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The Buckeyes had one of the state's top 2015 prospects in for an unofficial visit Sunday as Cleveland Benedictine running back/linebacker Jerome Baker graced the Columbus campus with an appearance. Only a sophomore, Baker is already getting some attention from a few quality programs; the Buckeyes, Florida, Georgia Tech and Penn State are just a few to offer a full ride scholarship to the 6-1 205 pound Baker. Our own Bret Favachio caught up with Jerome to get a little dirt on his Ohio State visit:
"My experience at Ohio State was awesome. Great facilities, great atmosphere, it was a family feel. I talked to Coach Meyer a lot. He is a great coach, but most important he is a great person. The whole visit overall was wonderful."
Monday afternoon, the Ohio State staff offered 2014 Dallas, Texas native Corey Avery. The 5-10 180 pound speedster accounted for over 1000 yards from scrimmage and nearly 20 touchdowns last season at the running back position for his David W. Carter team. The Bucks aren't the only program after Avery's talents; Nebraska, West Virginia and Texas Tech are all on the list of current offers Corey holds – and you can expect this list to grow in the very near future. Bret also caught up with Avery to pick his brain on the big time offer:
"I mean, Ohio State has always been at the top of my list because I have always liked them. But I was just very amazed, speechless, and excited about the offer."
To see what the three star Avery could potentially bring to the Bucks, check out these highlights.
Ohio State also sent out an offer to 2015 Jacksonville, Florida quarterback De'Andre Johnson. The 6-0 185 pound First Coast High baller is currently a Florida State commit but seems to add scholarship offers almost daily. Don't let his small size fool you; Johnson has thrown for over 4800 yards and 80 touchdowns during his high school career so far. From the sound of things, the Seminoles and Buckeyes might have their hands full with this one.
New offers 4 2015 QB De'Andre Johnson of Jacksonville (FL) First Coast from Vandy, Tenn, L'ville, FIU, Ohio St, Iowa St, Miami, Auburn, UGA
— Ryan Bartow (@RyanBartow) May 7, 2013
Avery and Johnson aren't the only talented recruits to receive an offer from Ohio State in the last few days. Jared Tucker, a 5-11 175 pound defensive back out of Stone Mountain, Georgia, received his scholarship from OSU over the weekend. Rated a three star recruit by 247Sports.com, Louisville, Indiana, Vanderbilt, Miami and South Carolina are just a few of the other schools the Buckeyes will have to battle it out with for Tucker. I had the opportunity to chat with Tucker on how the whole Buckeye offer went down:
"My coach from Stephenson informed me that Ohio State was offering. I'm really happy and honored to receive an offer from Ohio State. I spoke with Coach Withers Sunday night and he just said he had seen my film and really liked it. He thinks I'll be a good addition to the team and thinks he could make me a special player"
You might be aware of Kyle Allen, Brandon Harris and Zach Darlington, the three talented class of 2014 quarterbacks the Buckeyes offered scholarships to last week. But you might not be aware of one 2014 signal caller the staff has just started contacting. Stephen Collier a 6-3 210 pound Leesburg, Georgia native, already has offers from lower tier FBS programs such as Marshall, Middle Tennessee State and Troy, but is starting to find himself on some BCS programs' radar after passing for nearly 1800 yards and racking up over 30 total touchdowns last season for Lee Country High. I spoke with Collier on his newly started Buckeye recruitment and this is what he had to say:
"I talked to Coach Herman on Saturday. Coach just said that he'd heard about me and watched my film and that he is interested. They'll be coming down to see me soon during our spring practice and I may or may not be coming to camp; I have to work my schedule out."
Another 2014 recruit the Buckeyes have been showing interest in is El Cerrito High School (California) defensive back Adarius Pickett. Pickett, a four-star prospect according to 247sports, has offers from nearly all the top west coast programs including USC, Stanford and UCLA. After an impressive performance at the Los Angeles Rivals camp over the weekend, the 5-11 175 pound Pickett could be soon adding more schools to his already strong list of potential homes.
#Miami #Oregon #OhioState all showing new interest in four-star CB Adarius Pickett, who shined at @rivalscamp in LA
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) May 6, 2013
Monday evening, 2014 New Orleans John Curtis High defensive back Mattrell McGraw announced he will name his top three school's on the Fourth of July. The 6-0 185 McGraw has a hard task in the coming months at hand, needing to winnow down his list to three teams from a rather lengthy list of potential suitors. Ohio State, UCLA, Oregon, Alabama and Arkansas are amongst those in the running.
#OhioState target, 2014 DB Mattrell McGraw RT @mattrellmcgraw I'm naming my top 3 on July 4th ..
— Charles Doss (@CDoss_LGHL) May 7, 2013