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There are going to be quite a few elite prospects on campus for visits this weekend. Unlike the past couple of weekends, this weekend's list is comprised of mostly top players in the 2015, who all have scholarship offers from the Scarlet and Gray.
We'll get you ready for the big weekend on visitors on hand. Let's get started.
DT Elijah Taylor, Cincinnati (OH) Moeller
The state of Ohio's top defensive tackle was on campus yesterday and is finishing up his trip to Columbus today. He received a scholarship offer a couple of weeks ago and is pretty interest in the Buckeyes. Other notable offers include Notre Dame, Michigan State, Tennessee, Miami, and many others.
Ohio State definitely has a chance, but not as good a chance as they have with most other in-state players. It will be tough to beat out Notre Dame in this race. His former teammate (class of 2014) defensive tackle Daniel Cage signed with the Fighting Irish a few months ago. He's also pretty interested in Michigan State and Tennessee. This visit is a big one for the Buckeyes as they hope to move up to the same level as Notre Dame on his list.
DE/LB Ricky DeBerry, Richmond (VA) St. Christopher's School
Of the guys scheduled to visit this weekend, DeBerry is probably the furthest from making a commitment. He has scholarship offers from over 50 schools and cut that down to 20 a couple of weeks ago, with Ohio State being one of the schools to make his cut. I would be shocked if he committed anytime soon and am not ready to make any predictions as far as where he might end up right now. It's difficult getting a read.
That being said, this weekend's visit is huge. He'll be on campus for about three days and will have plenty of time to be with the Ohio State coaches and see what the campus has to offer. While I'm not making a prediction, I think the Buckeyes will be one of his top 3-5 choices after he visits. I doubt all 20 schools get visits making it big the Buckeyes got one of them.
OT Matthew Burrell, Woodbridge (VA) C. D. Hilton
Joining DeBerry on campus will be another top player from the state of Virginia in the 6'7, 290-pound offensive tackle Matthew Burrell. This is his first trip to Columbus and it's a big one. He has offers from many of the top programs across the nation.
He's another guy who's difficult to read making it tough to make a prediction. I do think a good to Columbus could put the Buckeyes in a very good spot to land his commitment, but there's still going to be some work to do post-visit. Alabama, Florida, Texas, Penn State, and other will be a major player in his recruitment.
WR Van Jefferson, Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood
As I've mentioned a couple of times this week, Jefferson is the most likely to commit of all the guy on campus this weekend, though it's by no means a guarantee. If the Buckeyes are able to add him he would be a perfect fit on the outside and is already a very polished route runner.
He was on campus around this time last month, where I think the Buckeyes took a commanding lead for his commitment. This visit will go a long way in closing the deal and getting him to commit on the visit or a couple of days after it wraps up.
TE Chris Clark, Avon (CT) Old Farms
Fresh off decommitting from North Carolina and visiting Michigan, Clark will arrive in Columbus on Saturday and is expected to visit through Sunday. This is going to be his first visit to Ohio State. He's another guy who probably won't make a decision for a little while, but you never know what could happen.
I think Notre Dame is the team to beat for him right now, but with a strong visit to Ohio State, I think the Buckeyes could make up a lot of ground on the Fighting Irish. The Buckeyes, Notre Dame, Michigan, Auburn, North Carolina, and a couple of others will be major players in his recruitment.