'08 OH DL Dawawn Whitner

[wadc45]

Referring to my post on the previous page:

Since I am unlikely to get a response I will go ahead and tell you that Illinibat's info is incorrect. Not only was Dawan himself quoted as saying he had a visit scheduled but I confirmed with the recruiting office that he was in fact scheduled to visit OSU. The visit did not/has not taken place as of yet and is unlikely to at this point...

[wadc45]

Guess I am not going to get a response from Illinibat...

BN $

1/24

By BN...Coach Johnson was at Glenville this week and met with Dawawn. Waiting on his test score to see if OSU will release the schollie they are holding. If not, he says he will likely accept the offer from Illinois.

[Orange&Blue]

If that test score isn't what OSU was hoping for, it won't be good enough for Illinois either.

[lopo89]

Originally Posted by wadc45

Guess I am not going to get a response from Illinibat...

BN $

1/24

By BN...Coach Johnson was at Glenville this week and met with Dawawn. Waiting on his test score to see if OSU will release the schollie they are holding. If not, he says he will likely accept the offer from Illinois.

This surprises me on two levels. I didnt know that OSU was going to give him a schollie, seems like a backup plan to a higher level recruit. Also, im not sure if Illinois would accept his commitment. THey have about three schollies left and if they land bigger fish, would they take Whitner. If they dont land the bigger fish, would they bank the schollies for '09 stacked class or take WHitner?

[illinidarrin]

Originally Posted by lopo89

This surprises me on two levels. I didnt know that OSU was going to give him a schollie, seems like a backup plan to a higher level recruit. Also, im not sure if Illinois would accept his commitment. THey have about three schollies left and if they land bigger fish, would they take Whitner. If they dont land the bigger fish, would they bank the schollies for '09 stacked class or take WHitner?

the "bigger fish" is starting to dry up for us right now. I think Tate will go elsewhere and i am not getting a good feeling about Harper.

[wadc45]

Keep in mind you are only hearing Dawawn's side of things. I am not accusing him of fabricating but sometimes recruits misconstrue certain things as a solid or conditional offer. Also, it is my understanding he not only needs a better test score but also need to raise his GPA. The offers from Illinois and OSU are likely contingent upong certain criteria being met and how realistic it is of that happening is anyone's guess.

My personal take on things is that I would be surprise to see him sign with either on NLOID...

If Whitner had the grades you would be hearing a lot more about him...he is a phenomenal talent...almost as highly regarded as his brother by professional evaluators. No senior DL in the entire state can claim they come off the ball faster that Dawawn. His problem is size...he lacks the frame and/or size to be a Big 10 DE and would have to play overweight to be a DT, which would negate his biggest asset...his speed.

EDIT: I guess Illinibat would rather take this discussion over to BuckeyePlanet...

[Illinibat]

I guess I'm not allowed to post on Buckeyeplanet.com.

[Orange&Blue]

Originally Posted by Illinibat

I guess I'm not allowed to post on Buckeyeplanet.com.

Only pro-Buckeye posts are allowed over there.

[ThaKid101]

Really disappointed Dawaan did not get his stuff together. Hopefully he can go somewhere or be placed somewhere (Prep, JUCO) by Illinois and can come back...

[Illinibat]

Well if you read the crap being posted on Bucknuts and Buckeyeplanet it makes it sound like Ohio State is just waiting to see if Whitner passes academically and then, and only then, will they offer.

OTHERWISE -- he'll just settle on Illinois, right?

What a crock!

Truth is -- Illinois isn't likely recruiting him anymore because he couldn't get his stuff together academically. His ride has already been given to another player. Illinois also isn't going to be a fall back plan for anyone. Ohio State is taking the guys like Rowell that we turned down.

If you want to look at 'reality,' it is Ohio State that looks a little thin at defensive tackle and it looks like they are getting desperate because they haven't been able to recruit guys like Brent, McCray, Liuget and Ellis the last few years.

I can't wait for 2009 now.
Looks like Zook will be going head-to-head with Tressel for almost ALL of our and their big recruits.

And I think anyone who has a grasp of reality away from Buckeyeland realizes who is going to end up on top of that battle.

[wadc45]

First and last time I respond to a post such as this, but since my new Illini friends have not come to my support (you know who you are ) I feel a little forced to defend myself (being one the founders of this site and a senior moderator at BP):

Well if you read the crap being posted on Bucknuts and Buckeyeplanet it makes it sound like Ohio State is just waiting to see if Whitner passes academically and then, and only then, will they offer.

I plead ignorance because I have never said anything remotely like that nor have I suggested that he would "settle" for Illinois if an OSU offer did not materialize...I did suggest many months ago that I thought Illinois would be a good fit because they were an early offer of his (among the 50+ offers he received) and he clearly favored Illinois for a large part of the Summer and Fall. I clearly stated in my post in this thread just yesterday that I would be surprised if he signed with either school. I cannot speak for the rest of the Buckeye fanbase but was rather trying to engage you in converation after you alluded to the fact that I or any other member of BP was intentionally leaking misinformation. I also attempted to discuss this matter directly with you via PMs but you obviously would rather air the dirty laundry.

Ohio State is taking the guys like Rowell that we turned down.

