With spring football in the rear view mirror, the Ohio State Buckeyes coaching staff has taken to the road with recruiting being their top priority. While June always provides the staff the chance to evaluate talent on campus during Ohio State prospective camps, this month is about zeroing in on guys they’ve had on their board for some time and also finding new targets that could potentially become the next great players for Ohio State. With another busy weekend for this coaching staff, it’s safe to say recruiting season is in full effect.
Buckeyes dish out new WR offer
After another successful NFL Draft for the Buckeyes receivers coach, Brian Hartline has to love where his position group is at right now. With high expectations once again for the receivers group this coming fall, it’s just another chance for Hartline and his guys to cement what is becoming a key strength for the Ohio State roster.
Having a record breaking quarterback last year didn’t hurt, but when Hartline is able to develop guys for the next level, recruits are sure to take notice—and take notice they are. In the 2020 class, the Buckeyes are already off to a great start at the position. Over the weekend, Ohio State sent out their latest offer at the position group to a guy they’d love to add to the fold for 2020.
Blessed to receive an offer from Ohio State University!! ⭕️ #GoBuckeys pic.twitter.com/IMAV7vUJ7V
— KDL² (@Klamb2_) May 3, 2019
Announcing via his Twitter account, Norfolk, Va., native KeAndre Lambert made it known the Buckeyes were the latest to enter his recruitment. A 6-foot-1, 175-pound prospect, Lambert checks in as fourth best prospect in Virginia, the 45th best receiver in the 2020 class and a top-250 player nationally regardless of position. A four-star, Lambert is most closely linked to Virginia Tech, but with nearly 25 offers, the Buckeyes and others are hoping to pry this talent away from the home state Hokies. If the Buckeyes are seriously interested, Lambert will need to get on campus to see what Ohio State is truly all about. After landing this offer over the weekend, KeAndre wasn’t done making headlines as he also earned MVP honors at Nike’s The Opening regional camp in Washington, D.C. Talented to say the least, the Buckeyes will look to make up ground in his recruitment.
2021 North Carolina native gets OSU offer
Much like the rest of the skill positions at Ohio State, when you show how well you can develop guys for the NFL, recruiting tends to come pretty easy. The recipe for success is to find elite talent and bring them to Columbus and further develop their skills for the next level.
Over the weekend, the Buckeye staff invaded North Carolina to offer another top 2021 talent. A 6-foot, 200-pound all-purpose back, Will Shipley was on the receiving end of the Ohio State offer. A Matthews, N.C., native, Shipley is already off to a very impressive prep career. Only a current high school sophomore, Will is ranked as the second best player in the state for the 2021 class, the top all-purpose back in the country, and, finally, a top-45 player in all of the country for his class. Enough accolades to impress any program, Shipley already has 20 offers.
Thank you to @OhioStateFB for extending me an offer! @SWiltfong247 @RivalsFriedman @CarolinaXposure @coachcaponewhs @BigDubFootball @brianhartline pic.twitter.com/3eW0oORFqm
— Will Shipley (@willshipley2021) May 4, 2019
The Buckeyes have had success in North Carolina before, but if they want to be a true player in this recruitment, a visit to campus has to come first. Look for the Buckeyes and Will to develop a strong relationship over the next few months. If that happens, it’s easy to believe with their track record they could really become a threat to land his services.
Quick Hits:
- Steve Wiltfong, Director of Recruiting for 247sports, submitted his crystal ball prediction for Julian Fleming, the nation’s best receiver, in favor of the Buckeyes. It’s not over yet, but the Buckeyes are a true threat and could even be his leader.
- The nation’s best offensive center for the 2021 class, Ryan Linthicum of Maryland will visit Ohio State on May 18.
- One of Ohio State’s top receiver targets for the 2020 class, Marcus Rosemy, announced over the weekend his final top-10 schools. In addition to Ohio State making the cut, Florida, Georgia, Penn State, Florida State, Miami, LSU, Michigan, Auburn, and Ole Miss are all finalists.