Ohio State’s season is over, and recruiting now returns to the forefront

It is going to be a tough pill to swallow for a while knowing the Buckeyes fell short of their ultimate goal with the semifinal loss this weekend. Losing in that fashion is a brutal blow for what could have been one of the greatest seasons in Ohio State history. It’s going to take a lot of will-power not to play the “what if” game, but knowing the direction this program is in with Ryan Day has to give you confidence that the Buckeyes will be back in the College Football Playoff very soon. What Coach Day and his staff accomplished in their first year at the helm of the program is still very impressive.

Looking ahead though to this offseason, Day not only needs to find a replacement for co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley — which isn’t new news to anyone — but now needs to find a quarterbacks coach as Mike Yurcich is reportedly leaving after one season for the offensive coordinator job at Texas. A less than ideal timeline to say the least, Day is tasked with filling two big positions not even 48 hours after the final game, and must do so with elite guys to to maintain success both in the development of their players and in recruiting.

In regards to recruiting, with the offseason now underway it will once again be a focal point for the staff. Not only for the future, but also for the present. Each year, Ohio State has a load of talent that bolts early for the NFL Draft. If Day and company want to get back to the CFP, they’ll need all of the talent they can get. Yes, the Buckeyes will once again be a premier program next season, but getting a current player or two to stay would surely increase the confidence that they could get back to where they want to be next postseason.

2021 DB gives OSU a puncher’s chance

A position of need every recruiting cycle is the cornerback spot. In today’s scheme, elite defensive backs who can play both man and zone coverage are what every defense needs to succeed. Watching Ohio State year in and year out, you see how they recruit elite talent at the position and then further develop them into NFL Draft successes. It’s been a recurring theme each season, and the latest in a long line of guys looks to be Jeff Okudah, who proved all year he’s an early first-round talent. The Buckeyes seem to find their stud every recruiting class and will be looking to do the same again in 2021.

Over the weekend, one cornerback Ohio State would love to add to their 2021 class gave the Buckeyes the nod when rounding out his top ten list of schools. Florida native Corey Collier Jr., a 6-foot-2, 170 pound CB, took to social media on Friday to name his final schools list, and making the cut in addition to the Buckeyes were Clemson, LSU, Florida, Georgia, Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Syracuse, and Penn State. A loaded top ten, Collier trimmed his list from 36 offers down big time, and with the schools listed above, you can tell the type of prospect he shapes out to be.

Currently, Collier checks in as the No. 6 corner in the class, the No. 11 best player in a loaded state of Florida, and the No. 64 player overall for the 2021 class according to 247sports. The Buckeyes offered Collier back in May of this year, and will need to get him on campus if they want to lure this southern talent away from the local schools. With plenty of time left in the 2021 cycle, Ohio State can easily make that happen. Collier just needs to look at the track record of the Buckeyes and that alone should give them a solid chance at landing yet another elite corner.

Quick Hits:

• According to Bucknuts recruiting analyst Bill Kurelic, 2022 QB prospect Tevin Carter is waiting to receive the coveted Ohio State offer. The Arkansas native last visited Ohio State the summer before his freshman season when he attended a Buckeyes football summer camp. An impressive young talent, Carter already holds offers from the likes of LSU, Auburn, Baylor, Florida State, and more. Ohio State very well could become one of the next in line if the trend continues.