COLUMBUS, Ohio – Buckeye coach Urban Meyer and his staff reeled in one of the top football recruiting classes in the nation, according to some analysts, when the sun set on National Letter of Intent Signing Day Wednesday.
The class of 2013 features 24 players from 11 states, including nine players from South Eastern Conference states and 10 from Ohio.
“It was a great day. I thought it was going to be a very good day but I’d put it in the great category,” Meyer said.
The big news on signing day was OSU’s addition of receiver James Clark of Florida and five-star safety Vonn Bell, from Rossville, Ga., who selected the Buckeyes over Alabama and childhood favorite Tennessee.
According to Rivals.com, Urban Meyer’s 2013 recruiting class is the second best in the nation.
Among the highlights: three top performers from Texas – five-star linebacker Mike Mitchell, running back/athlete Dontre Wilson and quarterback J.T. Barrett.
Seven from the southeastern United States, including Bell and five-star defensive lineman Joey Bosa from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Elie Apple, a five-star cornerback from New Jersey.
The top player from Missouri, running back Ezekiel Elliott, and one of the top tight ends in the country – Marcus Baugh – from Riverside, Calif.
Top recruits from Ohio include, five-star receiver prospect Jalin Marshall from Middletown and four of the top five in-state prospects, according to ESPN – No. 1 athlete Gareon Conley, Marshall, No. 3 cornerback Cam Burrows and No. 5 offensive lineman Evan Lisle.