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Ohio State recruiting: Previewing the weekend visitors

Land-Grant Holy Land previews the weekend visitors.

This weekend isn't near as big as the visitors from two weeks ago, and might not even be as big as last weekend's slate of visitors, but there are still a couple of top prospects expected to be on campus.

The Buckeyes have already welcomed three top visitors this week, offensive lineman Gabe Megginson, tight end Hale Hentges, and 2016 offensive tackle Tommy Kraemer, who picked up a scholarship offer on his visit to Columbus.

Let's take a look at some of the top players who will be in town this weekend to take in tomorrow's student appreciation day practice.

OT Austin Clark, Lexington (VA) Rockbridge County

The standout offensive linemen is set to make his third trip to Columbus this weekend to see what Ohio State has to offer. He was previously in town for a camp last summer and the Ohio State-Penn State game last fall. He'll have the opportunity to get a more in-depth look at the campus this weekend as he will be one of the only players making a visit to OSU.

It's tough to tell exactly where Ohio State stands for the standout offensive tackle. We should know a lot more when the visit is wrapped up this weekend. Right now I would say Tennessee is the team to beat for his commitment, with Penn State, Clemson, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and others still in the mix.

RB Mike Weber, Detroit (MI) Cass Tech

I once thought the Buckeyes had a better chance at landed the state of Michigan's top running back around this time last year, but right now they're definitely on the outside looking in as things currently stand. He has been on campus a couple of times, once last April and most recently for the Ohio State-Wisconsin game last fall.

He's expected back this weekend as part of the "Cass Tech Day" Ohio State is hosting tomorrow. It's good that the coaching staff will have another chance to impress him, but I don't see him being a part of this class. Michigan and Michigan State are the frontrunners, with Tennessee and Wisconsin in the trail group along with the Buckeyes.

DE Joshua Alabi, Detroit (MI) Cass Tech

In addition to Weber, the Buckeyes will play host to another top 2015 recruit from Cass Tech. Alabi will be on campus again and has already been to Columbus multiple times. This case is similar to that of Weber, the Buckeyes have quite a bit of ground to make up and quite frankly, I don't think he has an OFFER and would probably need to camp in order to earn one.

We should have more on where Ohio State stands with him following the visit, but I would be shocked if he was a Buckeye at the start of the 2015 football season. Michigan State and Tennessee are the two clear leaders for his commitment as things currently stand.

QB Joe Burrow, The Plains (OH) Athens

The state of Ohio's top quarterback will be in town tomorrow in order to watch the Buckeyes' spring practice. He was last in town for a visit for the Ohio State-Wisconsin game. He comes in with an impressive list of scholarship offers, which includes Cincinnati, Maryland, North Carolina State, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.

I'm not sure how much contact he has had with the Ohio State coaching staff, but if he impresses at a camp this summer, he could be an intriguing candidate for the number two quarterback spot if the staff decides to take two. Right now I think West Virginia is the team to beat.

2014 signees on campus

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech defensive back Damon Webb and Newcastle (PA) defensive back/athlete Malik Hooker are expected on campus this weekend. Both signed to play for the Buckeyes two months ago.

Webb will be visiting with his high school team and Hooker will be in town to see Ohio State's practice. I'm guessing Columbus (OH) Bishop Ready offensive tackle Brady Taylor will be on campus too, though I haven't confirmed that just yet.

2017 standouts visiting

Ohio State will also be hosting a couple of the best players in the state of Michigan's 2017 recruiting class in Detroit (MI) Cass Tech wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and Detroit (MI) East English Village Prep offensive tackle Emani Mason.

It's way to early to guess where they may be leaning in recruiting and neither holds an offer yet. Both could end up being top recruits for the 2017 class though.