As a fan, it certainly is difficult to prevent myself from dwelling on Ohio State's 2013 recruiting class and a spectacular signing day finish. However, the Buckeye coaching staff is having no problem accomplishing this, as they are playing host to a bevy of elite 2014 prospects this weekend. One to watch is 4-star offensive tackle Kyle Trout out of Lancaster High School (Lancaster, OH). His two-week-old Buckeye offer was certainly a big one for him; could Kyle be the next 2014 Buckeye verbal?
Addressing the need at both the offensive and defensive line, the staff issued an offer to 6-5, 270-pound defensive end Dylan Thompson out of Montini High School (Lombard, IL):
#OhioState has offered Core 6 Athlete OL/DL Dylan Thompson from Montini. #Buckeyes #CORE6
— Core 6 Athletes (@core6athletes) February 7, 2013
Thompson is a part of Core 6 Athletes, a group of elite mentors and former athletes committed to "providing athletes with the necessary resources to achieve their athletic goals through elite physical training and personalized mental guidance." Core 6 Athletes also holds an event called the "Core 6 Showcase." The next Core 6 Showcase takes place on Sunday, February 17th from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Rivers Edge Indoor Sports in Cincinnati, Ohio. Several 2014 Buckeye targets will partake in this showcase, including the aforementioned Thompson, 4-star linebacker Clifton Garrett, and 4-star offensive lineman Jamarco Jones:
#Buckeyes targets Clifton Garrett, Jamarco Jones and Dylan Thompson will all compete next week in Cincinnati next Sunday. #CORE6Showcase
— Core 6 Athletes (@core6athletes) February 7, 2013
Unfortunately Buckeye recruiting news early this morning isn't all positive, as rumored weekend visitors Drake Harris and Marcelys Jones will not, in fact, be making the trip to Columbus. Harris told me that he won't be visiting Columbus until after his high school basketball season is over. He's only a 4-star basketball prospect in addition to being a 4-star wide receiver prospect, so I guess that's acceptable. Jones, on the other hand, will be visiting another Big Ten school instead of Ohio State. After receiving an Illini offer this past Wednesday, Jones told me that he decided to make a trip to Champaign, Illinois this weekend.
Two other midwest Buckeye targets receiving additional national attention include 4-star offensive tackle Jamarco Jones (visiting this weekend) and 4-star defensive end Lawrence Marshall:
Chicago De LaSalle Top50 OT Jamarco Jones says he was offered by #Maryland.247sports.com/Player/Jamarco…
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) February 7, 2013
RT @tremendousum: Southfield (MI) DE Lawrence Marshall tells me he's been offered by #Tennessee
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) February 7, 2013
Along the basketball front, the Buckeye coaching staff seems to be pursuing a point guard to add to the 2014 class. 4-star Kaleb Joseph, out of Cushing Academy (Nashua, NH), updated our Charles Doss on his recruitment:
2014 PG Kaleb Joseph tells me #OhioState has been showing interest. Joseph said, he is in contact with Coach Jent about 3 times a week.
— Charles Doss (@CDoss_LGHL) February 7, 2013