Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets - Austin Mack commits, Naquan Jones to announce

In case you missed it, the Buckeyes' future got even brighter over the weekend. Finally putting all assumptions to rest, class of 2016 wide receiver Austin Mack verbally committed to play his college football for Urban Meyer and the Ohio State University after having the Big Ten power in the lead for months.

One of the top playmakers in the country, Mack, who chose OSU over Michigan, Notre Dame, and Tennessee, had been one of the top prospects sought after by Meyer and the Buckeye coaching staff.

Want to know more about what the Buckeyes are getting in Mack? Land-Grant Holy Land football analyst Christopher Jason had the following to say on the Buckeyes' 16th pledge:

"Wide receivers coach Zach Smith got himself a pure, outside receiver for the 2016 class and he got a very good one with Bishop Leuers' (IN) Austin Mack. Mack has the perfect blend of size (6'2, 205 pounds) and speed to make an early impact in Columbus. He has a long, sturdy frame that has the ability to add muscle mass once he gets into a college weight room.

Mack is a very good route runner for his age and uses his quick-twitch abilities to separate from defenders. He excels on deep routes, as he possesses more deceptive speed than burner speed but he still gets the job done. He has a little Devin Smith in him when locating the football in the air on deep balls. Mack uses his body to his advantage to shield defenders on jump balls in the end zone. Even though he is already a huge red zone threat, he will be even scarier to defend in close quarters once his frame fills out. Mack is a head-catcher and possesses excellent ball skills.

The Fort Wayne product has excellent upside as a true, outside receiver. He can take a screen pass 50 yards, run a 5-yard hitch and break tackles for extra yardage, or glide past a cornerback on a 9-route. In my opinion, Mack is the most complete high school wide receiver commitment, with the mot upside since Johnnie Dixon."

Jones to announce

Later today, class of 2016 defensive tackle Naquan Jones of Evanston Township High in Evanston, Illinois will make one of the biggest decisions of his life and let the world know where he will be playing his college football.

Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, and South Carolina are just a few of the long list of programs that offered the 6'4 285-pound Jones during the process.

While the Buckeyes are definitely looking to bring in another defensive tackle, chances are Jones won't be that guy. Many around the recruiting scene have pegged Jones to the Michigan State Spartans, who have been one of the hottest teams in the country as of late landing numerous verbal commitments over the last couple weeks.

Naquan will announce his commitment at 2:00 (CT) this afternoon. You can watch Jones make his college choice on ChicagoFootball.com.

Quick Hits

• Four-star class of 2016 wide out Binjimen Victor will announce his college commitment on the 22nd of June. Victor, a 6'4, 170-pound standout from Coconut Creek, Florida has a top four of Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, and Tennessee. Although the Buckeyes have always been held in high regard by Victor, at the moment all signs are pointing towards him staying in the Sunshine State and playing for the Gators.
• Future Buckeye defensive end Jonathon Cooper, running back Kareem Walker, quarterback Danny Clark and a number of OSU targets participated in the Rivals Five-Star Challenge in Baltimore on Saturday. Leaving exactly where he left off at the recent Opening Regional, Cooper, a Gahanna Lincoln product, shined in the spotlight and was named MVP of all the defensive linemen in attendance at the camp.
• Class of 2017 defensive back Richard LeCounte told Woody Wommack of the Rivals Network over the weekend that he currently has a top five of Ohio State, Georgia, Miami, Clemson, and Florida State. A Hinesville, Georgia native, LeCounte is good friends with and a former Liberty County High teammate of current Buckeye linebacker Raekwon McMillan.