Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets, 5/1 - Nate Craig update

In the world of recruiting, it is never too earlier to get started. Urban Meyer and Ohio State proved as much Tuesday, dishing out an offer to another 2016 prospect.

'16 ATH Nate Craig from Pasco High School (FL) became the latest to pick up an Ohio State offer Tuesday afternoon. Craig is the second prospect offered by the Buckeyes in the 2016 class with the first being Nick Bosa from St. Thomas Aquinas (FL), brother of '13 commit Joey Bosa. LGHL's own Charles Doss caught up with the talented sophomore to get his reaction and possible visit plans:

"Coach Drayton told me about the offer. It feels good to be offered by a high caliber team like OSU. I'm blessed to have an opportunity to get offered by a team I love to watch play. I'm not sure yet about when I'll visit, but I'm going to try to get up there soon."

Goods news for Urban Meyer and Ohio State as '14 DE Jalyn Holmes told Rivals ($) that three schools in particular are standing out to him; North Carolina, Florida State and Ohio State all have the inside track to land the talented Defensive End.

As we all know, Meyer and staff love the talent in the Peach State, as they have already handed out 16 offers to prospects in the state of Georgia per Rivals.com. On Tuesday, the Buckeyes went to visit one of those targets, 14 CB D.J. Smith from Walton High School (GA). The Buckeyes will likely have to fend off the Tennessee Volunteers for his services:

Ohio state and GT coaches came by today 👌

— ¡VeintiUNO! (@DJ_Smith_smith) April 30, 2013

Ohio State's Tim Hinton made a stop to Bowling Green High School (KY) to visit '14 WR Nacarius Fant. Fant is rated as the seventh best player in the state of Kentucky and holds offers from the Fighting Illini and the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky with interest from many BCS schools as well. Charles came through again, as Fant told him what the visit was about:

"My coach told me they want me at camp and there was a big chance I get an offer out of that, so I will attend it."

Hearing Luke Fickell was at Cleveland Benedictine earlier to see recently offered 2015 RB/LB Jerome Baker

— Charles Doss (@CDoss_LGHL) April 30, 2013

'15 ATH Jerome Baker from Cleveland Benedictine (OH) has been blowing up as of late, receiving offers from Florida, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Louisville, Ohio State and Penn State all within the past nine days. As Baker looks to be one of the top players in Ohio for the 2015 class, it was important for the Buckeyes to get in on him early. They were the first team to extend an offer with five others quickly following. Baker has a visit scheduled to Michigan on May 4th.

The '14 QB conversation continues with the recent news of Deshaun Watson said to be ending his recruitment and remaining committed to Clemson. As things look to be trending up for '14 QB Brandon Harris and his possibility of receiving an Ohio State offer, the Buckeyes are keeping their eyes open. Bill Kurelic says '14 QB Zack Darlington from Apopka High School (FL) will get his chance to make a case for an Ohio State offer tomorrow as he will throw in front of offensive coordinator Tom Herman.

With Ohio State starting safeties C.J. Barnett and Christian Bryant both departing after this season, it is increasingly important for the Buckeyes to add another safety into the fold for the 2014 class. News broke yesterday that Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Everett Withers made a stop to Georgia last Friday to visit '14 safety Cortez McDowell. Given the significant role Withers played in landing Vonn Bell this past February, it'll be awfully hard to count out the Buckeyes.