Ohio State offers in-state linebacker

Ohio State’s linebacker play has been perhaps the hottest topic of the season among Buckeye fans. With the struggles of Tuf Borland, Malik Harrison, and Pete Werner, and of course, the comical incompetence of Urban Meyer’s best man and linebackers coach Billy Davis, people are clamoring for a change, both on the field, and in the staff.

The current team isn’t the only place people are keeping an eye on linebackers though. Ohio State has just one linebacker committed in 2019, and with a goal to land three in this class, the Buckeyes have plenty of work left to do. A few months ago, it seemed like the group would likely be Craig Young, Cade Stover and Kane Patterson, but Patterson’s decommitment and some ambiguity about Young’s position have Ohio State back on the trail looking for another linebacker or two.

It seems like they found a possible answer yesterday, when the Buckeyes offered in-state linebacker Jestin Jacobs.

This offer has been a long time coming for the Northmont High School product. For months now there have been questions about if Ohio State would finally extend an offer, and apparently they’ve seen enough to do so.

Now, is Jacobs a lock to flip? I don’t think so. He really does like Iowa, and has been committed there since May. However, if Ohio State can get him on campus (and perhaps get a new linebackers coach before signing day), they certainly have a chance to land Jacobs.

Brian Branch gets an offer

If linebackers haven’t been the worst part of Ohio State’s defense this year, safeties have been. The missing tackles, to poor coverage, and the admittedly awful schemes have all led to a serious letdown in the defensive backfield in 2018, but thankfully, it looks like help is on the way, as Ohio State offered 2020 Georgia safety Brian Branch last night.

Branch is a new face to most Buckeye fans because, well, he isn’t too well known yet by many people. He isn’t ranked by 247Sports, but that doesn’t mean he can’t play. Branch is an athletic, coverage safety with great range and solid ball skills. Ohio State is following the lead of Louisville, Indiana and South Carolina (among others) in offering him, and for good reason, because this kid can play. I’m guess he’ll be getting a ranking sooner rather than later, especially with a top program like Ohio State interested now.