Standout defensive back has Ohio State among 5 leaders

With Ohio State always fighting for championship trophies, the Buckeyes are one of the programs prospects from across the country hope to hear from during the recruiting process.

Earning an opportunity to suit up in the Scarlet and Gray isn’t something to take lightly. After locking in his scholarship offer from Urban Meyer and the Buckeye coaching staff well over a year ago, four-star athlete Jaylin Simpson announced on Thanksgiving that he’s still considering bringing his talents up to Columbus.

Cutting his list of over a dozen scholarship offers down to five, Ohio State, Florida State, Clemson, Georgia, and Miami are still in the mix for the 5’11, 165-pound Frederica Academy (GA) standout.

More than talented enough to play on the offensive side of the ball, all signs point towards him playing defensive back if he winds up at OSU. Seeing time all over the field on the high school level, Simpson played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and defensive back for Frederica Academy as a junior this season, leading the Knights to an overall record of 7-4 and a state playoff berth.

Simpson, the 16th athlete and 195th overall prospect in the class of 2019, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings, isn’t the only Frederica star the Buckeyes are hoping to add to their roster, as his teammate, Jashawn Sheffield, a 2019 five-star wide receiver, is also high on Ohio State’s recruiting radar.

OSU showing interest in 2019 SF

Chris Holtmann and the new look Ohio State basketball coaching staff are hoping to build the Buckeyes back into a contender. And the only way you build a team back towards the top is searching the recruiting trail for talent.

According to Evan Daniels of Scout, Holtmann and crew are now showing interest in an under-the-radar small forward from the class of 2019.

With scholarship offers on the table from Appalachian State and Charlotte, three-star small forward Donovan Gregory is catching the eye of a number of new programs.

“It’s picking up a little bit lately,” Gregory said to Daniels on his recruitment. “I’ve heard from Clemson and Ohio State and Temple in the past couple of weeks, so it’s looking pretty good.”

The 61st small forward in the country, Gregory could watch his ranking skyrocket if he continues to light up the stat sheet for Carmel Christian Academy. Over the weekend, the 6’4 wing accounted for 45 points and 21 rebounds in a two game stretch at the Holiday Hoopsgiving basketball tournament held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Looking for their first class of 2019 pledge, the Buckeyes have yet to offer Gregory, but have dealt out scholarships to a solid list of junior wings. Among some of the small forwards Holtmann and Ohio State have sought after are Wendell Moore (Concord, NC/Cox Mill), Majok Deng (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic), and Harlond Beverly (Southfield, MI/Southfield Christian) to name a few.