Ohio State set to visit No. 2 running back in 2021 class

Ohio State may have gotten their running back in 2020, but that doesn’t mean the recruitment train stops rolling. The 2021 class has a lot of running back talent out there, and coach Tony Alford is doing his due diligence. That includes visiting these players at their homes whenever they have an off week. Tuesday night saw Alford going up north to chat with Michigan resident Donovan Edwards.

Edwards is a very high four-star guy, the No. 2 running back according to the 247sports composite, as well as a top 50 prospect overall. There are six crystal balls in for him right now, with five going to Michigan and one to Ohio State. If you’re just comparing the success of the programs, Ohio State is a no-brainer. Edwards has said he has visited Ohio State many times, and it’s a good sign that the Buckeye coaches are returning the favor.

He’s got all the physical tools to be an every-down back, which could be a position of concern for the Buckeyes as J.K. Dobbins and possibly Master Teague will be gone by 2021 and there are some doubts about Miyan Williams’ ability to fill the role. The current scouting report from 247 likens him to Alvin Kamara (which speaks volumes about his ability to catch passes) and projects him as a second-round NFL talent.

There’s been some silly rumblings about Alford’s ability to recruit after a down 2020. The 2021 class is shaping up to silence all the haters, and Edwards could be the centerpiece of that effort.

Buckeyes offer 2022 linebacker Jaishawn Barham

The 2020 class is all but wrapped up, with maybe two spots left, and the 2021 class is developing nicely. So, the Buckeyes are starting to turn serious attention to the 2022 class. Recruiting is the lifeblood of an organization, and if OSU wants to stay a powerhouse perennial playoff contender, they can’t let much fall through the cracks no matter how far away it is.

Jaishawn Barham is the latest recruit to get a coveted Buckeye offer. He comes from Dematha Catholic in Maryland, the alma mater of a pretty good Ohio State player by the name of Chase Young. He’s already a physical specimen (they usually have to be to get an offer as a sophomore), standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 230 pounds, and already runs a 4.58 40-yard dash. That’s bit frightening for a man of his size and skillset.

He doesn’t have a composite score quite yet, but 247’s personal ratings have him as a four-star, top-50 prospect and the No. 2 outside linebacker. There will be some room for flexibility here at any of the linebacking positions, and who knows — maybe he’ll put his hand in the dirt like his fellow Marylander. Barham already has 10 offers, including the likes of Florida and Penn State.

Quick Hits:

• Buckeye coaches never get a week off. If there’s no game, it’s time to hit the recruiting trail, and catch up with old commits as well as make new ones. They’ve already been all over the map in just the few days since the Big Ten championship game, but here’s a smattering of other visits they’ll be making throughout the week.

Thursday: DT Mike Hall, S Lathan Ransom, WR Gee Scott Jr.

Friday: DB Lejond Cavazos and OT JC Latham.

There will probably be more to come, so stick with Land-Grant Holy Land as always for all recruiting news in the coming months.

• Speaking of in-home visits, Ryan Day and Mike Yurcich took the time in check in on 2020 four-star QB Jack Miller, who certainly seems excited to join the Buckeyes very soon.