Ohio State recruiting: Drew Richmond, '15 OT talks OSU, his process

Urban Meyer the Buckeyes already have already landed four offensive linemen commitments in the 2014 recruiting class and will likely add one more to the mix in the coming weeks.

They're also looking at a lot of offensive linemen in the 2015 class, where one of their top targets is Memphis (TN) University School offensive tackle Drew Richmond. The 6-foot-5-inch, 300 pound tackle has had a lot of contact with the Buckeyes over the duration of his recruitment.

"I talk to Ohio State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and North Carolina on the regular," he said. "I've also talked to Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, and a couple of other schools."

He was offered by the Bucks very early in the recruiting process, back in March of 2013 and have already hosted him on campus on two separate occasions.

"Coach Hinton is my main recruiter, we're really close. I love that guy," he told Land-Grant Holy Land. "I've also talked to the Coach Warinner, the offensive line coach a few times. He just tells me that I would fit great at OSU and that he really wants me to be a Buckeye."

Richmond has also had a lot of contact with Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and has developed a very good relationship with him too as they at least once every week.

"Coach Meyer and I talk every week, we even talked before I went to school today," he continued. "He just told me to have a good day at school and jokingly asked if I was ready to commit. He said they would accept my commitment whenever I was ready, if I decided Ohio State was the best place for me."

"It's awesome getting to know him, I really like him," he told Land-Grant Holy Land. "People at my school and my friends think it's really cool that I get to talk to him so much, but it's starting to become pretty normal for me just because I've gotten to talk with him so many times."

The standout offensive tackle has made it to Columbus two times, once for a summer camp and most recently for the Ohio State-Wisconsin game, which was near the end of September. He really enjoyed his experience and the atmosphere at the night game.

"It was really amazing being there to watch the Buckeyes play Wisconsin, one of the premier programs in the Big Ten under the lights," he continued. "It was great being around the players and the atmosphere at the game with over 100,000 people was awesome."

In addition to visiting Ohio State in the fall, he made trips to in-state Tennessee and Ole Miss. He feels very comfortable at both of the SEC schools.

"Both of those visits went really great. I feel about the same with Tennessee and Ole Miss. I'm really comfortable with both schools," he said. "I'm really cool with everyone on the team at those schools because they're so close to home and I also know a lot of people from Memphis who go to those schools."

There are a couple of visits he would like to take in the coming months, including one he has already scheduled to SEC power Auburn.

"Right now I know I'm going to be at Auburn on February 1st," he continued. "I also want to get out and see Florida, Florida State, Clemson, Miami, Oklahoma, and a few other schools.

He's planning on taking another unofficial visit to Ohio State, but he's not sure when that's going to take place. However, he definitely knows when he wants to take his official visit to Columbus.

"I'm not sure right now, (he said of his next OSU visit) I definitely want to make it to Ohio State again, but I'm not sure when I'll be there next," he told Land-Grant Holy Land. "I know I'll be at the Ohio State-Michigan game next season though."

When he goes on his un-official and official visits, there are only a couple of things he is looking for, but both are very important in his eventual decision.

"That's a good question. I look for a couple of things," he said. "Just the academic and the general feel I get from the school if that makes sense."

There are also a couple of big factors that will go into his decision when it comes to the football program as a whole.

"Early playing time and the coaching staff," he continued. "Just my relationships with everyone on the coaching staff, the players, and stuff like that."

Richmond hasn't narrowed he choices yet and does not publicly have a leader. He doesn't really have a timetable to make and announce a decision either, though he doesn't want his recruitment to last too long.

He is already one of the top offensive linemen in the 2015 recruiting class according to almost every major recruiting service, but there are still a couple of things he would like to improve in between now and the beginning of his senior season.

"I just need to continue to improve my run blocking and pass blocking," he told Land-Grant Holy Land. "I also want to improve my footwork."

I currently have Richmond projected to be in Ohio State's 2015 class, but in-state Tennessee and Ole Miss will give the Bucks a run for their money.