Buckeyes sign 23 players to fill void left by seniors

OSU will lose 26 seniors who were the core of the 2002 national-title team.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- After losing the heart and soul of the national championship team from 2002, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel picked up numerical replacements -- 23 of them, with two more on the way in March -- Wednesday on the first day for the signing of national letters of intent.
"We lost a large senior class so there were a number of spots to fill and needs to take care of," Tressel said of the 26 departing seniors that followed the national title with an 11-2 record and another Fiesta Bowl victory in 2003.
The recruits included acclaimed defensive back Ted Ginn Jr. of Cleveland's Glenville High School, along with two running backs, one quarterback and four players from Pennsylvania.
Ohio State loses its top two quarterbacks (Craig Krenzel and Scott McMullen), top two receivers (Michael Jenkins and Ben Hartsock) and six starters on offense and six on defense from the bowl game.
Ginn No. 1 in nation
Ginn, selected as USA Today's top defensive player in the nation, is also a track standout with burning speed. The two running backs are Erik Haw of Columbus Independence and Florida native Dennis Kennedy, and the quarterback is a holdover from last year's recruiting class, Todd Boeckman of St. Henry.
"We feel this is an outstanding group," Tressel said. "Where will it be ranked? We don't put a whole bunch of time and effort into thinking into that."
The four players taken out of Pennsylvania were the first since 1995.
Tressel said he expected two other players to commit to the team. Ohio State withdrew scholarship offers to two other players -- wide receivers Da'Juan Morgan of Palm Beach, Fla., and Miles Williams of Austintown Fitch -- in recent weeks.