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Tracking down elite talent on the recruiting trail is one of the main reasons why the Ohio State football program is among the best in the country year-in year-out. Already blessed with a current roster full of standouts, the Buckeyes' 2016 and 2017 classes should only help keep OSU towards the top for years to come.
One prospect who could be a huge piece of the puzzle when he arrives on campus next year is Austin Mack. After once again putting up huge numbers for Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, the class of 2016 wide receiver was selected as the Land-Grant Holy Land MVP of the week.
Over the weekend, Mack, and most of the current OSU verbal commitments were back in action. Shining under the lights, quite a few future Buckeyes balled out. Which pledge did enough to grab your MVP vote this week?
Here are your five nominees:
Kierre Hawkins
The class of 2016 commit played a huge role in Maple Heights 36-6 victory over East Cleveland Shaw on Friday. Seeing action on both sides of the ball, Hawkins scored a touchdown on offense,and finished with five total tackles, which included two quarterback sacks.
With the win, Hawkins, and the Mustangs are now 6-1. Looking to make a deep playoff run this year, Maple Heights will take on a feisty Lorain High(4-3) squad Friday evening.
George Hill
Leaving exactly where he left off last week, Hill once again put up huge numbers on the ground for Hubbard (5-2). Taking on Jefferson Area (4-3) on Friday evening, the class of 2016 verbal carried the ball 19 times for 179 yards and a touchdown to help lead Hubbard past Jefferson Area, 21-18.
Showing off his world class speed, Hill's play on the night came on his only score. In the first quarter, the four-star athlete turned what looked like a modest gain into points. After getting pinned in the middle of the field, Hill dodged tackles, bounced outside and rushed 83 yards down the sideline for the first touchdown of the ball game.
Tuf Borland
Before heading to Columbus to watch the Buckeyes take on Maryland, Borland had a little business to take care of first. In a 68-6 Bolingbrook (IL) win over an outmatched Joliet Central (0-7), the class of 2016 linebacker sure didn't disappoint.
As first pointed out by Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts ($), Borland accounted for 12 total tackles, which included three pins for a loss. Not only was he a tackling machine on Friday, Tuf also showed off his speed a bit. Intercepting a Joliet Central pass, Borland rumbled 52 yards for a Bolingbrook score.
Kareem Walker
Taking on Bergen Catholic (NJ) on ESPNU, Walker turned a slow start to a pretty decent outing. After not starting the ball game, Walker ended up being one of the only sparks of DePaul Catholic's offense.
Carrying the ball 23 times, Walker finished the contest with nearly 150 yards rushing, and a touchdown. Even though Walker had a solid game, his performance wasn't enough to lift DePaul over Bergen as the Spartans fell to the Crusaders, 15-13 on Friday.
Todd Sibley
On Saturday, Sibley, a 2017 commit, once again proved why he's considered one of the top running backs in the junior class. Taking handoffs from fellow OSU pledge Danny Clark, Sibley ran all over the Lake Catholic defense to pace Akron Archbishop Hoban (7-0) to an easy win.
In the 49-0 blow-out, Sibley toted the rock 15 times for 143 yards, and three scores. His standout moment of the game came in the first half when SIbley rumbled 44 yards to pay dirt, helping Hoban stay undefeated on the season.