Ted Ginn Sr. has done a brilliant job with developing the
likes of Ginn and Smith. Without Ginn
Sr., Tressel likely wouldn't have landed all of that talent. It is almost
strange how much talent comes out of the Akron-Canton-Cleveland area.
Writer’s Q&A: Is
the Glenville pipeline the most important part of recruiting at Ohio State?
Could Coach Tressel have the success he has had if it wasn't for Ted Ginn Sr.
and the kids coming out of Glenville?
Bill Smith: The most important part of the OSU recruiting
program happens on the last weekend of April—The NFL Draft. Quality players
want to go where they will be seen, scouted, and developed for entry to the
NFL. There is no question that players like Ted Ginn Jr.
and all the others that go high in the draft help recruiting more than any
other single factor. The relationship that a quality man like Coach Tressel has
with high school coaches is the second most important factor. Coaches know that
Tressel will treat their young men with respect and teach them well.
Pete Quint: Having an "in" with Ted Ginn Sr.
certainly didn't hurt Jim Tressel's success at Ohio State. That pipeline is very important but so is the
one we have in Florida. I don't think you can say that there is one pipeline
that is more important than another.
Pipelines dry up and new ones must be established so the Glenville line
is important now but in ten years will it still be the star producer that it is
today?
Eric Geier: It is not the most important but it is a plus to
have a proven producer of quality talent. The most important part of recruiting
is finding the right, level-headed kids with great character who are willing to
give up anything for the program and their team.
Ryan Leonardo: It's an important part, for sure. Ted Ginn
Sr. has done a brilliant job with developing the likes of Ginn and Smith. Without Ginn Sr., Tressel likely wouldn't have
landed all of that talent. It is almost strange how much talent comes out of
the Akron-Canton-Cleveland area.
Steve Patterson: The number of Glenville kids on the roster
is at eight with the addition of Jermil Martin and Shawntel Rowell this fall.
Next year should easily see the addition of two more super players in offensive
lineman Marcus Hall and defensive end Jonathan Newsome. At the most, Glenville
has been the single reason Coach Tressel has won Big 10 championships at Ohio State.
At the least, Glenville allows the Buckeyes to fill out classes that otherwise
would be undermanned.