Ohio State offers in-state 2022 offensive tackle

While some staffs around the country might’ve taken a little time to celebrate after having numerous former players get picked in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Ohio State football staff got back to work quickly trying to find high school standouts to bring into the fold for the future.

Dishing out a full ride scholarship offer to not only four-star rated West Brook (TX) safety and current LSU verbal pledge Bryce Anderson, the Buckeyes also gave class of 2022 offensive tackle Blake Miller a chance to call Ohio State his college home on Friday.

No stranger to Columbus or the staff, the three-star prospect from Strongsville finally earned his opportunity with the Buckeyes during a meeting with Ryan Day and crew.

“I was on a Zoom call with Coach Stud, Coach Day and Coach Cook. I talked to Coach Day and he said he wanted to offer me,” the 6-foot-6, 315-pound junior stated to Land-Grant Holy Land soon after announcing his offer via his Twitter page. “They said they would like to continue having me at practices and games so I can learn more about the program. I always grew up rooting for the Buckeyes like every kid in Ohio. I’ve always loved them. Knowing a team like Ohio State believes in me enough to offer me is huge to me.”

Holding early offers from over a dozen programs, Miller isn’t planing on shutting down his recruitment anytime soon, but when he does it could be a pair of rivals battling for his services.

“Michigan is sticking out as well as Ohio State but my recruitment is still 100% open. I plan on commuting late junior year or early senior year. I’m looking for a place that develops their players into men on and of the field. I want a program that not only gets their players ready for football but for life after football,” said Miller.

Having time to tune into the draft, Miller knows being coached up by a staff such as Ohio State’s could skyrocket his chances of hearing his named called by a NFL team.

“The success the Buckeyes have had is definitely impressive to me.”

Considered the 24th offensive tackle in the class of 2022, according to 247Sports, see what Blake Miller would look like in the Scarlet and Gray with these highlights of him in action at Strongsville High School:

In addition to new offers in 2022, Ohio State is still at the top of the leaderboard for many guys in the 2021 class — of which they already have the nation’s top-ranked class by a wide margin. On Sunday, another target listed the Buckeyes among his top schools, as four-star defensive end Jahvaree Ritzie put out his top five on Twitter.

The nation’s No. 10 SDE and No. 7 player from North Carolina, according to 247Sports’ rankings, has Ohio State on his short list alongside Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Currently, it appears that the in-state Tar Heels are in the lead for the nation’s No. 127 player in 2021, holding all three Crystal Ball predictions at this time. However, with the way this Buckeye class is shaping up, never assume that Ryan Day and his staff are out of the race.

Quick Hits

• Class of 2021 Ohio State running back commit Evan Pryor announced he will play in the annual All-American Bowl in January. The North Carolina native will join fellow future Buckeyes-quarterback Kyle McCord, offensive guard Donovan Jackson, and linebacker Reid Carrico at the event held in San Antonio.
• Four-star wide receiver and class of 2021 Ohio State offeree Christian Leary will announce his verbal commitment on June 6. Leary, who attends Edgewater High in Orlando, holds offers from the likes of OSU, Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn, Florida, and Oklahoma.