Meyer to Big Ten: Recruits are fair game

By Tim May

The Columbus Dispatch

Defying any would-be critics of his recruiting practices, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer told a group of high-school football coaches recently that he considers Ohio his recruiting turf and that he will work hard to protect it.

Bristling from a complaint by Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema that Meyer might have stepped over the line in getting some recruits to switch their commitments to the Buckeyes — including one player who previously said he was going to Wisconsin — Meyer told members of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association that he is only getting started.

“You’re [upset] because we went after a committed guy? Guess what? We’ve got nine guys [assistant coaches] who better go do it again and do it a little harder next time,” Meyer said.

Offensive lineman Kyle Dodson of Cleveland Heights flipped from Wisconsin to Ohio State. Other in-state players who did the same before signing with the Buckeyes were Taylor Deck of Vandalia (Notre Dame) and Se’Von Pittman of Canton (Michigan State).

Meyer took part in a previously scheduled meeting with nine other Big Ten football coaches and conference commissioner Jim Delany outside Chicago. One of the coaches present was Bielema, who also said he spoke to Meyer in December about an “illegal” tactic he thought Meyer had used.

After the meeting, Meyer issued a statement through Ohio State.

“We had an opportunity to discuss a number of issues with each other and conference staff, including those that have arisen,” Meyer said. “It should be noted that my coaching staff is in full compliance with our recruiting efforts, and no one on this staff did anything illegal or unethical. We will continue to comply with NCAA rules and recruit with relentless effort, especially the great state of Ohio.”

There was no statement from Bielema, but there was from his boss, Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez, who addressed the myth of a “gentleman’s agreement” among conference coaches that they don’t try to sway recruits who have committed to another league school.

“Recruiting is recruiting until they sign,” Alvarez told ESPN.com. “If we had somebody who changed their mind and came to us, that’s OK. Urban was very aggressive, but there is no pact within the conference not to continue to recruit. It’s open season until they sign.”