Yesterday, we mentioned that one of the country’s top interior linebackers in the 2018 recruiting class may have hinted at where he is thinking of committing to. Teradja Mitchell (Virginia Beach, VA / Bishop Sullivan Catholic) took to Twitter Sunday night to ask his followers where they thought he should continue his football career. The biggest takeaway from the otherwise playful tweet was the schools he included, or didn’t include.
Mitchell had previously released a top 5 of Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, Clemson and LSU, but his Twitter poll only included three schools: Ohio State, Florida State and LSU. While the exclusion of Alabama and Clemson was noteworthy, he never officially eliminated either school from his top group.
Now we know for sure as the five-star ILB spoke with Adam Friedman of Rivals.com Monday afternoon, and confirmed the list as his final three schools.
Ohio State has hosted the elite prospect multiple times, with his last visit to Columbus just a few weekends ago. However, also in his conversation with Friedman, he confirmed he will visit Florida State again later this month and plans to make a decision soon after.
Standing at 6-foot-2, 232 pounds, Mitchell is currently viewed as the No. 2 ILB in the country and the No. 27 overall recruit in the class.
Ohio State has once again found themselves in the running for one of the country’s top prospects in 2018—and this one may be one of the most important when it is all said and done. The Buckeyes have still yet to land a commitment from a LB in this year’s class but they are hoping that changes with Mitchell.
Mitchell told Friedman that he is “still 50/50 between Ohio State and Florida State,” so his upcoming visit with the Seminoles should be telling. Expect the Buckeye coaching staff to go all out for Mitchell in the next month.
For what it’s worth, Twitter seems to favor the Buckeyes.
Ohio State misses on LB target
As previously mentioned, the Buckeyes have yet to add a LB to their 2018 recruiting class and they missed on another good one yesterday when Payton Wilson (Hillsborough, NC / Orange) chose hometown school UNC over Ohio State, Clemson and Virginia Tech.
I'm 100% committed to UNC! #GDTBATH‼️S/O @CFB___Edits for the video pic.twitter.com/ga6kPbAYg8
— Payton Wilson (@payton_wilson21) May 1, 2017
Wilson would have made a great addition to the Buckeyes recruiting class, currently listed as the No. 2 OLB and the No. 84 overall recruit in the country.
While, the Ohio State coaching staff is likely upset Wilson chose UNC, they were also prepared. The school is actively recruiting multiple elite LB prospects including Dallas Gant and the aforementioned Mitchell.
We already mentioned the Buckeyes are heavy contenders for Mitchell and the school is seen as heavy favorites to land Gant, the No. 5 OLB in the country and the No. 4 recruit from the state of Ohio.
The Buckeyes seem to be determined to earn a commitment from at least one of these elite LBs, if not both, and they are in good position to do so.