Can Ohio State come away with another quarterback in the 2018 recruiting class?

We are now halfway through Michigan week. In just a few short days, the Ohio State Buckeyes will be taking the field at ‘The Big House’ in Ann Arbor. It’s definitely a game OSU has been focused on since before the season started.

Something else the Buckeyes are constantly (and perpetually) focusing on: recruiting.

While the Scarlet and Gray don’t have any more home games to impress potential commits, the product that is seen on the field and in the classroom speaks volumes. Ohio State is still No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings, but they still can find a way into the playoffs with a little help.

On the personnel side, 19 Buckeyes will witness ‘The Game’ for the final time as a player, with quarterback J.T. Barrett being one of those 19 members. He’s been the QB for what seems like a lifetime. (And that’s 100 percent okay with me.)

It’s bittersweet, but as this class of Buckeyes leave for the next endeavor, a new class of Buckeyes will come in. Who’s in the class isn’t set in stone just yet.

An interest

Right now, the 2018 recruiting class has one QB in Emory Jones, a dual-threat/four-star commit. However, the Alabama Crimson Tide are doing what they can to bring Jones to Tuscaloosa. On Nov. 11, the Franklin, GA native made an unofficial visit to Auburn, Alabama’s fiercest rival, according to 247sports.

Will Jones stay in the class? Time will tell. However, that hasn’t stopped others from weighing in on their interest of the Buckeyes.

On Tuesday evening, Bill Kurelic of 247sports’ Ohio State site, Bucknuts, wrote about Adrian Martinez (Fresno, CA/Clovis West) and his interest in being a Buckeye. Martinez made an official visit on Nov. 11, and took in the Michigan State game—a game that the Buckeyes won by 45 points.

According to Kurelic, Martinez said he still has interest in Ohio State. At the moment, though, the California native is committed to the Tennessee Volunteers; he’s been committed to the program since May 12. However, Butch Jones was still the head coach of Tennessee when he committed. That’s not the case now, as Jones was relieved of his duties on Nov. 12.

In the same article, though, Martinez reaffirmed his commitment to the Volunteer program, and will see how the coaching change plays out. But with other schools still in contact with the four-star QB, anything can happen—especially with Tennessee trying to turn the tide after firing Jones.

Not far behind Emory Jones in the 247sports composite rankings, Martinez is considered the seventh best dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 class. In the talent-rich state of California, he ranks No. 20 overall.

And an award finalist

Ohio State commit and four-star inside linebacker Teradja Mitchell (Virginia Beach, VA/Bishop Sullivan) was named a finalist for the High School Butkus Award. The award, named after football legend Dick Butkus, is given to the best linebacker.

The four other finalist include a couple of OSU targets. Palaie Gaoteote and Solomon Tuliaupupu join Mitchell for a chance to be crowned the best LB on the high school circuit. Notre Dame commit Matthew Bauer and USC verbal commit Bo Calvert round out the five finalists.

Bishop Sullivan got in on the social media game, and tweeted out their support for their star.