Ohio State steps into Georgia (again) for a recruit

With Ohio State’s Pro Day concluded and spring practice in full effect for the 2017 Buckeyes, Urban Meyer and his staff have so far been very pleased with what they are seeing in their squad. With the pedal to the metal on developing their team for the upcoming season, the football coaching staff has also been able to play host to some of the nation’s most prized recruits for the 2018 and 2019 classes. There’s rarely any downtime for this coaching staff and lately, Columbus has been what seems like a five-star resort, as it has been able to lure the talent to its stomping grounds.

Georgia the new Ohio?

The Buckeyes have certainly made it no secret that they are in love with recruiting the talent-rich state of Georgia. The past few season under the helm of Urban Meyer has seen Georgia become a top priority recruiting destination — and maybe the highest priority besides Ohio and Florida. While securing a current 2018 commitment from top quarterback prospect Emory Jones, it looks as if Meyer and his gang have serious intentions for scooping more of the South’s best.

Yesterday, while visiting Columbus to see what the Buckeyes have to offer, three-star Georgia prospect Chris Smith was the latest to earn an Ohio State offer. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Atlanta cornerback is currently ranked as the 36th best at his position and the 41st best prospect at any position in Georgia for 2018, according to 247sports.

With 29 offers, it’s no surprise to see why Ohio State likes what they see in Smith. As we’ve seen many times too, those lower star rankings usually tend to increase when certain schools pull the trigger and offer the prospect. One thing is for certain though, the Buckeyes liked him enough to offer him and with Urban Meyer’s track record, that’s all that matters.

The home state Georgia Bulldogs have thought to be the favorite to land Smith, but current Buckeye commit Emory Jones certainly wouldn’t mind changing that thought. It will be a race to the finish, but with Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Cal, LSU and many more in the mix, Ohio State will have their work cut out for them.

OSU’s future is bright thanks to their backyard

One of the perks of being the Ohio State Buckeyes is the ability to hold a nationwide presence in the recruiting spectrum. Fortunately, sometimes Ohio State doesn’t even have to leave their own area code to find some of the nation’s best due to the talent within their own border.

Current 2018 commit Jaelen Gill (Westerville, OH / Westerville South) made the short trek over to the Woody Hayes facility to take in another Ohio State’s spring practice.

The great aspect of the Gill sweepstakes that certainly played a pivotal role in the Buckeyes landing the four-star all-purpose back in their own back yard is the familiarity they have with Ohio’s second ranked prospect.

Ohio State may have had Gill on hand today, but make no mistake about it, running-back coach Tony Alford and Urban Meyer cannot wait to unleash the next infamous H-back type athlete they love to showcase in the highly touted Buckeyes offense.

In-state LB checks out spring practice

Sticking with the trend of in-state prospects right in the Buckeyes backyard, Ohio State played host to Dublin Coffman linebacker Jeslord Boateng. Boateng, a three-star prospect is currently ranked as Ohio’s 34th best prospect at any position and the 61st best outside linebacker in the country, according to 247sports.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound outside linebacker currently holds 10 offers. Schools such as Cincinnati, Ball State, Bowling Green, Indiana and Iowa State have already put their hat into the ring for his services, but a visit to Ohio State shows Boateng has dreams of landing the Buckeye offer. A visit may just put him in the conversation, but Ohio State of course has a great chance at being able to land their choice at the position for the 2018 class.