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Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets, 12/11 - Mike Weber commits, new 2015 target emerges?

Get caught up with all the latest Ohio State recruiting news, including a huge commitment at running back for 2015.

By Bret Favachio
Michael Weber is commit No. 23
Michael Weber is commit No. 23
247Sports

If you've checked out Mark Pantoni's Twitter account, you already know that Ohio State had a very good day on Wednesday. The Buckeyes received commit No. 23 in the form of '15 RB Mike Weber yesterday, their second pledge from the famous Cass Tech program in the state of Michigan.

The addition of Weber bumped Ohio State up one spot in the recruiting rankings; they now sit at No. 4 in the country. The four-star back was previously committed to Michigan, but after yet another bad season, Weber backed off his pledge and will instead play his college ball in Columbus.

Kerry Coombs has done a fantastic job recruiting in enemy territory and has made plenty of Michigan prospects think about the possibility of becoming Buckeyes. In the 2013 class, Ohio State grabbed one of the best corners in the country in Damon Webb. This year, they've snagged Mike Weber and his teammate, offensive lineman Joshua Alabi.

New 2015 target?

On Wednesday, news came about that Gary Andersen would be departing Wisconsin for Oregon State. The news shocked just about everyone and now leaves Wisconsin commits in a tough position. As expected, the Buckeye staff took advantage of the situation and reached out to one of those prospects.

According to Greg Biggins of Scout.com, Ohio State contacted '15 TE Kyle Penniston, who has been committed to the Badgers since February. The staff originally attempted to add a TE to the class but the prospects they were targeting ended up elsewhere. The commitments of '15 DE Rashod Berry and '15 WR A.J. Alexander led some to believe they could possibly be moved into the position. But with the news of Andersen taking off, the Buckeyes could be looking to add the three-star from California and keep the aforementioned prospects at their original positions.

Coaches make visits again:

As mentioned in the previous "State Secrets," Ohio State sent a handful of coaches to check out '15 CB Juwuan Briscoe in Maryland yesterday. Buckeye coaches Kerry Coombs, Tom Herman, Larry Johnson and Urban Meyer stopped at Thomas Stone High School to get their last words in with the four-star prospect before the dead period begins. As you can see, Briscoe certainly looks to a priority for the "Elite 15," especially after '15 Safety Tyler Green decided to part ways with the Buckeyes on Tuesday. Briscoe, a former Clemson Tiger commit, has already made his official visit to Columbus. Now the staff is looking to close the door on his recruitment.

Shortly after checking on Briscoe, Meyer also stopped by to see '15 WR Lawrence Cager, according to Bill Kurelic. Though things seem to be trending towards Alabama and Notre Dame for the 6'5 pass catcher, Meyer made sure Cager knew he still wants him to be a part of the class. Ohio State has made it known that they would like to find a receiver to pair with '15 WR Alex Stump from St. Edwards (OH).

Offensive line coach Ed Warinner made the trip to New Jersey to meet with '15 OT Kevin Feder. The former Miami commit is one of five offensive linemen currently committed to the Bucks. Feder gave his commitment to the staff back in June and looks to provide much-needed depth along the offensive line when he gets to Columbus. The monster 6'9, 305-pounder will make his official visit this weekend along with a few other Buckeye commits.

Next up, Ohio State will be checking out '15 TE Luke Farrell later today according to Eleven Warriors' Jeremy Birmingham. The four-star prospect from Perry (OH) is one that the Buckeyes really want to see in the Scarlet and Gray. Ohio State will be without Jeff Heuerman next year and Nick Vannett will be a senior. They want to have two TE's and are in a good position to add both Farrell and '16 TE Jake Hausmann.

2016 commits earn fourth star:

Speaking of the 2016 class, the Buckeyes have four prospects already locked up. Coming into Wednesday, only two of those commits were rated as four stars from Rivals.com: '16 OG Tyler Gerald and '16 RB George Hill.

On Wednesday, that changed as Rivals awarded both '16 DE Jonathon Cooper and '16 WR/TE Kierre Hawkins with their fourth star. The bump for the two prospects now puts all Ohio State commits for 2016 as four-stars. Definitely a good start for Urban Meyer, as the Buckeyes will likely be looking to add another top-five recruiting class next year.

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