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Ohio State got some good news in multiple forms on the recruiting trail Monday, starting with '15 wide receiver Tristan Payton. Payton told Bill Kurelic and 247Sports that Ohio State, along with USC and Central Florida, are the top three teams that still have a chance to land the talented receiver. The 6'0, 182-pound Payton is ranked 41st in the country at his position and 47th overall at any position from the state of Florida.
Payton was once committed to Florida, but decommitted on July 21. Since then, Payton has only considered his top three schools, a short list that didn't include the Gators. Payton holds offers from Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Troy, and Wake Forest, among others. Last season, Payton hauled in 50 receptions for 857 yards and seven touchdowns. Payton will visit USC on August 7-10, and it will be interesting to see how his recruitment plays out.
2015 St. Thomas Aquinas WR Devante Peete says it's down to Ohio State, Miami, Lousiville. pic.twitter.com/jbzakxcYqM
— Nash Williams (@NashSports) August 4, 2014
'15 wide receiver Devante Peete has released his top three teams that include Ohio State, Miami, and Louisville. The 6'5, 195-pound receiver has blazing speed (runs a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash) and is a four star under the 247Sports Composite. The 30th best receiver in the country holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Cincinnati, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Houston, Michigan, Missouri, Florida State, and the list goes on and on.
In 2013, Peete had 17 catches for 387 yards and five touchdowns as a junior in high school. He'll look to make waves this upcoming season, as many are expecting big things from this tree of a receiver. Someone that tall and that fast is bound to be successful.
Sorry for the delay but here it is. It's in No Order. pic.twitter.com/YFYa1W8pxI
— Rick DeBerry (@TheFranchize__) August 5, 2014
'15 LB/DE Ricky DeBerry released a top eight teams on Monday afternoon, which included the Buckeyes. The list, in no order, went as follows: Alabama, Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and Ohio State.
The 6'2, 255-pound DeBerry has actually been clocked at a 4.60 in the 40-yard dash which is really solid speed. Ranked as the seventh best outside linebacker in the country, he also is ranked as the third best prospect overall from the state of Virginia. DeBerry also holds offers from over 45 major programs, but the Buckeyes currently lead the 247Sports Crystal Ball with 36 percent of the vote.
Officials so far to: 1. UCLA 2.Ohio state 3. Stanford
— Malik Jefferson 4⃣6⃣ (@Official_MalikJ) August 4, 2014
We saved perhaps the best news for last. '15 five star all-everything linebacker Malik Jefferson tweeted on Monday that in addition to UCLA and Stanford, Jefferson would be taking one of his official visits to Columbus. The plan is to come in on November 1, so mark your calendars.
The 6'2, 215-pound linebacker has been clocked at a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash and is ranked as the top linebacker prospect in the country, 11th overall in the nation, and first overall from the state of Texas. As of now, Texas A&M leads all other teams on the Crystal Ball with 64 percent of the vote from the experts.