A fairly quiet Monday for Ohio State in terms of recruiting, but a Monday that may set up some potential interest from a few talented recruits to look more into the Buckeyes. But first off, a current Buckeye commit, '16 defensive end Jonathon Cooper, earned a five-star rating from 247Sports, after being rated as a four-star recruit for much of his recruiting process.
The 6'3, 238-pound Cooper is ranked as the 52nd best prospect in the country, in addition to being the fourth-best defensive end and third-best prospect at any position from the state of Ohio. Cooper has been committed to Ohio State since Nov. 14 of last year, and hasn't wavered in that commitment. Cooper holds a list of offers from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Toledo, and was receiving interest from Michigan and Tennessee.
The article linked above talks about how Cooper's ranking is because of the potential and growth he's shown on the football field so far in his career, and the belief that he's essentially only scratched the surface for his ability. With a limited amount of five-star recruits in the country, Cooper has quite a bit to live up to and prove to show that he's got what it takes.
B/R EXCLUSIVE: Top-rated OL @Thegreglittle decommits from Texas A&M, reports our @DamonSayles http://t.co/RtfKfGpne0 pic.twitter.com/qW6vWJQeY9
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) July 13, 2015
A bit of surprising news was released Monday, when '16 offensive tackle Gregory Little, checking in at 6'5, 305-pounds, announced that he would be decommitting from Texas A&M and reopening his recruitment. Though Little committed early in the process last year, I wasn't expecting him to change his mind, at least, not yet. Now, Little plans to take official visits to Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, and Ole Miss, and an additional school (Texas might be the best bet).
The Offensive Line MVP at The Opening Finals, Little holds offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Clemson, Florida, LSU, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, USC, and Washington, among others.
However, the Aggies aren't totally out of the mix yet, by any means. Little has a connection with Texas A&M quarterback Kyler Murray (if he gets the start in College Station, look out, college football). That alone could help keep the Aggies alive in this recruiting race. And since it was such an early commitment, after his visits, Little may feel that there isn't anywhere else he'd prefer to go.
Little's 247Sports Crystal Ball seems to be a place of uncertainty regarding his favorites. The experts have Alabama in front. with 57 percent of the vote, followed by Texas A&M (33 percent), Oklahoma (7 percent), and Ole Miss (3 percent):