In Columbus, most of the fireworks happened on July 3, as Red, White and BOOM took place downtown.
On July 4, more fireworks took place—but not in the traditional sense. The Ohio State Buckeyes picked up two huge commitments from 2020 prospects Cameron Martinez and Josh Fryar, and made the cut for two top recruits.
First up, let’s look briefly at the commitments.
Martinez visited OSU back on June 21, the weekend where tons of talent came to see what the Buckeye program was all about. Since then, Martinez weighed his options—ultimately choosing the Bucks. One of the best prospects out of Michigan, it’s a huge coup for Ryan Day and company, as they’ve proven that not only can they recruit within the state of Ohio, but they can recruit (and win) in enemy territory.
Martinez wasn’t the only out-of-state commitment. Fryar is a center, and one of the best prospects Indiana has to offer. The No. 2 overall prospect in the Hoosier State, according to the 247sports composite, there’s a lot to be excited about if you’re a Buckeye fan. In the news write-up by our own Matt Tamanini, he said of Fryar:
Since he has a multi-sport background, he could be a player who is able to play multiple positions on the offensive line
As a season progresses, line depth can become an issue if injuries crop up; and if someone is able to play multiple positions in the trenches, that could be the difference for a program to make the College Football Playoff. Having Fryar in the fold could pay huge dividends down the line.
And then there were 10
On top of the commitments, OSU made the top-10 for a 2021 four-star athlete. Kamar Wilcoxson (Decatur, GA / Stephenson) released his list of schools at noon ET.
Top X ... pic.twitter.com/wljpPNJ0jy
— (@KamarWilcoxson4) July 4, 2019
Making the cut with Ohio State were LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Clemson, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia Tech and Florida. Entering Friday, the two 247sports crystal ball predictions had the Yellow Jackets winning the commitment from Wilcoxson. However, there is plenty of time left in his recruitment, so expect all of these programs to make a run.
In the eyes of the 247sports composite, he’s one of the best athletes in the country. Ranked as the 221st overall prospect, 18th best ATH, and 18th best recruit in Georgia, it’s not surprising that over 20 schools threw their name in the hat for the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder’s pledge.
And then there were 10 (for this 4-star Ohio talent)
Wilcoxson wasn’t the only recruit to make a top schools list on Independence Day. Dublin’s (OH) own Mike Drennen unveiled in the afternoon that OSU made his top-10 list.
— Mike Drennen II (@UhhMyNameDonut) July 4, 2019
The Twitter announcement was also good news for Florida, Tennessee LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky, Stanford, Arizona State and Notre Dame.
A four-star all-purpose back in the 2020 class, Drennen is slotted as the No. 5 APB and No. 3 Ohio recruit by the 247sports composite. Early predictions in the crystal ball point to Ohio State winning out for the Dublin Coffman star.
Over 35 offers have made their way to Drennen, so trimming down the list was to be expected. Now, the waiting game begins: will Day get another marquee recruit from within Ohio’s border?
Quick hits
- On Wednesday, for-star wide receiver Latrell Neville put Ohio State in his top-10. A 2020 prospect, his commitment date is penciled in for Sept. 15.
Respect It... #TOPTEN pic.twitter.com/7tUucfyz7e
— ⁷ (@LatrellNeville7) July 3, 2019