The dream of playing football for Ohio State became a reality for 23 young men yesterday as they signed letters of intent to play for coach Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes next season. Two more are expected to be added to the recruiting class in March, bringing the total to 25.

“I think it’s an extraordinary group of young men,” Tressel said. “The guys that have chosen Ohio State truly have a passion to be here.”

One of the “extraordinary young men” whose name is circled and starred by all recruiting experts is Ted Ginn Jr. from Glenville High School in Cleveland. Ginn was the USA Today Defensive Player of the Year and is rated as the No. 1 cornerback and No. 3 overall player by Tom Lemming of ESPN.com.

With the loss of Chris Gamble to the NFL, Ginn could have an immediate impact.

“He feels he can come in and compete for playing time, just like all these guys do, and our coaches feel the same way,” Tressel said. “We feel great about him coming.”

Co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Mel Tucker, who played an important role in recruiting Ginn, also spoke very highly of Ginn.

“He has tremendous ability and is really, really smart,” Tucker said. “He learns quick and will have a chance to show what he can do. He’ll be in there if he shows he can do it.”

Another highly rated recruit is Marcus Freeman of Huber Heights, Ohio. Freeman was a member of the USA Today All-USA second team and is rated as the No. 22 overall player by Lemming. Freeman is a linebacker who is said to have cornerback-type speed.

“Marcus Freeman is the fastest linebacker in the world,” Tressel said with a laugh.

Freeman is already enrolled at OSU and wants to play a role next season.

“Seeing the success of the other guys who (enrolled early), like Maurice Clarett, Donte Whitner and Ashton Youboty, you realize it can be done,” Freeman said. “My plan is to get on the field and make an impact this season.”

A third young man who has made a name for himself in recruiting circles is offensive lineman Kyle Mitchum. Mitchum, from Erie, Pa., was a member of the USA Today All-USA first team and is rated as the No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 50 overall player by Lemming.

Last year’s OSU team was filled with senior offensive linemen, whose absence creates a big hole on the offensive line.

“We feel real good about the guys we got up front,” Tressel said. “Kyle Mitchum came in, and we thought was a great catch.”

Along with Mitchum, OSU added Ben Person from Xenia, Ohio, Jon Skinner from Mount Caramel, Pa., and Steve Rehring from West Chester, Ohio to the offensive line.

Rehring, like Freeman and quarterback Todd Boeckman, is also already enrolled at OSU and plans to work hard for an opportunity to play next season.

“You can’t determine what will happen,” Rehring said. “Every freshman’s goal is to play as a true freshman, but if I have to redshirt and develop I will.”

Along with the offensive line being loaded with seniors last year, the team lost a lot of players to graduation.

“We had a large senior class, so therefore we had a number of holes to fill and needs to take care of,” Tressel said.

The graduation of Michael Jenkins left one of those holes at wide receiver. Two freshmen that will try to help returning players Santonio Holmes and Roy Hall fill that hole are Albert Dukes from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Devon Lyons of North Braddock, Pa. Tressel was very positive on Dukes and Lyons.

“Those guys are special,” Tressel said.

All in all, Tressel was very pleased with the efforts of his coaches and with the recruiting class put together by OSU.

“We had needs, our coaches went out there and met those needs,” Tressel said. “I think we met those needs with the right type of people, and we are anxious to see as each of (the recruits) takes the field – some earlier than others – where they can step in, what role they can play and how they can continue upholding the great tradition of Ohio State football.”