In-state 2019 Ohio State targets land high in the 247Sports recruiting rankings

Yesterday the Ohio State Buckeyes completed their 10th practice of spring ball, and the highly anticipated Spring Game is nearing with each and every passing day. With so many reports of how well this young team is “jelling” and the competition that is being raised, it’s easy for Ohio State fans and the coaching staff to be excited for what is happening in Columbus. It’s expected to be a pretty typical Spring Game for the Buckeyes; that means some of the nation’s top players will make the trek to The Horseshoe and see what it’s like to host 100-thousand plus fans for a glorified practice. Until then, the Buckeye staff hopes to continue their success with their relentless effort on the recruiting trail before April 15.

247Sports releases 2019 rankings

So many times in recruiting, it’s easy to see a prospect’s name and instantly associate that player with his ranking or star count. While there’s endless arguments on whether recruit rankings truly “mean” something or not, Urban Meyer has said before that if there’s stars and rankings, he wants his class to be atop of the lists. Fortunately for him and Buckeye fans everywhere, his classes have been incredible and loaded with stars.

Yesterday, 247Sports released their first rankings for the 2019 classes. While the staff is mainly focusing on 2018, it’s never too early to start planning for the future—which Ohio State does so well with. A few of the names in the early rankings are not new to the Buckeye, as in-state prospects made the impressive list.

Coming in as the highest rated in-state Ohio prospect, Zach Harrison, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound defensive end out of Olentangy is ranked as the 16th best prospect in the country. With Larry Johnson’s endless success on the recruiting trail for his unit, you can bet the Buckeyes will be in Zach’s ear constantly in the coming years. Especially with Harrison being in Ohio State’s backyard.

Also receiving high praise and making the top 247 list for 2019 is Cade Stover of Mansfield, Ohio. At 6-foot-4, 206 pounds, Stover is currently the second best prospect in the country and was recently offered by the Buckeyes on an unofficial visit on March 28. With every single crystal ball favoring the Buckeyes, this one could be just a matter of time on a decision making him the first commit in Ohio State’s early 2019 class.

Rounding out the in-state kids, Steven Faucheux is currently the 44th best prospect in the country. Faucheux is a 6-foot-5, 272-pound defensive end out of Lakota West. After unofficially visiting on April 1, the Buckeyes have started out great with Faucheux.

Also making the cut: Jowon Briggs, another Cincinnati area native who comes in as the 71st ranked prospect as a 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive tackle. With four players in the very early top 75 prospects for the 247Sports 2019 rankings, it’s important for Ohio State to build these early relationships with Ohio’s top guys and fortunately, with each one, that’s exactly what Urban Meyer and his staff have begun to do.