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Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets, 11/12 - Branden Bowen on commit watch

Will the Elite '15 grow again soon? OT prospect Branden Bowen just reopened his recruitment. Ohio State also made the top five for one 2016 prospect.

By Austin Kemp

Late Tuesday evening, the big news Ohio State fans were waiting for finally came to fruition when big Utah OL Branden Bowen decommitted from his home state Utes. Bowen recently visited Ohio State, and the scuttlebutt surrounding his recruitment started to point towards the Buckeyes around the same time.

Bowen checks in at 6'7, 330 pounds. He's graded out as the No. 85 offensive tackle, the eighth-ranked player out of the state of Utah, and the No. 779 player in the class of 2015 overall. Though he's only a three-star in the 247Sports Composite rankings, like a number of other prospects in this current class, he's a bit of a sleeper type who could wind up playing bigger than his evaluations.

This one is worth keeping an eye on as his commitment could change at any point now.

Another big time visitor to C-bus?

Next up on the docket, big time 2017 target Bruce Judson is hoping that he will be making a trip to Columbus on Nov. 29. Judson is one of the best athletes in his class and will be one of the most recruited players in the country by the time his senior year rolls around.

Judson has the ability to line up anywhere on the field and find success. Though he does play quarterback at his high school, that doesn't look to be in the plans at the next level--Think wide receiver, running back, or possibly defensive back. Currently Judson checks in at 5'10, 170 pounds, but we should see those measurables rise over the next few years. He also has a recorded 40 yard dash time of 4.40. The kid can fly.

Though it's extremely early in the process, the Buckeyes could be considered the favorite at this point. However, taking him from the southern schools will be a tall task. Ohio State offered Judson last May and he also camped in Columbus over the summer. The interest is definitely there and Urban Meyer will have to be at his best to land the Florida standout.

WR prospect looks to visit OSU:

Another prospect in the process of planning a trip to Columbus is 2016 wide receiver Justin Layne. Layne, from Cleveland, is ranked as the No. 22 wide receiver prospect in the class of 2016 and already holds an Ohio State offer. Among the schools recruiting him, the favorite could be any of Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan. It wouldn't be unwise to think that he'll end up any place but those three schools--though it wouldn't be a shock to see Notre Dame make a push.

As for the Buckeyes, Layne already visited Columbus once this season, back on November 1. A return trip is nothing but good for Ohio State and even make the Buckeyes a clear favorite. Layne has also visited Michigan State and Penn State multiple times.

Buckeyes make the cut:

Jared Mayden released his top five schools and Ohio State made the list. Mayden, a class of 2016 Texan, holds offers from most of the biggest programs in the country. At 6'0, Mayden has great size as a cornerback and is no doubt a physical presence when locked up on receivers.

Mayden camped in Columbus in July and is scheduled to make a return visit at the end of November. Again, being from Texas, it'll be tough battling it out with the Texas schools, but the interest is definitely there with Mayden. Expect Ohio State to be in this one all the way to the end.

Quick Hits:

  • Ohio State is in on 2017 Ohio native Brendan White. White will be one of the state's top prospects by the time his senior year rolls around and is also the son of former Buckeye standout William White. White has had a strong sophomore season thus far and will only continue to reel in the attention. Read the full update from Rivals.com's Marc Givler.

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