Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets, 1/16 - Urban Meyer and staff visit commits, top targets

Just days after bringing home a national championship to Columbus, Urban Meyer and the Ohio State coaching staff went back to work on the recruiting trail. With the dead period now over, members of the Buckeyes' staff were spread out all over the United States visiting with many of their verbal commitments and top targets on Thursday.

Urban Meyer and brand new assistant Tim Beck started the morning off in New Jersey. Some of the stops the pair made while visiting the Garden State were to the respective schools of class of 2016 quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, defensive lineman Rashan Gary, and running back Kareem Walker, who committed to OSU Monday night during the national title matchup against Oregon.

Staff pushes to keep Burrow's commitment:

After meeting with a few of the best athletes in New Jersey, Meyer and Beck hitched a plane to southern Ohio to sit down with class of 2015 pledge Joe Burrow and his family for an in-home visit, according to Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts.

While Beck was at Nebraska the Cornhuskers passed on offering Burrow, an NU legacy. With a new staff now in place at Nebraska, recently hired head coach Mike Riley and his assistants have made a push at flipping the Athens High standout. With the Burrows probably having plenty of questions for the new co-offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at OSU, hopefully last night's in-home visit gave everyone a little time to clear the air.

Judging by this tweet, I think it is safe to say Burrow had a great visit with his future coaches last night:

Freakin go bucks

— Joey Burrow (@Joe_Burrow10) January 16, 2015

Coombs hits up Motown:

Making the rounds in Detroit yesterday was fan favorite Kerry Coombs. The OSU cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator checked in on some of the talent at Cass Tech, the school of 2015 Buckeye commits Mike Weber and Joshua Alabi, and offerees Michael Onwenu (2016 offensive lineman), and Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017 wide receiver).

"We just talked about me coming down, and getting into the vibe. We were talking about when I could come down for a visit," Onwenu told Land-Grant Holy Land of his short interaction with Coombs.

The 6'2, 310-pound four-star prospect went on to add that he is planning on trying to make it back down to Columbus on January 25. Holding offers from OSU, Miami, Michigan, North Carolina State, and many others, some believe the Buckeyes could be the early front runner for Onwenu.

Coombs didn't just stop by Cass Tech, he also made an appearance at Detroit's Martin Luther King High for 2016 prospects Donnie Corley and Lavert Hill.

"He (Coombs) just said I look bigger, and just a few other basic things. I'll be down there on the 25th," said Corley, a four-star wide receiver. "I'm looking forward to just getting around to see a little more of the campus."

The Buckeyes offered the 6'2, 180-pound playmaker last month, but aren't the only program after Corley. Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, LSU, Notre Dame, and Iowa are just some of the other schools who have offered him a scholarship so far.

As a junior for King, Donnie hauled in 47 receptions for 1,087 yards, and 18 touchdowns.

2016 offensive tackle Michael Jordan of Plymouth High in Canton, Michigan also received a visit from Coombs yesterday. Like Onwenu and Corley, the 6'6, 285-pound Jordan holds an early offer from the Buckeyes, and plans on checking out OSU on January 25.

Hinton visits Orr:

While down south in Tennessee, Ohio State tight ends coach Tim Hinton paid a visit to three-star class of 2015 defensive back Kareem Orr. The Chattanooga native has yet to pick up a scholarship from OSU, but feels one could be on the way soon.

"They're about to offer. They came down here to confirm that I was taller than I was when I was at camp as a sophomore," Orr told Land-Grant Holy Land.

A 6'0, 190-pound cornerback, Orr has put together a very solid offer list during the recruiting process. A former Louisville commit, he is now considering offers from programs such as Oklahoma, Georgia, Indiana, and Arizona State, where he will officially visit over the weekend.

Wanting to take two more visits before signing day after getting an inside look at the Sun Devils, Orr stated his recruitment is wide open. With plans for a February 2 announcement, if the Buckeyes were to offer Kareem they would definitely be in consideration for his commitment.

"It's late in the process, but I'd put them high on my list though because that is one of my dream schools," he said.

See what Orr would bring to the Bucks with these highlights, courtesy of Hudl: