Ohio State gaining on four-star Michigan RB

With a lone commitment at the position in three-star Miyan Williams (Cincinnati, OH/Winton Woods) in 2020, running back was always going to be one of the most important positions for Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class.

As a result, the Buckeyes have targeted a majority of the top prospects at the position. Whoever OSU is able to get to join the class will likely have a good shot at early playing time for the team. However, even with playing time on the table at a program that has produced some NFL-caliber running backs in recent years, the Buckeyes have not yet been able to haul in any of this cycle’s top prospects.

They certainly took a step in the right direction on Monday.

Rumblings first started early Monday morning when Allen Trieu of 247Sports switched his Crystal Ball prediction for four-star RB Donovan Edwards (West Bloomfield, MI/West Bloomfield) from Michigan to Ohio State. Following shortly thereafter, 247Sports director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong made Ohio State his prediction as well.

What followed next was a Twitter onslaught of angry Michigan fans, ecstatic Ohio State fans and many recruiting experts chiming in with what they were hearing. While it sounds like the flips are because the longtime-favorite Wolverines have started resting on their laurels as the in-state school, the door has opened for the Buckeyes to swoop in on Edwards.

While nothing is guaranteed, especially in college football recruiting, the tea leaves are starting to favor the Ohio State. However, we cannot be too quick to jump to conclusions as Edwards has yet to make the rumor a fact, and there is still plenty of time remaining in his recruitment.

What we can conclude is that the Buckeyes chances of stealing the No. 1 recruit from the state up North have appeared to increase greatly. If the team is able to continue the uptick in communication with Edwards, Ohio State may be able to not only shore up its RB position — one greatly in need of playmakers — but also pluck him from its arch-rival’s backyard.

Edwards is the No. 1 recruit out of Michigan in the 247Sports composite rankings, the No. 3 RB in the country and the No. 33 overall prospect.

Quick Hits

• Ohio State will be getting an official visit from four-star safety Derrick Davis, according to Lettermen Row. Davis, out of Monroeville, PA, visited Columbus in January alongside Buckeye commits Jack Sawyer and Michael Hall. Seemingly between Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, OSU and Penn State, Davis plans on making his OV with the Buckeyes during the summer, with another potential unofficial visit coming beforehand. Davis is the No. 2 safety in the nation, and the No. 44 player overall in the 2021 class.