Four-star running back trending towards Ohio State

There’s still a long way to go in terms of finalizing the 2021 recruiting class, but with the start of spring practice already beginning to test the team’s depth a running back, it has become absolutely imperative that Ohio State is able to secure not just one but two big names at the position in this cycle.

It would seem like a pretty easy sell for the Buckeye coaching staff at this point. With no clear cut starter yet for even this upcoming season, committing to OSU as a tailback would almost certainly guarantee a spot at No. 1 in the depth chart if not in your first year almost definitely the second. However, while a major role in Columbus should be an appealing sales pitch for most guys at the position, Ryan Day and the rest of his staff still have to go out and get it done.

Luckily, Ohio State continues to get some good news on that front as the rumor mill continues to circulate.

Four-star running back trending towards Buckeyes

OSU has seemingly been picking up steam with nearly all of the top recruits at the position in the last few weeks — whether that be the No. 2 RB in the nation in TreVeyon Henderson, one of the best players from Michigan’s backyard in Donovan Edwards, or even Ohio’s very own Corey Kiner. However, it was a different ball-carrier who heard his name linked to Ohio State this week.

247Sports Director of Football Recruiting Steve Wiltfong logged a Crystal Ball prediction for four-star RB Evan Pryor on Tuesday. Pryor, the No. 5 RB in the country and No. 84 player overall, hails out of Cornelius, NC. With five total Crystal Balls logged for his services already, three of those five are in favor of the hometown UNC Tar Heels, but Wiltfong feels differently.

The speedy blue-chipper has been to Columbus a couple times in the past and is set to return later this month. Between the relationship Pryor has with Buckeyes running backs coach Tony Alford and head coach Ryan Day, along with the big need OSU has this cycle at the position, I think that has the Big Ten power in the driver seat for the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Pryor.

It is the second CB for Pryor in favor of the Buckeyes, with the other being from Andrew Ellis of Eleven Warriors. Interestingly enough, Wiltfong also has a CB in for Edwards to Ohio State as well. Could this be the two running backs that the Buckeyes will look to snag in this class? It would certainly make for a talented and electric tandem in Columbus.

It is worth noting that Wiltfong has been nearly perfect on his 2021 predictions thus far, hitting on 54 of 55 predictions to date.

Pryor released his top six back in February, which included obviously Ohio State in addition to Georgia, Penn State, Oklahoma, UNC and USC. The RB is still high on the Tar Heels, and has had multiple unofficial visits with the hometown program recently. However, the sentiment among those in the know is that Pryor’s camp prefers the Buckeyes, and that if he and his family go through with their scheduled visit on March 20, he could be on silent commit watch.

Now those of you who follow Ohio State recruiting closely will be weary of these types of rumors, as you should. We saw a similar thing last season with five-star Bijan Robinson, who allegedly silently committed to OSU before a late switch to Texas. However, with some saying that Pryor and Edwards would love to play together after bonding on a visit to Georgia recently and the Buckeyes looking to take two running backs, it is certainly a very intriguing situation to keep an eye on.

Quick Hits

• 2022 offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola will be at Ohio State’s spring practice on Tuesday, March 17. Hailing out of West Chester, OH, the 6-foot-6, 300-pound blocker will likely be one of the top prospects in the state once the class’ rankings are released. Jager Burton, the No. 8 offensive guard in 2021, is also expected to be in Columbus the following Wednesday.