Four-star WR from Nevada includes Ohio State in his top schools

While the Buckeyes were locked in on their eventual dismantling of Indiana in Bloomington, the program received positive news on the recruiting trail regarding two 2023 prospects who already have Ohio State offers. Plus, an in-state underclassman has his eyes on Columbus in the coming months.

Branch down to 12

After officially jumping into the mix for 2023 four-star wide receiver Zachariah Branch of Bishop Gorman (NV) back in June when the Buckeyes offered, the program is now well-positioned in the race for the 5-foot-9, 172-pounder.

On Friday, Branch revealed his group of top schools that featured 12 programs the Nevada standout is favoring at this point in his recruitment.

It comes as no surprise that Ohio State was included in the list with a pre-existing relationship with the Branch family already formed. Nonetheless, now the Buckeyes are well aware of the competition that they will have to outlast for him, with Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC and Washington all in the conversation. As of today, the Trojans are the only program to be on the receiving end of a Crystal Ball prediction for Branch.

Branch is currently graded as the No. 44th overall player in his class. The Gaels pass-catcher also finds himself slotted as the seventh-highest graded wide receiver and the top ranked player from the state of Nevada. Of course, Zachariah is the younger brother of 2022 four-star safety Zion Branch, who is another prospect the Buckeyes are hoping to add to the fold.

Sampson sets visit

Ohio State is gearing up for their highly-anticipated showdown against Penn State in Columbus this weekend, which is setting up to be a massive recruiting event for the program. Top prospects that the Buckeyes are targeting are set to make their way to Ohio Stadium to check out the clash between the Big Ten universities, and on Sunday, 2023 four-star defensive lineman Keith Sampson of New Bern (NC) revealed that he would be in attendance.

Sampson is a 6-foot-3, 285-pounder that has already gotten his hands on an offer from head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. Ohio State is one of many programs that are tracking Sampson, as the Tar Heel State talent has scholarships opportunities from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Penn State, Texas A&M, and more as well.

The multi-sport athlete for the Bears currently falls just outside of the Top 200 in the class at No. 217 overall. Sampson will also make his way to Columbus as one of the best defensive linemen on the market as the 33rd-highest graded player at the spot.

Quick Hits

• Notre Dame sent out an offer to 2025 quarterback Ryan Montgomery of Findlay (OH) on Saturday — his sixth offer thus far. Ryan is the younger brother of 2023 four-star offensive tackle Luke Montgomery, another Fighting Irish target who is well on his way to becoming one of the most important prospects for the Buckeyes in next year’s class.
• According to Allen Trieu of 247Sports, 2024 tight end Tayvion Galloway of Unioto (OH) is “looking at visits” to Ohio State and others before season’s end. The 6-foot-6, 215-pounder visited Purdue this weekend and walked away with his first Big Ten offer from the Boilermakers.