Ohio State sends an offer to a 2023 small forward from Florida

After adding a commitment from 2022 four-star small forward Brice Sensabaugh of Lake Highland Prep (FL) last week, Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann wasted no time as he has now sent out an offer to one of Sensabaugh’s AAU teammates in next year’s cycle.

2023 SF adds Buckeye offer

It’s an on-going search for Ohio State when it comes to their first commitment in next year’s recruiting cycle on the basketball side of things. The program has already thrown out over 15 offers to prospects in the class, and on Tuesday a new name surfaced from the Sunshine State as 2023 small forward Sean Stewart of Windermere Prep (FL) added an offer from the Buckeyes.

As noted by Adam Jardy of The Columbus Dispatch, Stewart is AAU teammates on E1T1 Elite with the aforementioned Sensabaugh and 2022 four-star point guard Bruce Thornton of Milton (GA) — another Ohio State commit. While the relationship with both parties is just now kicking off, the Buckeyes could have an added advantage in this recruitment with two players familiar with Stewart set to play in Columbus.

The latest offer to Stewart from Ohio State now officially puts them in the picture for the 6-foot-7, 205-pounder. The Florida standout has also already received scholarship opportunities from Alabama, Arizona State, Florida, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Maryland, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, and more prior to the offer from the Buckeyes.

ND-OSU battle for Montgomery?

When it comes to the 2023 recruiting class on the football side of things, you could make an argument that four-star offensive tackle Luke Montgomery of Findlay (OH) is one of the most important targets for Ohio State.

By the looks of it, it’s quickly beginning to seem as if the Buckeyes will have to outlast Notre Dame if they want to be on the receiving edge of Montgomery’s commitment. According to Chad Simmons of On3, Montgomery visited the Irish this weekend to take in Notre Dame’s Top 10 matchup and ultimate defeat against Cincinnati. But the bigger news for Simmons was that Montgomery is also planning to take another trip to South Bend “soon,” which would make for his sixth visit to Notre Dame.

While their is no reason to panic for Ohio State, as all indications are that they are in very good shape with Montgomery, it is worth noting all of the stops to check out Brian Kelly’s program. Nonetheless, the Buckeyes still are on the receiving end of the lone 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction for the No. 59 overall player and the third best player from the state of Ohio.

Quick Hits

• Late Monday night, Ohio State extended an offer to 2023 offensive lineman Knijeah Harris. A four-star prospect out of IMG Academy in Florida, Harris ranks as the No. 8 interior offensive lineman in the cycle and the No. 182 player in the class overall. He already holds offers from over 20 programs, including the likes of Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and others.

• Ohio State target and 2023 five-star running back Rueben Owens of El Campo (TX) picked up an offer from SMU on Tuesday. The No. 2 player at his position now holds 36 offers at this point in the process with the in-state Mustangs now joining the picture. Owens, who received an offer from the Buckeyes back in June, is considered one of the top targets for running backs coach Tony Alford next year.
• Penn State is the latest program to extend an offer to four-star defensive lineman John Walker of Osceola (FL). Walker, a Top 150 prospect that Ohio State has already offered, is now up to 35 offers overall. The Buckeyes were able to get the 6-foot-4, 280-ponder on camps this summer for a visit.