Ohio State recruiting: Buckeyes offer prospects during busy visitor weekend

In recruiting, the Ohio State Buckeyes don’t hurt for momentum. With all the success the program has both on and off the field, recruiting really comes naturally for a lot of this coaching staff. This past weekend though, Ohio State hosted as many of their top targets as one could imagine—and they did so at a perfect time. On Saturday, the Buckeyes had their annual Student Appreciation day, where the Saturday practice is open to the entire student body to watch. The Buckeye staff knew they would have an electric atmosphere, providing it not only for their students, but for their top recruiting prospects they’re wanting to land.

Hats off to Ryan Day and the rest of his staff as this weekend proved to be another huge visitor weekend with nothing but momentum as the final result. Ohio State already sat well with many of the guys they were able to see in person over the weekend, but now that the visits have come to an end, Ohio State could be extending their lead.

Buckeyes offer California outside linebacker

As previously mentioned, the Buckeyes not only played host to some of their top individual targets this weekend, but also prominent groups such as players from the California powerhouse St. John Bosco High School. A school that has given the Buckeyes current offensive lineman Wyatt Davis, St. John Bosco is a perennial power each and every year.

The visit this weekend made by several St. John Bosco players paid off for one in particular, as 2020 linebacker Kourt Williams left campus with an Ohio State offer. Williams, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound outside linebacker currently checks in as the nation’s 29th best player at the position, the 35th best player in an always talented California, and the 383rd best player in the country, according to 247sports. A three-star, Williams has an impressive offer list already with schools such as Georgia, USC, Oklahoma, Oregon and UCLA.

Currently, the nearby UCLA Bruins look to be the early favorite to land Kourt in their 2020 class, but if the Buckeyes wanted to be a true player for his services, this weekend’s visit and offer were certainly the first steps that needed to be taken. Ohio State’s 2020 class is very offensive heavy right now, but with Ohio State still fighting for their top linebacker prospect Mekhail Sherman, time will tell how serious the relationship between the Buckeyes and Kourt Williams truly is.

2021 QB gets the Ohio State nod

This weekend, the Buckeyes hosted 2021 quarterback Jack Brandon, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound pro-style quarterback out of Cheshire, Conn., and he left with one of those prestigious Ohio State QB offers.

An under the radar prospect, this Buckeye offer is the first Power 5 scholarship for Jack, but with Ohio State now in the fold, it’s only a short matter of time before the others come knocking at his door. Ohio State is in on some other highly touted kids at the position for the 2021 class, but Jack Brandon is now a name certainly worth keeping an eye on.

New Jersey defensive lineman receives Buckeye offer

Another offer was sent out yesterday when New Jersey native George Rooks took to his Twitter account to announce that Ohio State was the latest to enter his recruitment. A 2021 prospect, Rooks checks in as a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive tackle that has another two full seasons to play at the prep level. While he’s already impressed on the field enough to garner the attention of schools such as Auburn, Notre Dame, Penn State and Michigan, two more years to develop his game and add size will benefit him greatly.

Rooks does not have a recruiting ranking yet due to his class status, but the St. Peters Prep star is sure to be one of the higher ranked defensive tackles in the 2021 class. The defensive line is territory for Larry Johnson, so expect him to be leading this recruitment if its serious.

Enjoying Columbus and Ohio State

Of all of the 2020 prospects that were on campus over the weekend, none may have been as big as five-star receiver target Julian Fleming. No slight at all to the many other highly regarded prospects on campus, but Fleming is just one recruit that steals the spotlight.

The top receiver in the 2020 class, Fleming is not only desired, but coveted by every top program in the country—and can take his pick at any school he wants. The Buckeyes and Brian Hartline are fighting hard for him, and it looks to be paying off.

The tricky piece to Julian though is his background and how it lines up with another Big Ten foe, Penn State. Luckily, the Buckeyes and their efforts are giving them more than just a puncher’s chance.

This weekend, Fleming was on campus and mainly seen with former Buckeye 2020 commit Lejond Cavazos, a defensive back Ohio State believes they can once again get back into the fold. This visit is just another step in the right direction concerning Ohio State and Fleming and, when it wrapped up, Fleming let Lettermen Row’s Jeremy Birmingham know he’s starting to feel “at home” at Ohio State.

The work is far from over as Penn State and Clemson exclusively will try to also land Julian to their 2020 class, but where it stands now, the Buckeyes are proving their worth with the nation’s top receiver.

Quick Hits:

• Four-star 2020 receiver Rashawn Williams (Detroit, MI/Martin Luther King HS) took to Twitter to announce his final three schools. Michigan, Ohio State, and Kentucky made the cut in his recruitment with Michigan being the thought to be leader for his services.
• Four-star 2020 defensive back Ryan Watts (Little Elm, TX/Little Elm HS) cut his list to a top-10 this weekend. Ohio State made the list, but Oklahoma and Texas are thought to be the two early favorites in his recruitment,
• Four-star 2020 defensive end Rylie Mills (Lake Forest, ILL/Lake Forest HS) will make an official visit to Ohio State this April 26-27.
• In-state Ohio State offer Jutahn McClain (Fairfield, OH/Fairfield HS) will have an unofficial visit to Ohio State this coming Wednesday. McClain is the eighth best player in Ohio for the 2020 class.