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It has been another pretty busy week in the world of Ohio State recruiting as many top prospects have been on campus this weekend. This weekend will be even busier as more than ten recruits are expected to be on campus. We'll preview the weekend and get you caught up on the last happenings in Ohio State recruiting.
Top linebacker Justin Hilliard could visit this weekend
There is already a very impressive list of players set to be on campus this weekend and it appears that list might get even better as Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier linebacker Justin Hilliard told me he might be on campus Saturday in order to watch Ohio State's spring practice.
It would be big to get Hilliard on campus this weekend as he's one of the Buckeyes' top targets for the 2015 recruiting class as a whole.
I don't think the race for his commitment is anywhere close to being over. In addition to Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and a couple of others are major players in his recruitment.
If the visit does indeed go down, we'll have more information Saturday night or Sunday.
North Carolina commit Chris Clark to visit
I was shocked when Avon (CT) Old Farms tight end Chris Clark committed to North Carolina last Sunday, just a week before he was set to take his first visit to Ohio State.
Less than a week after verbally committing to the Tar Heels, Clark has already make the decision to take a couple of more visits, one of which will be to Ohio State this spring according to Alex Gleitman of Bucknuts.
Rivals' Mike Farrell also chimed in stating Notre Dame is likely to receive a visit too.
Right now I think it's pretty likely Clark sticks with his commitment to North Carolina, but if he does indeed make the trip to Columbus, the Buckeyes will have a good opportunity to "flip" the standout tight end, who was the top target at the position before committing last weekend.
Jerome Baker staying another day
Cleveland (OH) Benedictine athlete Jerome Baker made the trip to Columbus today in order to watch the Buckeyes' spring practice and he was expected to head back to Cleveland following the practice.
Plans changed as Baker confirmed to me that he would be staying the night in Columbus and extending the visit another day.
I'll be talking to Baker sometime tomorrow and will have more on his visit then. It's definitely a good thing that he decided to stay on campus a little bit longer.
North Carolina defensive end to visit
Ohio State is hosting many top prospects this spring and it looks like we can add yet another in the form of Clayton (NC) Cleveland defensive end Sterling Johnson. Who told me he would be on campus this spring or this summer- if a spring visit doesn't work out.
(I talk to Ohio State) about once or twice a week," Johnson told Land-Grant Holy Land. "I talk to coach Ash. (We have a) good relationship. I like him a lot."
There are a couple of things the standout defender really likes about the Scarlet and Gray.
"(I like) a lot of things (about Ohio State)," Johnson said. "The uniforms, people, tradition, and culture."
We will let you know when he sets his visit to Columbus.
Adam McLean sets visit date
Bethesda (MD) Quince Orchard defensive tackle Adam McLean, who is one of Ohio State's top targets along the defensive line for the 2015 class set a date for his college decision yesterday.
"I will officially be committing to college the first day of my senior year on ESPN at Quince Orchard High School. Blessed to have this opportunity," McLean posted to his Facebook page.
Schools still have a lot of time to make their pitch to the standout defensive tackle, who should be in Columbus sometime this spring or summer.
The Buckeyes, Michigan State, Maryland, Nebraska, Alabama, Florida, and many others are in the race to land McLean's commitment.
Commitment watch?
I think the Buckeyes will add another commitment or two by the time the spring game comes and goes and there are a couple of names that immediately come to mind.
Of this weekend's visitors, Van Jefferson would be the most likely to commit, but I wouldn't bet on it happening that quickly.
Then there are in state guys who could comment at any minute. Names that come to find are Liam McCullough and Dre'Mont Jones.
Finally there are spring game visitors, where I think we could see a commitment from standout linebacker Sh'Mar Kilby-Lane.
Other recruiting news
- Weekend visitor Patrick Allen said he's excited to observe Ohio State this weekend and the Buckeyes are one of his top schools heading into the weekend.
It will be interested to see the impression Urban Meyer and company will make on the standout offensive lineman this weekend.
- Ohio State safety target Rashad Roundtree told me that he's going to be visiting in-state Georgia this weekend.
Roundtree has stated on many occasions that he is going to be making a visit to Ohio State at some point. The Bulldogs are the team to beat right now.
- Baltimore (MD) Gilman athlete Kai Locksley named the Buckeyes as part of his top 15 that he released yesterday.
Ohio State has a shot, but Maryland, where he father coaches is the pretty clear leader for his commitment as things currently stand.
Top 15 🏈📝 pic.twitter.com/pgcHVYDOmz
— Kai Locksley (@LOCKSnLOADED_3) March 21, 2014
- Land-Grant Holy Land will have you covered on a big visit weekend ahead of us. Stay locked here for all the visit buzz.
Important Dates
- March 6th visitor(s): LB Nick Conner, ATH Eric Glover-Williams
- March 18th visitor(s): QB Tommy Stevens
- March 20th visitor(s): LB Josh Barajas, DE Jonathon Cooper (2016), ATH Jerome Baker
- March 21st-22nd visitor(s): RB Larry Scott, WR Steven Smothers (2016), WR Van Jefferson, OL Patrick Allen, OL Simon Stepaniak, OL James Daniels, LB Justin Hilliard, DB Jordan Whitehead, DB Kareem Orr, ATH Brian Cole
- March 28th-29th visitor(s): OL Jake Fruhmorgen, OL David Robbins, DE Darius Fullwood
- April 2nd visitor(s): OL Gabe Megginson
- April 4th visitor(s): TE Hale Hentges
- April 12th/Spring Game visitor(s): OL Larry Wells, LB Nick Conner, LB Sh'mar Kilby-Lane (maybe), CB Minkah Fitzpatrick