Ohio State makes the cut for the nation’s No. 1 corner

Welcome back to State Secrets, where we update you on all the goings-on in the big wide (very successful) world that is Ohio State recruiting. In today’s rundown, we have a five-star cornerback from the class of 2021 including the Buckeyes in his top eight, and a 2022 scholarship offer from Brian Hartline.

No. 1 five-star cornerback includes Buckeyes in top 8

Princess Anne/VA standout Tony Grimes — the class of 2021’s top corner and No. 7 player overall — cut his top 13 schools down to eight on Wednesday. Ohio State made the cut, along with Georgia, Clemson, Virginia, Penn State, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

According to 247Sports.com, out of his 41 offers, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas A&M are the schools Ohio State need to beat if they want Grimes on their secondary. 247Sports’ Crystal Ball gives the Bulldogs an edge with 67 percent, while Ohio State has zero.

As our Gene Ross reported last week, Grimes’ decision is still a long way out (his commitment is scheduled for Dec. 1) and he still has yet to visit campus, which is a priority for the five-star.

“While Grimes won’t be able to get to campus for the foreseeable future, he remains in constant contact with OSU defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs, who visited with him at his high school back in January. Both Grimes and his father came away impressed from their initial meeting with Coombs, and Grimes’ father has stated that it is a priority for he and his son to visit Ohio State.”

As we all know, a visit to Ohio State won’t be happening anytime soon, and it looks like we won’t know Grimes’ decision until it does. But just in case Coombs does work his usual magic, here’s what we have to look forward to:

Four-star 2022 wide receiver receives Ohio State offer

C.J. Williams from Santa Ana, CA (Mater Dei) received his 22nd offer on Wednesday by the hands of Ohio State. The Buckeyes join an already impressive list of offers including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, USC, Texas, Penn State and others.

Williams told Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts that it was Brian Hartline who extended the offer, and called his relationship with the coach “very good.” According to Kurelic, Williams’ plan to visit Ohio State in April has, of course, been cancelled, but they’ve already talked about rescheduling.

Williams is the country’s No. 4 WR, the No. 5 prospect in California, and No. 31 overall player in the class of 2022.

Quick Hits

• Blake Alderman of Swamp247, the 247Sports Florida Gators’ site, caught up with defensive end Tunmise Adeleye — one of the Buckeyes’ top 2021 targets. Adeleye explained how coaches were keeping in contact with him despite the coronavirus related dead period.

”I would say some of the biggest things I have seen are doing more group calls with coaches. Coaches kind of have some breakdowns to talk about their schools. It’s been hard at times, but Ohio State had their entire coaching staff from A to Z texting me the other day. It’s hard having to text back but it is what it is and it’s a school that I like. It’s something that comes with the process, so I have gotten kind of used to it.”

In March, Adeleye told Bucknuts that Florida and Ohio State are his top schools. He plans to announce his choice on Aug. 1.

• One-time Florida commit and four-star athlete Kamar Wilcoxson listed Ohio State in his updated top eight on Wednesday night. The nation’s No. 12 athlete and the No. 31 player from the Sunshine State also included Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and USC on his shortlist.