Tomorrow night is the Buckeyes’ second night game in a row and easily the biggest recruiting weekend of the season to this point. With the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes sporting their blackout uniforms and the crowd turning The ‘Shoe to darkness, the litany of recruits on campus for the matchup with the Michigan State Spartans will surely be entertained with the atmosphere surrounding the Buckeye program.
Ryan Day mentioned several times that this test will be the biggest challenge to date, thanks in no small part to the always tough Spartan defense. And while the Buckeyes are certainly the more talented team, the staff knows to be on high alert for a challenge from Mark Dantonio’s squad.
As noted, the recruiting scene this weekend will be one for the ages and Day — and specifically Larry Johnson — are hoping that it gets started a little earlier than expected with a commitment in the 2020 class.
Later today, Jacolbe Cowan (Charlotte, North Carolia/Providence Day School) will be announcing his college decision, and all signs right now are pointing towards good news for Ohio State. If that first “boom” comes later today, it could be a great way to kick off a big time weekend for the Buckeyes, both on and off the field.
Ya, we’ll take him any day now!
Ohio State’s 2020 class looks to be nearly filled, but that doesn’t mean that Day and company are done. In fact, the remaining months until signing day will be crunch time for the staff as they look to close on an incredible first class in the Day era. The best part is that the Buckeyes’ 2020 class looks to only be getting better as they continue to set themselves even further apart from the other teams in the Big Ten.
As it stands right now, there could be a numbers crunch if the class grows to 25 or more, but as the Buckeyes have done time and time again, there’s sure to be some attrition in Columbus allowing Ohio State to take a few more studs in the current cycle.
Late Wednesday night, a domino fell that could be a step towards the Buckeyes landing yet another elite defensive back when Ryan Watts (Little Elm, Texas/Little Elm) decided to de-commit from Oklahoma. Watts, a 6-foot-3, 190 pound corner back, had been committed to the Sooners since April, but decided to step away from that verbal.
The connection to Ohio State though is why this news is worthy of excitement. Last visiting Columbus just a few weeks back when the Buckeyes hosted Miami (OH), OSU and secondary coach Jeff Hafley have long wanted Watts in their 2020 class. With his current status, that could very well be in the mix.
To get down to specifics, Watts not only visited the Buckeyes officially in September, but also made a trip to campus this past June on his own dime, proving his high level of interest in what the Buckeyes can offer. Watts has also made it known that his interest in Ohio State is very high.
In fact, Director of Recruiting for 247sports, Steve Wiltfong, let it be known that Watts told him personally that “Ohio State is in the driver’s seat” concerning his recruitment now that Oklahoma is no longer the choice. Penn State also plays a role in his status, but after cancelling his previously scheduled visit to Happy Valley due to a legitimate family situation, Watts has yet to reschedule with James Franklin’s staff.
Ohio State has all Watts could want in terms of what the program can offer him both on and off the field, but of course this recruitment is not set in stone. The nation’s 19th best corner in the 2020 class could very well be on his way to making a Buckeye pledge, but until then, Hafley and the rest of the Buckeye staff will be in his ear trying to get the four-star to commit to playing in Columbus.
If the crystal ball is any interest, the good news is the predictions in favor of the Buckeyes are coming in rapidly with his departure from the Sooners. All in all, it’s a great time to be a Buckeye.