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Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets, 9/17 - Craig Watts, Chauncey Gardner name leaders

Florida's Craig Watts named his top three which included Ohio State. Do the Buckeyes have a chance? Also Urban Meyer states that there's only a few spots left in this year's recruiting class.

By Austin Kemp
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

The action got started quickly on Tuesday when Florida native Craig Watts named his top three of Ohio State, Kentucky, and Florida. He will also be deciding his college decision "soon."

Watts, who stands 6'0, has game breaking speed and can line up at running back or safety. One of the best in the class of 2016, Watts also holds offers from UCF, Indiana, and USF. Watts has been high on the Buckeyes his entire process, but the Gators may be leading this one.

If he picks OSU, in no way shape or form will this race be over. Ohio State will have to stay on Watts hard over the next year or so. On the offensive side of the ball, the kid has the potential to do wonders in an Urban Meyer defense.

UF commit names top 5:

2016 Florida commit Chauncey Gardner released his top five yesterday with Ohio State making an appearance. Gardner, a four-star running back/cornerback, is one of the best athletes in the state of Florida and it would be a huge get of the Buckeyes are able to land him.

Still, being a Gator commit in the state of Florida it will be hard to get him to make a change and come up north. However, if Florida slips on the field this year there's a real possibility it could cause Gardner to weigh his options. The Buckeyes have put themselves in a good position making the top five.

Hurry up, recruits:

Yesterday, Coach Meyer said that there are probably only 4-5 spots left in this recruiting class. Who will be the lucky prospects to jump in? That's anyone's guess at the moment. Right now we know that Torrance Gibson and Damien Harris have held the Buckeyes in high regard and Ohio State is near the top of both of their lists.

We know that Matthew Burrell looks like Ohio State's to lose. So, if Ohio State were to grab all three, that's only two potential spots left with other holes to fill. It will be a fun couple of months watching this class get finalized and to see who's in and who's out. By the way, don't count out Drew Richmond as he's a very real possibility to end up in Columbus when it's all said and done. Right there, that's four spots and could be the final four. I do see Ohio State adding one more receiver, however, with Lawrence Cager being a very good possibility.

Matta visits Winston:

To basketball, Thad Matta was in to see 2016 point guard Cassius Winston. Winston earned a Buckeye offer back in May, but it could be an in-state battle between the Wolverines and Spartans. Winston is the number two ranked player in the state of Michigan and the 7th overall ranked point guard in the country. Thad Matta has work to do, but he's more than capable of getting the Buckeyes in the thick of this battle.

Quick Hits:

- Per Taylor Hamm of 247Sports, the Buckeyes offered 2016 Texas wide-out Tyrie Cleveland yesterday. Texas A&M, Arkansas, Louisville, and TCU are just a few of the other teams after the four-star prospect.

- 2016 Ohio State target Thiyo Lukusa will be making his college decision on December 1st.

- Ohio State reached out to 2018 Canadian basketball prospect Junior Farquhar—yes, I guess it's never too early.

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