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Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets - OSU has record day in Florida, Kareem Walker update

With just under a month before the Fiesta Bowl match-up against Notre Dame, Ohio State is wasting no time at all as they are hard at work on the recruiting trails.

By Caleb Houser
247Sports

Yesterday seemed to be a record day for Ohio State. The Buckeye coaching staff was yet again in Florida at the prestigious St. Thomas Aquinas in Ft. Lauderdale. Given that the school that has been very kind to Ohio State in recent years, Urban Meyer and co. are hoping to keep that a trend for the future. With arguably the busiest recruiting day since the summer, let's jump right in to Thursday's happenings.

OSU offers 6 from St. Thomas Aquinas

For a school to hand out six scholarships in one day is pretty serious. However, for a school to hand out six offers to kids hailing from the same high school all in one day, that's really serious. Yesterday, the Buckeye coaching staff dished out new offers to not just a couple, but six St. Thomas Aquinas athletes. With alums such as Joey Bosa and Damon Arnette currently playing ball for the Buckeyes, it's no secret at all the type of talent that is being developed in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Also, current Ohio State pledge and younger brother of Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa, is just another one of the top prospects from St. Thomas Aquinas that will find his way north to Columbus. With the relationships Ohio State has built in Ft. Lauderdale, consider yesterday another step in solidifying the pipeline from St. Thomas Aquinas to Ohio State.

Cody Bowes

The first offer to touch on is Cody Bowes. At 6'4, 270 pounds, Cody is currently ranked as a 3-star prospect according to 247sports. The 2017 offensive tackle is currently ranked as the ninety-fourth best prospect in the state of Florida for 2017, but with more than enough time before Bowes makes his college decision, look for his ranks to increase heavily. One factor that will definitely help Cody jump up the rankings is bringing in a new offer from Ohio State. As of right now, Bowes owns offers from the likes of Syracuse, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Marshall, Temple, Tulane, Wake Forest, and the latest to the list, Ohio State. With an impressive list of offers already, it's only a matter of time before more of the nation's top schools throw their hats into the ring.

Nik Bonitto

The next on the long list of Thursday's offers is Nik Bonitto. Bonitto is only a 2018 prospect, so as of right now, he does not hold a current ranking according to 247sports. However, that is sure to change as the young standout defensive end currently holds offers from the likes of Miami (FL), Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Rutgers, South Carolina, West Virginia, and now Ohio State. An incredible list of offers guarantees Nik to skyrocket to at least a 4-star ranking when it is time for the 2018 rankings to come out. At 6'4, 200 pounds, there is still potential for Nik to grow as he is only 16 years old. It's clear why Ohio State jumped on the bandwagon and offered this youngster.

Kivon Bennett

Third on the list of yesterday's offers is Kivon Bennett. Bennett is a 6'2, 250-pound defensive tackle in the 2017 class. He's another prospect that does not have a 247sports recruiting ranking, but that will change in the near future. Currently, he holds offers from Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic, Michigan, North Carolina State, Central Florida, Northern Illinois, and now Ohio State. With plenty of time to improve and still another season of high school football to be played, Bennett is a prospect that will continue to develop and seek interest from the nation's elite football programs.

Drew White

The next recent Raider to receive an Ohio State offer is 2017 linebacker prospect Drew White. Coming in at 6'1, 220 pounds, the outside linebacker currently holds a 3-star ranking according to 247sports. However, with the recent offers Drew has picked up, look for that to change as his stock will likely rise. With schools such as Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic, North Carolina State, Michigan, and most recently, Ohio State dishing out offers his way, Drew is a prospect that will continue to be a name to watch. Ohio State has just one linebacker commit in the 2016 class so it comes as no surprise that Urban Meyer and staff will be looking to offer many of the country's best linebacker prospects to fill in the gaps within the position.

Daniel Carter

Carter, only a freshman in high school, is a 5'11, 185-pound running back that has nothing but time before he sees a national ranking. Ohio State wasted no time in throwing an offer at Carter as they see the enormous potential for the 2019 prospect. Look for Carter's name to be one worth watching in the next few years as he is sure to land offers from many more of the nation's top schools.

Anthony Solomon

Another talented freshman on the STA roster, the 6'1, 190-pound Solomon adds the Buckeyes to an already impressive early list of scholarship offers. With nearly three years left until he signs with a college, plenty of programs are lining up to add the linebacker to their roster. Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, and Michigan State are just a few of the other schools Ohio State find themselves up against for Solomon.

Kareem Walker update

It has been a while since we last mentioned Kareem Walker's name. The onetime 2016 Buckeye commit is still ranked as the nation's top running back prospect, but is now most likely headed elsewhere. Walker is set to announce his decision later this month on December 17, but in all likelihood, it won't be Ohio State. Look for Walker to decide between Michigan, Alabama, and Florida State.

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