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Buckeye Nation got spoiled back in March and April when it seemed like Ohio State was scooping up commitments left and right like they were free samples at the local Costco. Unfortunately, much like the availability of free samples during the pandemic, there were a a few months there where things were not so plentiful.
Now, obviously, there is very little to complain about in terms of the Buckeyes’ 2021 recruiting class. Ryan Day’s group currently sits at No. 2 in the country behind only Alabama, and he will have ample opportunity to surpass Nick Saban’s class if he can close the deal with a few remaining top targets on the West Coast. However, before those guys even enter the fold, it appears as though Ohio State is on the cusp of adding an offensive lineman from Big Ten country.
On Monday night, offensive tackle Zen Michalski announced that he would be decommitting from Louisville as he explores other options in his recruitment. Now, this was certainly of great importance to Ohio State, as the two parties have struck up quite the relationship in the last few weeks.
Despite being just a three-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite, 247Sports’ own ratings have Michalski listed as a four-star prospect, and the No. 33 OT in the nation overall. He has really seen his recruitment take off recently, and it is entirely possible if not probable that he will wind up earning that fourth star in his Composite rating before this cycle is over. Clearly, Ohio State sees something in him that others do not yet, and as is usually the case in these types of recruitments, once that OSU offer rolls in, other big schools come knocking.
Position coach Greg Studrawa first offered Michalski back at the beginning of September, and since then both Penn State and Florida State have sent offers his way. Overall, Michalski now has offers from at least 24 different schools, including the likes of Cincinnati, Indiana, Michigan State, Iowa State, Syracuse, and others. However, the one that has made the biggest impact thus far is Ohio State.
At this point, it seems like all but a foregone conclusion that Michalski will wind up a member of the Buckeyes’ class. Since his decommitment on Monday, there have been a whopping 10 (!!) Crystal Ball predictions in favor of Ohio State — usually a pretty good indicator of what is on the horizon. Included in those predictions are two incredibly well-trusted national recruiting experts in Allen Trieu and Steve Wiltfong, as well as OSU insider Bill Kurelic.
In addition, according to Lettermen Row, he and his father made the trip to Columbus this past weekend to get a feel for campus, and were “blown away” with everything the city has to offer. While they didn’t get to speak with coaches or tour the facilities as a result of the NCAA dead period, he was able to see the sights and better understand the school he will potentially be enrolling at.
If that isn’t a good enough sign of things to come for you, just take a look at how some of Ohio State’s current 2021 commits have reacted to Monday’s news:
boom coming soon ? https://t.co/RHEuFKpCHU
— jordan hancock (@jordanhancock_7) September 29, 2020
Future teammates? #GoBucks https://t.co/KrGIm73row
— Ben Christman (@BenChristman70) September 29, 2020
Make that move bro!!!!!!! https://t.co/7pqezvWG09
— TreVeyon Henderson (@TreVeyonH4) September 29, 2020
Michalski’s commitment could come at any time, and so be sure to check back in here at Land-Grant Holy Land for any further updates.