Ohio State pledges get ratings bump, while staff offers a new specialist

The Ohio State Buckeyes kickoff tomorrow in another noon time contest. Even though Maryland is on the docket, Michigan is right around the corner. Fortunately, Urban Meyer and his staff seemed to have hammered home the practice of taking it game by game. As for fans, the long anticipated Saturdays are a breath of fresh air. When the Buckeyes take the field this weekend though, they’ll be in the territory of many of their top prospects in the current and future cycles. With the DMV being a hotbed for football talent, Ohio State knows they’ll need to impress not only the College Football Playoff committee, but also look to impress the recruits. Since they’ll be in coveted territory, you can bet the top prospects will be tuning in to see what Ohio State does.

2019 commits get a nice rankings boost

Sometimes, Ohio State’s current football recruiting class doesn’t get all of the love it probably deserves. When you recruit as well as Meyer and the Buckeyes have over the years, it can be easy to think that 2019 is a down year in regards to the committed talent, but in all reality, this 2019 class of future Buckeyes has tons of talent and probably even better people. It many not have the quantity as years past, but when you consider how young the current roster is, it’s pretty clear to see that the Buckeyes are expecting loads of their current players back next season resulting in a little less crowded recruiting cycle. Nevertheless though, the future is bright in Columbus regardless what many may say based on the incoming talent.

Yesterday, 247sports came out with their latest 2019 recruiting rankings. While several current Buckeye commits were in those rankings, two prospects saw the great jump in their rankings. Starting with Roswell, Ga., native Steele Chambers, the heavy-hitting two-way star was one prospect in the 247sports list that saw a significant increase in his rankings. A 6-foot-2, 215-pounder, Chambers has the first name to match his play on both sides of the ball. Whether he’s running the rock or playing linebacker, Steele’s abilities on the field are truly special and exactly the type of caliber player the coaching staff wants in Columbus.

It’s thought that Chambers will be able to come into Ohio State and basically be placed at either running back or linebacker upon his arrival to campus. Fortunately, regardless the spot he lands, the production is sure to be there. While some may think that the defensive side of the ball is his eventual landing spot, it’s important to not rule out his potential in the backfield. Even with the latest commit, Marcus Crowley, now in the fold, you really can’t bet either way with the notion that his plans are already cemented in stone. Now though, Steele grades out as the ninth best athlete in the country for his class, the 24th best player in an always talented state of Georgia, and finally, a top 247 prospect after the latest update in recruiting rankings. Highly qualified for his four-star ranking, the Buckeyes are of course excited to steal yet another Peach State native.

Another prospect committed to Ohio State receiving a rankings boost was Ronnie “Rocket” Hickman, A New Jersey native, Hickman has had a bit of a tough senior year with some injuries. Before that though, Ronnie put on a show each and every week proving just how valuable of a talent he really is. Another stellar player on both sides of the ball, Ronnie has long thought to be a safety at the next level. While he could easily slide into a slot receiver role, it’s probably a safe bet that he does in fact play defense at the next level considering Ohio State’s depth at the safety spot.

A 6-foot-1, 200-pound burner, Hickman received a nice boost in his recruiting resume with the newly updated 247sports rankings. As if it wasn’t already impressive enough, Ronnie checks in now as the eighth best safety in the class, the third best player in New Jersey this cycle, and to top it off, the 102nd best player in the entire country regardless of position. A high four-star, the Buckeyes targeted the Rocket from the get-go and it paid off big time. There’s no doubt he’s a name you’ll be hearing in the near future.

Buckeyes offer star specialist

It’s certainly no secret as to who was the true MVP of last week’s game against Michigan State. Punter Drue Chrisman was out of his mind in a defensive battle as he punted six times inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. A huge key to why Ohio State came away victorious, Urban Meyer makes no mistake in failing to preach the success and importance special teams play each week. Many times, punters and other specialists are either the hero or the zero; and while this really isn’t news, the Buckeyes may be looking to seal the deal for their next great punter.

Yesterday, per his Twitter account, in-state 2019 punter Michael O’Shaughnessy made it public that the Buckeyes were the latest to offer. A New Albany, Ohio native, Michael is of course no stranger to the Ohio State program. Ranked by Chris Sailor’s Kicking Academy as the second best punter in his class, Michael has the leg the Buckeyes have had for the past several seasons. Looking to continue that, it looks as if the Buckeyes don’t have to travel to far to find their next great punter. Michael does have interests from other schools, of course, due to his powerful leg, but if he wants to stay close to home and punt for Ohio State, the offer is on the table.

Only time will tell, but this offer may be too good to pass up.