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Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets - 2017 RB puts Buckeyes in top 10, Cornell Powell to visit

Ohio State made the cut once again for a top prospect in the 2017 recruiting class, while a top WR plans to visit.

By Caleb Houser
Cornell Powell
Cornell Powell
247sports.com

There is rarely any downtime for Ohio State's staff when it comes to recruiting efforts. Yesterday, the Ohio State staff received good news again as they will host yet another big time receiver and also made the cut for a top running back in the 2017 class.

Bucks make the cut for Trey Sermon

Yesterday, Trey Sermon released his top ten schools via Twitter. Making the cut for Trey were none other than the defending national champions, Ohio State. Also included in the list were Tennessee, South Carolina, Stanford, Georgia and more. With one running back in the 2017 class committed already in Todd Sibley, it will be interesting to see how the relationship between Sermon and Ohio State builds. Currently, the Marietta, Georgia native is ranked as the fourth-best running back prospect in the nation and the 44th-best player overall in the class of 2017. The 6-foot-1, 206-pound running back holds over twenty offers as of right now from the likes of many of the country's top programs. Interestingly enough, Ohio State extended an offer to Trey on July 24, the night of Friday Night Light's camp. To put the Buckeyes in his top ten list with that recent of an offer, that only shows where Ohio State stands with Sermon. Urban Meyer and staff have recruited the state of Georgia very well over the years. We will see where things end up with the nation's fourth-ranked running back prospect.

Ohio State to host top receiver

For Ohio State, having a top prospect on campus is the best way for the young man to see the atmosphere and tradition of Buckeye football and all of the positive aspects the university has to offer. Unfortunately, for young recruits, only five "official visits" can be paid for by the specific schools being visited. The rest of the visits and all expenses are paid for by the parents and or family of the student. So when a top recruit plans an "official" visit for your school, it's a big deal. Yesterday, Ohio State received news that 4-star receiver prospect Cornell Powell will be visiting Ohio State on October 17, the night game scheduled for Penn State where Ohio State will unveil its latest black jersey.

The interesting piece on Powell is that he is currently committed to Clemson. In an article with BleacherReport.com yesterday, Powell let it be known that he is visiting Ohio State because he "want(s) to see how national champions operate." With direct quotes like this, it's no surprise that Powell is excited to get to Columbus and see what the Buckeyes have to offer. As of right now, the Clemson commit and Greenville, North Carolina prospect is ranked as the 40th-overall receiver in the 2016 class and the 10th-overall player in his home state. The Buckeyes are chasing at least one more major receiver prospect in the 2016 class; however, with a loaded 2017 class at the receiver position and so many top prospects having Ohio State high on their list, Ohio State's staff may be okay with having just Austin Mack and Kierre Hawkins in the receiver haul for 2016, leaving plenty of room for more playmakers to choose the Buckeyes in the following year. We will see how things shape up with Powell with the conclusion of his visit at Ohio State on October 17.

Future kicker is no. 1

Blake Haubeil of Buffalo, New York was a Friday Night Lights camp star as he committed to Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes on the spot. Recently, the kicker from Buffalo was awarded a prestigious honor as he was ranked as the nation's top kicker prospect for the 2017 class. Current Ohio State kicker Sean Nuernberger is a sophomore on the roster, so having a 2017 kicker already committed is perfect. Blake will hit the ground running as soon as he reaches campus in the fall of 2017.

Zone 6 continues its movement

If you didn't already know, Zone 6 is the name of the receiver corps under the watch of position coach Zach Smith. When Urban Meyer first took the job at Ohio State, he was very displeased with the production of his athletes at the receiver position. Thanks in large part to Zach Smith and incredible recruiting efforts, Ohio State's receivers are now a position of strength for the Buckeyes. With a loaded roster of talent in the group, including new member Braxton Miller, Zone 6 is becoming well known across the college football scene. Late last night, Buckeye receiver coach Zach Smith tweeted yet another Zone 6 mantra and it became quite the attraction from current and future Buckeye receivers. Unfortunately, the gloves pictured in the tweet are not currently real. However, if they are created, look for your Ohio State receivers to flash these bad boys in Zone 6 over and over.

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