Everyone knows the Buckeyes have landed a handful of commits despite the times, and the momentum doesn’t look to be stopping any time soon. Without spring football, recruiting is taking priority for the staff. The benefits have presented themselves a few times already, and it’s looking as if this type of success on the trail could not only stick around for a while, but potentially land Ohio State that infamous recruiting crown when all is said and done with this class of 2021.
There’s a long way to go before that’s reality, but the current status of this class is trending in the right direction.
A two-back system for the ages?
Without rehashing too much of 2020, running back coach Tony Alford has taken more than enough flak with the recruiting “misses” of last year’s class. Those negative days are trending away, and the first reasoning for that was when Evan Pryor, the nation’s sixth best running back, made his pledge to the Buckeyes this past Monday.
Landing an elite running back like Pryor takes some of the pressure off Alford and the staff as a whole, but Ohio State has bigger goals in store than to be content right now. Those woes in 2020 have the Buckeye staff wanting to have two running backs in the fold for 2021, and while landing two elite players at the same position is usually pretty tough, Ohio State looks to have everything working in their favor with not only just another talented prospect, but the crown jewel of running backs in the current cycle.
TreVeyon Henderson is the nation’s top-ranked running back according to 247Sports’ rankings, and a prospect that has been trending towards Ohio State fairly heavily. In fact, with all of the positive news surrounding the Buckeyes with their multiple commits this past week, it was Henderson making a splash in the headlines as several predictions on the 247Sports Crystal Ball were made in favor of Ohio State.
The 6-foot, 195-pound back has made it apparent that being a part of a two-back system in college would not negatively impact his decision at all. In fact, it is an aspect he welcomes as it would help him to shoulder the load of being a big-time college running back while keeping some extra tread on the tires for his ultimate goal of playing in the NFL.
When it comes to Henderson, he has it all. Power, speed, agility, and not to mention is also an incredibly successful student in the classroom. Henderson is the type of player you want to have in your program both on and off the field, and with 40 scholarship offers, everyone has made that really clear.
In terms of the Buckeyes, landing this elite talent is seemingly becoming more and more of a real possibility with each passing day. In fact, 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong let it be known just yesterday that he believes Henderson is continuing to trend towards Columbus, and if he was asked to predict the next in-line to commit in regards to Ohio State, he would go with Henderson.
The RB may have just come out with his final nine schools on Monday, but if everything that is currently happening falls in line, it looks as if the Buckeyes are the clear leader for the nation’s best running back. As Pryor and Henderson have both made it clear that two-back systems are good with their mindsets, landing this elite combo would do more than forgive last year’s recruiting misses. You never know when this will be a done deal, but the Buckeyes sit very well with their current status.
Ohio State offers Florida 2022 RB
Sticking with the running back position, it’s never too early to get a head start on recruiting the best talent in the country. With it being a premier position, developing relationships with these players right away is top priority. Ohio State was active yesterday as they sent out their latest offer to 2022 running back prospect Terrance Gibbs. A 6-foot, 190-pound back out of the Orlando area, Gibbs is only a high school sophomore, but is clearly the real deal. Currently, Gibbs boasts double-digit offers from the likes of Florida, Georgia, Miami, Florida State, Tennessee, and others with the Buckeyes being the most recent.
Extremely blessed to receive an offer from Ohio State University ! @CoachTonyAlford @Rivals @247Sports pic.twitter.com/zxbgBv6DvJ
— Terrance (@mTerrance122) March 19, 2020
As a member of the 2022 class, Gibbs does not yet hold a composite ranking, but according to 247Sports early grade outs, the sophomore checks in as the No. 20 running back in the class and the 25th best player in an always loaded state of Florida. Far too early to name a leader for Gibbs, this is likely one of a few running backs the Buckeyes will target in the 2022 class. But as stated before, laying the groundwork and building a relationship starts now.
Quick Hits:
- Michigan native three-star offensive tackle, Caleb Tiernan (Livonia, Michigan/Detroit Country Day) released his top four schools yesterday. Including the Buckeyes, Caleb also listed Penn State, Michigan, and Northwestern as the remaining schools he is down to in his recruitment. Tiernan currently checks in as No. 11 prospect in Michigan for 2021.
Blessed for this opportunity! Thank you to all the coaches for making this an amazing experience. With that being said these are my top 4 schools Recruitment open. Edit: @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/b1zsotWlzE
— Caleb Tiernan (@CalebT00) March 19, 2020