Ohio State already has 24 names in the bank for its 2009 football class, but action on the recruiting front has only gotten more intense. As the Buckeyes head into their last two days of pre-Fiesta Bowl practice before taking a break for Christmas, they still are in the running for at least four upper-echelon prospects. Chief among them are quarterback Tajh Boyd of Hampton, Va., and offensive lineman Marcus Hall of Cleveland.

The Buckeyes also are actively pursuing blue-chippers in defensive lineman Corey Adams of Scottsdale, Ariz., and receiver Marlon Brown of Memphis, Tenn.

But the Buckeyes need a top-rated lineman such as Hall, of Glenville High School. And with just two scholarship quarterbacks slated to return from this year's team -- freshman starter Terrelle Pryor and redshirt freshman Joe Bauserman -- they also need a

quarterback, especially one with the running/throwing talents of Boyd.

Boyd took an official visit to Oregon during the weekend, one week after doing the same at Ohio State.

"I feel right now the two schools are kind of even with him, but we'll know more once he gets back from Oregon," his father, Tim, said last night.

What Tim Boyd knew for sure was his son "really liked everything about Ohio State, from the players to the coaches to the facilities to the stadium to the school."

That Tajh Boyd even is on the market is a bit of a surprise. He committed to West Virginia, then changed his mind after watching the Mountaineers change their offensive approach. Boyd next committed to Tennessee but then was told by new coach Lane Kiffin that the Volunteers intend to move toward a pro-style offense that probably did not suit Boyd's talents.

"I guess I was a little surprised that Ohio State immediately jumped into the top two or three on his list, but at the same time, you have to credit the coaching staff and you also have to credit the Terrelle Pryor factor," said veteran recruiting analyst Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts.com. "Tajh Boyd saw Terrelle running the same kind of offense for which Boyd seems to be well-suited."

Oregon has been running that scheme for a while. Boyd plans to announce his choice on Jan. 3 during the Army High School All-American Game in San Antonio.

Hall, meanwhile, said last night that his top three, in no particular order, are Ohio State, Illinois and the University of Miami. He also said he intends to visit LSU, Illinois, Miami and Tennessee in January.

"I always wanted to take all of my official visits," said Hall, who visited Ohio State a weekend ago. "I already have a good read on Ohio State. I wanted to get out there and look at the different schools for myself, because I need to make the decision I think is best for me."

One look at the Buckeyes' depth on the offensive line tells him that OSU would be a land of immediate opportunity.

"I know nothing is ever just given to you, but I think my chances are really good to play early at Ohio State," Hall said.

Considering that Adams and Brown are rated as four-star prospects by Rivals.com, their chances of making an early impact wherever they go are good. Kurelic thinks Adams will have a three-way tug of war among OSU, Southern California and Arizona State, though the Buckeyes being in the Phoenix area from Dec. 29 through their Jan. 5 Fiesta Bowl date against Texas might help.

Brown lists Tennessee, OSU, Georgia, Florida and LSU as his top five, in no particular order, "but in the end I think it's going to be tough to beat Tennessee," Kurelic said.