:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/23720711/mavety.0.jpg)
The Buckeyes haven't had a home game in nearly a month, but that changes Saturday when the Buckeyes take on Indiana at 3:30 in Ohio Stadium. While the slate of prospects set to visit for the game isn't nearly as impressive as the ones the Buckeyes had when they hosted Wisconsin and Penn State, there are still a couple of very important recruits set to be in Columbus for Saturday's game.
Today we're going to discuss the top players lined up to be in Columbus for a visit this weekend.
One weekend visitor stands out above the rest in the form of Garden City (NY) Sparta junior college offensive tackle Chad Mavety, who is the top remaining offensive line target on Ohio State's recruiting board.
Mavety is the only player visiting OSU officially this weekend. He took a visit to Florida State a couple of weeks ago and things reportedly went pretty well for the 6-foot-7-inch, 320 pound offensive tackle. The Bucks and Noles are definitely the top two teams for Mavety and he should decide between the two shortly after taking his visit to Columbus this weekend.
I still think Mavety is going to end up playing his college football for the Buckeyes, but it's not quite a done deal. This weekend's visit could make a huge difference in terms of helping wrap the race up in favor of the Scarlet and Gray. 66% of participants on the 247Sports Crystal Ball have him projected to OSU, while 33% think he'll end up playing for the Seminoles.
Next up is Cleveland (OH) Benedictine athlete Jerome Baker, who is one of the top players in the state of Ohio's 2015 recruiting class. I think the Buckeyes hold a pretty big lead here, with the only competition maybe coming from Penn State. However, I'm very comfortable projecting Baker to be in this class. I think the big question is when he'll decide to pull the trigger.
Excited to see what Buckeye Nation is all about this weekend!
— Chad Mavety (@chadmavety55) November 18, 2013
Another big visitor is Pittsburgh (PA) Baldwin offensive tackle Sterling Jenkins. The massive 6-foot-8-inch, 305 pound tackle is one of the top offensive linemen in the 2015 class. Many think he's a Michigan lean as things currently stand in his recruitment. I'm in the minority that think the Bucks have a pretty solid chance at landing Jenkins, though. This weekend's visit could go a long way towards Ohio State's chances.
Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood tight end/wide receiver Van Jefferson is another elite junior expected on campus. I have him projected to Ohio State and I think this weekend's visit could further the increase the Buckeyes' current hold for the 6-foot-3-inch, 180 pound standout. He doesn't have blazing speed, so hopefully he can put on some weight and play tight end at the college level.
2015 WR Van Jefferson to visit #OhioState this weekend
— Derek Young (@DYoungScout) November 20, 2013
The last 2015 visitor we're going to touch on is Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier linebacker Justin Hilliard. He has taken multiple trips to Columbus this fall, but I still think the Buckeyes have some ground to make up on Iowa, Michigan, and Notre Dame. This is going to be a pretty tough battle for the Bucks to win.
Finally, 2017 Massillon (OH) Washington quarterback Danny Clark will be at yet another Buckeye game. The 6-foot-4-inch, 205 pound signal caller is already a strong Buckeye lean.
To wrap up the week, here are my latest predictions to how Ohio State will close out their 2014 recruiting class:
1. ATH Marshon Lattimore
2. S Erick Smith
3. ILB Raekwon McMillan
4. OT Chad Mavety
5. DE Solomon Thomas
6. WR Johnnie Dixon
7. DT Terrell Clinkscales
Courtesy of 247Sports' outstanding new Class Calculator, that would give the Buckeyes an aggregate class score of 301.24 with McMillan, Thomas, and Lattimore representing the highest rated players in the 247Composite rankings in the class. Though it wouldn't quite match last year's otherworldly class, that kind of score could put the Buckeyes in position to finish ranked second or third best in the country once again.