Sure...Illinois passed on Rowell like OSU passed on the likes of Ashante Williams, Whitney Mercilus and Justin Staples this year. You seem to forget that Rowell was one of the most highly touted juniors at the Army combine this time last year and still had an offer from Illinois and made an official visit to Champaign before choosing OSU. But I guess the Illinois staff only offered him and had him on an official to get Cordale Scott, right?

Count how many 2008 OSU verbals had offers from Illinois and how many 2008 Illinois verbals had offers from OSU and get back to me.

If you want to look at 'reality,' it is Ohio State that looks a little thin at defensive tackle and it looks like they are getting desperate because they haven't been able to recruit guys like Brent, McCray, Liuget and Ellis the last few years.

Returning DTs with playing experience: Nader Abdallah, Todd Denlinger, Dexter Larimore, Robert Rose, Doug Worthington
'08-'09 verbals at DT: Garrett Goebel, Shawntel Rowell, Johnny Simon

I fail to see how the OSU program looks a "little thin" at DT. But that is your opinion and you are certainly entitled to it.

Looks like Zook will be going head-to-head with Tressel for almost ALL of our and their big recruits.

Possibly a handful...hardly "ALL". I will admit OSU stands little chance for athletes such as Kraig Appleton and Craig Drummond. Kids that Illinois and OSU will likely battle for include Marcus Hall and Chris Watt. The majority of the '09 verbals for both schools will be made up of kids who either had an offer from one or the other. So far in '09 OSU has won one battle (Johnny Simon) and Illinois has won the other (Melvin Fellows).

And I think anyone who has a grasp of reality away from Buckeyeland realizes who is going to end up on top of that battle.

Luckily my conversations with Illinois fans up until this point have been insightful and constructive...obviously this conversation is headed down a different path. It's ironic that even the more informed Illinois posters in this forum agree that he would have made a great addition to either program...but then again you have probably seen more live games and film of Dawawn than the rest of us.

I certainly cannot defend the whole of the OSU fanbase...but I can also tell when someone is wearing O&B colored glasses. I understand where you have taken exception with Bucknuts (especially in the case of Lamaar Thomas' announcement)...but if you have a problem with BuckeyePlanet, we can always fix that.

[ThaKid101]

Originally Posted by wadc45

First and last time I respond to a post such as this, but since my new Illini friends have not come to my support (you know who you are ) I feel a little forced to defend myself (being one the founders of this site and a senior moderator at BP):



I plead ignorance because I have never said anything remotely like that nor have I suggested that he would "settle" for Illinois if an OSU offer did not materialize...I did suggest many months ago that I thought Illinois would be a good fit because they were an early offer of his (among the 50+ offers he received) and he clearly favored Illinois for a large part of the Summer and Fall. I clearly stated in my post in this thread just yesterday that I would be surprised if he signed with either school. I cannot speak for the rest of the Buckeye fanbase but was rather trying to engage you in converation after you alluded to the fact that I or any other member of BP was intentionally leaking misinformation. I also attempted to discuss this matter directly with you via PMs but you obviously would rather air the dirty laundry.



Sure...Illinois passed on Rowell like OSU passed on the likes of Ashante Williams, Whitney Mercilus and Justin Staples this year. You seem to forget that Rowell was one of the most highly touted juniors at the Army combine this time last year and still had an offer from Illinois and made an official visit to Champaign before choosing OSU. But I guess the Illinois staff only offered him and had him on an official to get Cordale Scott, right?

Count how many 2008 OSU verbals had offers from Illinois and how many 2008 Illinois verbals had offers from OSU and get back to me.



Returning DTs with playing experience: Nader Abdallah, Todd Denlinger, Dexter Larimore, Robert Rose, Doug Worthington
'08-'09 verbals at DT: Garrett Goebel, Shawntel Rowell, Johnny Simon

I fail to see how the OSU program looks a "little thin" at DT. But that is your opinion and you are certainly entitled to it.



Possibly a handful...hardly "ALL". I will admit OSU stands little chance for athletes such as Kraig Appleton and Craig Drummond. Kids that Illinois and OSU will likely battle for include Marcus Hall and Chris Watt. The majority of the '09 verbals for both schools will be made up of kids who either had an offer from one or the other. So far in '09 OSU has won one battle (Johnny Simon) and Illinois has won the other (Melvin Fellows).



Luckily my conversations with Illinois fans up until this point have been insightful and constructive...obviously this conversation is headed down a different path. It's ironic that even the more informed Illinois posters in this forum agree that he would have made a great addition to either program...but then again you have probably seen more live games and film of Dawawn than the rest of us.

I certainly cannot defend the whole of the OSU fanbase...but I can also tell when someone is wearing O&B colored glasses. I understand where you have taken exception with Bucknuts (especially in the case of Lamaar Thomas' announcement)...but if you have a problem with BuckeyePlanet, we can always fix that.

I think you're refering to me wad...my bad. Don't know what I'm supposed to say though. Stop the arguing?

[HotMic]

Scout $

2/5

From the MSU site. Whitner can not take any visits until he gets his grades in order, which he has not yet. Ohio State, Michigan State, Illinois, West Virginia and Minnesota make up his top five.