Two more top 2022 prospects list Ohio State among college leaders

After spending all weekend with family and friends you might’ve missed out on some of the latest recruiting news surrounding your Ohio State Buckeyes. Don’t worry! Land-Grant Holy Land is here to help get you caught back up with things.

Nolen names top 8

When most people were trying to make plans for their Friday night, class of 2022 five-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen was letting the world know what eight college programs are still in the mix for his long list of talents. Making the cut from around 25 full ride offers from across the country, either Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, Oregon, or USC will land the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Cordova, Tennessee native when it’s all said and done.

Just about two months after dropping his top 10, Auburn, Clemson, and Tennessee are no longer in the running for the top-rated defensive tackle and No. 2 overall prospect in the entire class of 2022, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Looked at as a sure fire first-round pick down the line, recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks had the following to say on what the St. Benedict at Auburndale product could potentially add to a college program:

“Stoutly assembled defensive lineman with college-ready size. Owns the requisite height and possesses verified length to foster more bulk addition if desired. Powerful build manifests in point-of-attack disruption. Flashes consistent suddenness at the snap and closes fast in pursuit. Shows outstanding lateral range relative to size. Punchy and physical. Motor runs hot. Strong enough to make plays through blocks. Can also run plays down from back side. Has posted outstanding verified testing numbers. Violent hands will become even more dangerous as pass-rush move set expands. Could thrive inside in a four-man front but looks to have position and scheme versatility. Among the nation’s top defensive prospects in the 2022 class. Should become impact high-major defensive lineman with high-round NFL Draft ceiling.”

Want to see what Nolen could bring to Ryan Day, and Larry Johnson’s defensive front? Check out these highlights of Walter causing havoc in the backfield last season:

Buckeyes make the cut

Nearly 12 hours later, another standout 2022 prospect also took to his Twitter page to release his top eight potential college landing spots. Naming a leader list of Ohio State, Alabama, Notre Dame, Auburn, North Carolina, Michigan, Georgia, and Oklahoma on Friday night, three-star Buford (GA) safety Jake Pope is one step closer to shutting down his recruitment and giving his word to one program.

A leader on both sides of the ball for Buford High (GA), the same program that produced current OSU offensive lineman Harry Miller, Pope rarely left the field for the state champion Wolves last season. Seeing time at safety, wide receiver, and on special teams, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound peach state junior is arguably one of the most underrated prospects in the entire class of 2022.

Watching his recruitment take off over the winter, Pope wouldn’t be the first member of his family to play football on the collegiate level. Working his way from a walk-on to seeing time on the field for Clemson, his father Brad Pope suited up for the Tigers in the mid 1990’s.

Quick Hits

• From the looks of things, Ryan Day and the Ohio State coaching staff will have their hands full with top-rated prospects once the dead period is lifted in the coming months. Playing host to numerous highly sought after recruits, you can add 2022 defensive end Marvin Jones Jr. to the list of Buckeye visitors.

Making the trek from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Columbus, the American Heritage soon-to-be-senior will be on the OSU campus on Sept. 11, when the Buckeyes battle with the Ducks of Oregon. A four-star prospect, Ohio State is up against some rather stiff competition for Jones Jr., the son of former Florida State and NFL linebacker Marvin Jones. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State (Visits Nov. 13), Oregon, and Oklahoma — where he’ll visit on Sept. 25th — are some of the offers he’s reportedly received throughout the process.

• After locking up a pledge from former Penn State guard Jamari Wheeler last week, Chris Holtmann and the basketball Buckeyes are still in the hunt to add more pieces to next season’s puzzle. Looking at the portal for more transfers, one of the top Division II players on the market is taking a closer look at OSU. Announcing his top eight, Parker Fox, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward who averaged 22 points a contest at Northern State (SD), will continue his career at either Ohio State, Vanderbilt, TCU, Dayton, Creighton, Florida State, San Diego State, or Minnesota — his home-state program.

• In other Ohio State basketball recruiting news, five-star center Efton Reid will be making his college decision later this month. The nation’s No. 3 center and the No. 23 player overall in the 2021 class, Reid has no official final schools list, but appears to be high on Florida State, Pittsburgh, Virginia and Ohio State. The Buckeyes are in desperate need of a big man, and snagging the 6-foot-11 IMG Academy product would be a huge boost for Holtmann’s squad.