Buckeye Bash set to host huge target as a late addition to the guest list

In the words of Ohio State’s strength coach Mickey Marotti — it is time!

Buckeye football is back in a little over 24 hours, and that is easily the greatest news you will read all day. After the longest offseason ever, Ohio State is once again set to take the field for their 2020 campaign when Nebraska comes to town.

Not only will this weekend be memorable for the current players. With the 2021 class’s Buckeye Bash taking place this weekend, the commits as well as the coaching staff — from afar — are hoping this get together will have a lasting impression on the highly-touted targets the Buckeyes are still hoping to add.

Big-time visitor heading to Columbus

Ohio State’s 2021 commits have done a terrific job setting up this weekend’s Buckeye Bash. An event that is solely being put on by the recruits in this class, and mainly Jack Sawyer for hosting, the Buckeyes coaching staff has to be proud of what their guys are doing in their place since they are unable to recruit in-person with the current NCAA recruiting dead period.

While it certainly hasn’t slowed down the staff’s recruiting efforts or success, this Buckeye Bash is still impressive, and could end up playing a pivotal role moving forward as Ohio State looks to lock up the few remaining spots in their current 2021 cycle.

One target that was not expected to make the trek to Columbus is Pennsylvania native Derrick Davis Jr. A name not new to Buckeye recruiting followers, Davis is the No. 2-ranked safety in the country for the 2021 class, and a player Ohio State has been recruiting for three years now.

The main issue with Davis is not the relationships with Ohio State, but the fact that there are currently six commits in the 2021 class alone who will wind up in the defensive secondary once they get to Columbus. A crowded position group to say the least, it’s not really a threat of competition that could potentially leave Davis out of the class, but instead wanting to make a decision where it’s less crowded.

Until yesterday, it was a forgone conclusion that Davis was not going to be in town for the Buckeye Bash, and instead planned to visit Georgia on their bye week — making Ohio State’s chances at landing him look slim. However, when news broke out that Davis is heading to Columbus instead, the spark was lit, and there is new reason to believe the Buckeyes have a real shot here with the talented safety.

Davis has been clear in his interest in the Buckeyes from the get go. Having recruited him since his freshman season and through three different defensive back coaches, it’s not hard to see how highly Ohio State thinks of the No. 53 player in the country. Set to announce his commitment on Nov. 7, this weekend is going to yet another trip for Davis to Ohio State, and could be one that helps seal the deal.

Though there’s six players committed in the defensive secondary as previously said, Davis would be welcomed with open arms, and would make for a huge “BOOM”. Here’s to hoping this latest visit is one that pays off in the end as he get’s a real chance to build a relationship with the current commits and see how he fits in.

Another early enrollee for 2021

One of the most advantageous things a high profile recruit can do is enroll early. In the past, the Buckeyes have had numerous players enroll early and it certainly helps to give those guys a jumpstart into the college football life and what is expected — not to mention the extra time learning the overall scheme and the ability to work every day with a college strength staff.

Yesterday, the Buckeyes got word that they would be having another one of their 2021 commits enrolling early, as Tyleik Williams announced via his Twitter account that he would be graduating and joining Ohio State early rather than in the summer of 2021. A great outcome for both Williams and the Buckeyes, this gives the talented DT the chance to get closer to being game ready sooner in the process.

Ranked as the nation’s No. 10 defensive tackle prospect for the 2021 class, Williams getting to campus sooner than required is a huge benefit for position coach Larry Johnson, as defensive tackle is a position of need when it comes to depth. The extra time under Johnson will be instrumental in Williams’ development, and knowing how talented he already is before stepping foot on campus, the potential is exciting to say the least.