One of Ohio’s top 2021 recruits has strong relationship with Ohio State

We are just a few days removed from Ohio State’s Big Ten Championship victory over Wisconsin, and I don't know about you, but I'm already craving more Buckeye football in my life. Unfortunately, we will not get to see OSU in action again until Dec. 28, when they take on Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

However, while the team must concentrate all of its energy on beating the Tigers, us — and the coaching staff as well — can spare some extra time to focus on recruiting. With the 2020 class more or less wrapped up, we can start to put more attention on an already great start to the 2021 recruiting class.

2021 safety/linebacker hybrid likes the Buckeyes

As was the case under Urban Meyer and continues to be that way under Ryan Day, recruiting the best talent in the state of Ohio is the No. 1 priority on the board when it comes to accumulating prospects. With that in mind, Ohio State is surely in on La Salle safety/linebacker Jaylen Johnson.

Johnson is the No. 10 recruit in Ohio in the 2021 class and the No. 16 safety according to 247sports own rating. Listed at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, the three-star safety/linebacker hybrid does it all for his team, making him the ideal candidate for Greg Mattison’s famed “bullet” position. Johnson is adept at almost all positions in the second and third level of the defense. In his team’s victory in the state championship game against a high-powered Massillon offense, Johnson helped keep the opposition off the scoreboard for the entire second half, mainly occupying the slot.

According to Rivals, Johnson’s relationship with the Buckeye coaching staff is one of the strongest he has built during his recruiting process. He has made a couple of visits this fall for games, and has said he loves how the coaches “keep it one-hundred” and seem to treat him almost like a son.

“Real good relationship, I love all of those guys. I talk to coach (Jeff) Hafley, coach (Al) Washington and coach (Tim) Hinton. They are always real.” said Johnson.

Johnson has set his commitment date for July 29, and will release his top 10 on May 22. Other teams seemingly warm in his recruitment include Cincinnati, Kentucky, USC, and Penn State.

Quick Hits

• The updated 2021 Rivals100 still has Ohio State target Korey Foreman listed as the No. 1 recruit in the class. It may be tough to pry the five-star defensive end out of California and away from USC, but the Buckeyes will likely go hard after Foreman and certainly have the track record to entice the d-lineman.
• Another 2021 Ohio State target earned a fifth star in the updated Rivals100, with wide receiver Emeka Egbuka making the jump. The 6-foot-1, 180 pound wideout has drawn comparisons to current Buckeye Garrett Wilson, and is the No. 1 athlete in the class according to 247sports composite.
• Ohio State’s coaching staff continues to make its rounds doing in-home visits, as secondary coach Jeff Hafley headed up north to check in on four-star athlete Cameron Martinez on Sunday