Major 2023 Ohio State target drops his top five schools

Ohio State’s season is already a quarter of the way over, and as it gets deeper into the fall, some more recruiting happenings should begin to take place. Ohio State’s 2022 class probably has around eight spots left up for grabs before the stables are full. As the early signing period approaches, the staff will hope some of those are spoken for, but 2023 is a whole other story. With only one commit in the fold for next cycle, it’s a slower pace than normal, but on Thursday some good news was shared with the Buckeyes as they made the cut for an elite five-star talent.

From day one, the five-star in-state Pickerington native has been atop of the Buckeyes’ recruiting board, and it’s not a surprise as to why. An elite talent and playmaker all over the field, Sonny Styles has every characteristic a coaching staff would want, from size, speed, and beyond. It only makes sense seeing how athletic Styles’ family is, as most know by now, his father Lorenzo Sr. was a former Buckeye player himself. In this regard, that lineage is just further reason as to why he’s a must-have player in the class and why he’s the school’s top target.

Ohio State is in solid position so far with Styles, but on Thursday he gave an update in his recruitment when he took to Twitter to announce that he was down to five remaining schools. Making the cut included Ole Miss, Florida, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Ohio State. Truthfully, the two schools that are the highest on the list would be Notre Dame and Ohio State, but clearly the other three are here for a reason. At over 20 offers to his name and some recent ones such as Oregon coming even this week, it’s a major step for Styles to narrow it down this much and a little closer to his final call.

The No. 8 player in the country and the top safety in the 2023 class, the Buckeyes will continue to do any and everything they can to keep their in-state prized recruit at home for the next three to four years. Besides just the family connection, the Buckeyes can host Styles any time they want with him just a few mile drive to campus whenever necessary. In addition, though recruits want to see the success on the field, the Buckeyes and the safety position can show Sonny why he’s needed and maybe provide an early inside track to playing time.

This one will go down to the wire, but you have to be pretty happy with where Ohio State stands right now for the top guy on their recruiting board in the 2023 class.

Quick Hits

• Khurtiss Perry was just a topic of discussion in last Thursday’s State Secrets when he was quoted as saying he was, “thinking hard,” about Ohio State in regards to his recruitment. This Thursday, Perry was in the headlines again when he took to his Twitter to share that on Oct. 15 he would be announcing his list of the final five schools he will be deciding from.

An Alabama native, Perry is the No. 65 player in the 247Sports Composite rankings nationally and the 10th-best player at his position. It’s a safe assumption to believethe Buckeyes will make the cut for yet another top defensive player in their sights.