Ohio State recruiting: Kieffer Longson, '15 OT, talks OSU, process

Ohio State will likely end up with five offensive linemen in the 2014 recruiting class and are already looking to add a couple more in the 2015 recruiting cycle, though we might not see a repeat of five.

Urban Meyer, with the help of offensive line coach Ed Warinner, have done an excellent job of evaluation and offering offensive linemen, so it should be no surprise that they were the first to extend a scholarship offer to San Ramon (CA) Dougherty Valley offensive tackle Kieffer Longon, who is one of the best in the 2015 recruiting class.

Despite living almost completely across the country from Columbus, the 6'7, 290-pound offensive tackle is very excited about the Buckeyes early in his recruitment.

"It's really nice to know my name has gotten out so far," Longson said. "Apparently it was Ohio State's bye week so the coaches were able to evaluate my tape and felt comfortable offering me," he said about receiving an Ohio State offer a month or so ago.

"It was actually my dad they called to say they had offered," he continued. "I believe Coach Warinner called him and told him they were ready to offer me."

The second team to extend an offer Kieffer's way was Florida State, the 2014 national champions. Obviously most recruits are very excited to get offered by the Seminoles as there's a lot of buzz surrounding there program thanks to an extremely successful 2013 season lead by star quarterback Jameis Winston.

"I think it's awesome to have the opportunity to play there. They're definitely in my top ten," he told Land-Grant Holy Land. "I haven't narrowed anything down yet, but it I had a top ten today, they'd definitely be in it," Longson clarified.

Longson has been in close contact with coaching staffs from many different schools, including the Ohio State and offensive line coach Ed Warinner.

"I've gotten to talk to Ohio State offensive line coach Ed Warinner a couple of times, I really enjoy talking to him," he continued. "I've also had a fair amount of communication with coaches from Cal, USC, and a couple of other schools over Facebook."

Longson is planning on going on a couple of different recruiting trips in the coming months, but hasn't set any dates for potential college visits.

"We're probably going to go on a couple of different trips," he said. "One will be to the Midwest to check out schools like Ohio State, one to the south to check out the Florida schools, including Florida State, then a third one to west coast schools that are a little closer to home."

As we mentioned earlier, Longson doesn't have any top schools at this point in his recruitment, but doesn't have some plans as far as a decision date.

"It would be really nice to have everything wrapped up before the season starts, but there's always the chance I won't be ready and will take official visits," he told Land-Grant Holy Land. "You only get to go through this once, so it's important I make the right choice," he added.

When he sits down with his family to make his decision sometime down the road, there are a couple of main factors that will go into his decision.

"My degree and the football program will be very important," he said. "Someone was telling me to take a visit to a Wednesday practice since that's not as exciting as the Saturday game. Going to the game is exciting almost every place you visit, but something like a Wednesday practice isn't."

Kieffer's dad also had a comment on the education side of his son's college decision.

"Getting a degree from a good school is very important," he said. "It would be great to have an opportunity in the NFL, but the odds are stacked against that, so education is extremely important. The best thing that comes out of recruiting is getting a free education."

Interestingly enough, his dad lived near Canton, Ohio at one point in his life, so he's interesting in going to visit the Midwest schools that are interested in Kieffer.

I don't expect a decision anytime soon, but I think the Buckeyes have put themselves in a pretty good position early in his recruitment.

If you haven't seen him in action, make sure to check out some impressive highlights from his junior season below: