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Tuesday, December 31
 
'Canes, Buckeyes battling for same recruits

By Bruce Feldman
ESPN The Magazine

While many experts are predicting a Miami blowout Friday, Ohio State is holding its own in another big game with the 'Canes -- in the recruiting battles this winter. At least, the Buckeyes are thus far.

As always, the Bucks have tried to tap into the South Florida talent pool just like everyone else, but now, more than ever, the 'Canes are trying to return the favor by venturing into Buckeye Country.

"It's a good year in Ohio, especially with (Donte) Whitner and (Dareus) Hiley both looking like corners who could be big-timers," says one Big Ten coach. "There's a great QB (ND commit Brady Quinn), a few very good D-linemen, a great outside 'backer (Prescott Burgess) and probably the best tight end in the country (Louis Irizarry)."

Miami, which did land OLB-DE Antonio Reynolds out of Akron last winter, is pursuing both Cleveland cover men and has attacked the area harder than ever. However, Whitner and Hiley both committed to OSU just before Christmas. (The 'Canes reportedly are only looking to sign one DB, and Whitner, the faster of the two, was believed to be higher on the wish list.)

The Buckeyes also are looking good with DT David Patterson and Youngstown's Louis Irizarry, who verballed to OSU earlier this fall. But last week, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound tight end says he was intrigued after his visit to UM by the environment and the team's camaraderie. Irizarry, who is being recruited by Miami DB coach Mark Stoops -- a Youngstown native -- is still leaning to Ohio State.

OSU, though, hasn't had as much success in the Sunshine State.

The 'Canes beat Ohio State for Brian Monroe, who the Buckeyes were hoping would replace all-American punter Andy Groom. UM also got a verbal from Ft. Lauderdale's Tavares Gooden, a blue-chip OLB who had visited Columbus just two days before pledging to Miami. Last week, the 'Canes got the green light from the top two O-linemen in talent-drenched Broward County when Ely High's Cyrim Wimbs, a 6-4, 325-pound OT, and Andrew Bain, a 6-4, 345-pound guard with a 4.0 GPA, both verballed to UM.

But the battle on the national front figures to play out well after the national title game is waged. The marquee targets: Illinois DL Lawrence Dampeer, Maryland LB Wesley Jefferson and New Jersey DE Turk McBride. Word is both Dampeer and Jefferson are well aware they could have the shot to be impact guys next fall at Miami and may be swayed to Coral Gables. McBride, being recruited by 'Canes D-line coach Greg Mark, also a South Jersey guy, could be lured by Miami's need for D-linemen next year.

Buckeye assistant Mark Snyder, though, did have success working the Garden State in his days coaching at Minnesota and is usually hard to beat in Jersey. Although with Miami losing its top four DEs to graduation, that's a pretty enticing sight for prospective pass rushers.

"Miami's the 'cool school' right now," says one recruiter. "Kids want to go there because it has the weather, the night life and it is a player's program. And they are winning everything. That's hard to beat. The good thing is they can't sign everybody."

The other good thing, for OSU, is they can make a big statement Friday if they can knock off the defending champs.

Bruce Feldman covers college football for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at bruce.feldman@espnmag.com.







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