Ohio State coaches always on the move in recruiting

Asked to describe his wildest day on the recruiting trail, Ohio State’s Kerry Coombs didn’t have to think long, and he couldn’t settle on one day. They blend together for coaches whose lives become a blur as national signing day nears.

“Right there toward the end, I know I got up at 3 o’clock in the morning in Columbus to drive to Indianapolis because the weather was really bad here,” said Coombs, a University of Dayton graduate who’s the cornerbacks and special teams coach for the Buckeyes.

“Fought the snow. Saw a bunch of guys spin out. Spent the day in Indianapolis. Drove from Indianapolis to Cincinnati. Got up at 3 a.m. the next day. Flew to Atlanta and then to Valdosta (Ga.). Went from Valdosta to Fort Lauderdale. Flew to Detroit. Was there overnight. Then the next day was back in Columbus for an official visit.”

Coombs knows he can’t let weather slow him. He saw the forecast for the day he drove to Indianapolis and rented a Suburban at the airport because he didn’t think his own car would make it through the snow.

“You have to be ahead of the game,” he said. “If school is closed you better find another town to be in. The calendar is too small. From the 15th of January to the 31st, there’s no way you can get everywhere. The only way to do it is really plan your time and be on the move.”

Every week during recruiting season is that hectic, Coombs said.

“Coach Meyer is really clear,” he said. “Finish your night in the airport. Take the last flight out. Be first at the school when it opens in the morning. That’s what we do. You’ve got a staff full of guys that are really grinders when it comes to recruiting. Because of that, they’re able to produce great classes.

“Recruiting is very hard. You’ve got to be present. You’ve got to be out there. You’ve got to be around 24 hours a day between Twitter and the phone calls and the communication with everyone involved. That’s what it takes.”

Injury updates: Meyer announced a trio of juniors might not play again for the Buckeyes because of injuries: cornerback Armani Reeves, linebacker Devan Bogard and defensive back Ron Tanner.

Reeves has battled concussion problems. Bogard has suffered three torn ACLs in his career. Tanner had a foot injury last season.

Team up north: Scout.com ranked Ohio State's class No. 1 in the Big Ten and seventh in the nation. It ranked Michigan's ninth in the Big Ten and 47th in the nation. Rivals.com ranked Michigan's class 13th out of 14 teams in the conference.

Meyer and his coaches kept an eye on everything new Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff did.

“We do keep score against the rival in everything we do,” Meyer said. “They’re great recruiters and always have been. The previous staff was great recruiters. That’s gone on long before us and will take place long after us.”

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