the d-line positions, right?  Well, though they were all seniors, we did not have a notably good defensive line.  Decent against the run, but little pass pressure.  Next season?  Four new starters.

So, I'm more concerned about d-line (four newbies this season) than I am QB (one newbie).

Agree on, L.C.  I  heard on talk radio that qb Jake Locker, beloved by scouts after a fine jr year, had a poor senior year because his line was bad.  But scouts still like him as his skills haven't deteriorated even though the bad line play brought his stats down.

I don't bet much either.  But betting lines for the first couple of weeks definitely give big opportunities--especially re the less followed schools.  If the 'Cats solve it at d-line, you'll be able to make money on 'em early in the year.

I remember an Iowa State fan -- either on this board or on the ISU board, can't remember which -- who said a year or two ago that Phil Bates was the best all around athlete to play at Cyclone U. in a decade or more.  Now, he didn't say "best QB" but "best athlete."  I wonder, therefore, if part of the reason that he transferred was that it was looking like he wasn't going to get much PT at QB the next year and he had his heart set on being a QB.  If this is correct, this is similar to the story on Roback when he transferred: couldn't make it at QB at UND so he transferred to Ohio to play QB.  However, he now appears content to play at TE.  I'm wondering if Mr. Bates will go the same route, and end up in another offensive position.  Perhaps a HB or "slot back" of some sort.  After watching the spring game my money was on Snyder, until I heard Frank praise Tettleton's play.  Now, I'm expecting one of them to win the starting QB job, and the other to be the top backup.  I could be very wrong, but I just don't see Bates as our starting QB, but Frank would be crazy -- which he is not -- if he didn't figure a way to work this big-time athlete into a position where he will see a lot of on the field action.  

That loose concept of being 'a great athlete'--you want that or you want being effective on the field?

From our qb:  First, no turnovers.