The primetime matchup versus the Nittany Lions of Penn State will be here before we know it. With all of the hype surrounding this game with the black Nike uniforms and "Dark Night" at the 'Shoe, this game has set the stage for an incredible atmosphere that will be taken in by some of the nation's top recruits.
Even though Ohio State Athletic Director, Gene Smith ,and staff have said that it is not the athletic department's endorsement of "Dark Night" at the 'Shoe, the expectation from the staff and fans is that Ohio Stadium will play host to the first ever "black-out" game in Ohio State history. This plays a vital role in recruiting and luckily, recruiting will be in full force this weekend. With that said, let's jump in to see the list of visitors making their way to Columbus this Saturday.
Kareem Walker Update
As many already have heard, this past weekend, the nation's top running back and Ohio State commit, Kareem Walker, made his way to Ann Arbor to take in his "official visit" at the University of Michigan. While the rumors have swirled out of control, one thing is for certain and that is this: Kareem is going to take his visits. While this may upset many Ohio State fans, it needs to be realized that these are young impressionable student-athletes that have the right to visit where they please. Never fear, Ohio State will be successful regardless of the recruits they end up with.
One rumor has said that Kareem has been given an "ultimatum" and there's a timetable for his decision of being "in or out" with Ohio State. While multiple reports have shot that rumor down, it's interesting to hear to say the least. We will see what time brings us with the nation's top running back, who has been committed to the 2016 Ohio State class since January, but according to one of Walker's high school coaches, Walker has no plans of decommitting from Ohio State.
Asked Depaul Catholic assistant Bryan Murray if there was any validity to reports of Kareem Walker decommitting from #OhioState: "None"
— Marc Givler (@MarcGivlerBG) October 14, 2015
Antonio Williams to visit
As noted earlier, the Kareem Walker situation seems to be causing some serious strife in Buckeye Nation. To help lead to even more confusion, it was brought to the surface that current Wisconsin running back commit Antonio Williams will also be in attendance this Saturday for the primetime matchup, according to Alex Gleitman and Bill Kurelic of 247Sports. Williams has been committed to Wisconsin for almost a year, but seems to be becoming a name worth mentioning for Ohio State. With the status of Walker in limbo, this visit is something to pay interest to. Williams, a 5'11, 210-pound running back, is the seventh-best at his position and the eighth-best player in his home state of North Carolina for the 2016 class according to 247sports. As for Antonio's status, Saturday will help sort that out.
I asked RB Antonio Williams what happens after this Ohio State visit and he said "The visit Saturday will determine what happens next."
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) October 14, 2015
OSU to see another from Cass Tech
It's no secret how much talent is in the Cass Tech football program out of Detroit, Michigan. With the most current Cass Tech Buckeye being freshman running back Mike Weber, it's easy to see why Meyer wants to continue building relationships at Cass Technical High School. This weekend, another Cass Tech prospect will be in attendance to not only watch Ohio State take on Penn State, but to also check in on his former teammates. Jaylen Kelly-Powell, a 6'0, 185-pound safety, will be making his way down to Columbus this weekend. While the 25th-best safety prospect and ninth-best player in the state of Michigan for 2017 holds an offer from Ohio State, it is expected that he will choose the home team Wolverines according to the predictions with the 247sports crystal ball. However, it is interesting to note that with the big showdown this weekend with Michigan and Michigan State, you would think most in-state prospects would choose that game to attend. However, Jaylen will be at Ohio State.
Going to check out the Big Bro's this weekend. #DarkNightAtTheShoe pic.twitter.com/sLKbKRuhLL
— Jaylen Kelly-Powell (@JKellypowell) October 13, 2015
Wade coming back to town
In sticking with the defensive back trend, yesterday, via his Twitter, 2017 prospect Lamont Wade made it known that he too, would be coming to Columbus this weekend for the biggest recruiting weekend of the season so far. The Clairton, Pennsylvania stud stands at 5'10, 185 pounds and is the seventh-best cornerback prospect in the 2017 class according to 247sports. Wade currently is predicted by the 247sports crystal ball to end up as a Buckeye, but there's still a lot of time to go before he signs his letter of intent. However, having Wade back on campus yet again only continues to solidify the excellent relationships the staff has already built with Wade and his family. With an incredible 2017 defensive back haul already in the 2017 class, Meyer would love to add Lamont to the mix.
Back up to Columbus this weekend, excited to get back to #BuckeyeNation ⚪⚫ ❕❕❕
— La〽ont Wade (@Goony_38) October 13, 2015
OSU will see LeCounte
The last time the Peach State star was in Columbus was for the Ohio State "Friday Night Lights" camp this past July. Well, a couple of months later and Richard LeCounte is making his way back to Ohio State. Per Jeremy Birmingham of Eleven Warriors, LeCounte will making the trip north with a coach of his at Liberty County. The 5'11, 175-pound athlete is no new name to Ohio State recruiting as he was a teammate of current Buckeye Raekwon McMillan and has made no secret of his interest in Ohio State. Currently, the 247sports crystal ball predictor has Richard choosing the Buckeyes, but the home state Georgia Bulldogs trail by a slim margin. LeCounte is another 2017 prospect so his recruitment has a large timetable, but the second best athlete in the country according to 247sports would make yet another incredible addition to an already loaded 2017 Ohio State class.
Official visit set for Hayes
In light of the situation at USC, Daelin Hayes, an Ann Arbor, Michigan product, let it be known that he decommitted from Southern California this past Sunday. Days later, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker has set an official visit to Ohio State for November 7, when the Buckeyes take on Minnesota. The second-best player in the state of Michigan and the ninth-best prospect at his position in the 2016 class (according to 247sports) has offers from just about everywhere, but the Buckeyes are looking to make up ground with Hayes as he is a prospect that you have to at least give interest to. Since decommitting from USC, it is Notre Dame and Michigan that lead the way on the 247sports crystal ball predictions, but with an official visit in the works, look for Meyer to roll out the red carpet for Hayes.
Top100 LB Daelin Hayes schedules #OhioState official, plans to visit #Oklahoma, could also see #OleMiss & #Texas: http://t.co/eszERJ4ZPG
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) October 13, 2015