Ohio State in the mix for 2022 offensive tackle

It hasn’t even been a full week yet since Ohio State landed their latest commitment, but with how well things have gone on the recruiting trail lately, that can seem like a bit of a lapse in news after just a few short days. Though the NCAA is currently in another dead period with the end just weeks away, this month has already presented the Buckeyes loads to be both excited about.

Clearly the efforts in June — playing host to over 100 unofficial visitors and over 40 official guests as well — has paid off, but the best part here for Ohio State is the momentum is still riding and the Buckeyes continue to see good news popping almost daily it seems. Ryan Day and his crew have this program recruiting at an all-time high, and that for the rest of college football should be a big attention grabber.

Buckeyes still in it for Nichols

Late last week, the Buckeyes added the 17th member of the 2022 football recruiting class when Colorado native George Fitzpatrick, a four-star offensive tackle, gave his pledge to Ohio State. A much needed addition to the offensive line haul, the Buckeyes now have two guys in the fold to help reload the trenches and certainly have spots open if the right targets also wants to join the nation’s current top-ranked class. Until then, the search continues, and the list of guys will begin to narrow for the Buckeyes as more twists and turns of the recruiting process for several coveted players continues on.

On Wednesday, Ohio State received some good news when they found its name to still be in consideration for one of its more desired targets along the offensive line when he named a final list of three schools. Narrowing it down to the final three, Georgia native Addison Nichols took to his Twitter account to share the latest update in his recruitment as a decision is becoming more near. The programs included in his top schools list were Tennessee, North Carolina, and of course Ohio State for the four-star target.

A 6-foot-5, 320 pound interior offensive lineman, Nichols is currently graded as the third best at his position in the country and the 103rd best player overall per the 247Sports Composite rankings and would be a huge addition for the Buckeyes. After what was a really solid visit for Nichols to Ohio State the second week of June, it’s not a huge surprise to see the Buckeyes still with a shot in this recruitment. It is however a little bit of an eye opener that some of the other big time local SEC powers — mainly his home state school, Georgia — are no longer being considered in this recent trimming of schools.

As for the Buckeyes chances, they are obviously still being considered. Are they the favorite though? That may not be the case. The 247Sports Crystal Ball feature is not always the end all, be all. It is however still a great depiction of what is the latest and who is the likely leader in a recruitment — especially when the prediction comes from a well-known source. On Wednesday, Director of Recruiting for 247Sports, Steve Wiltfong, submitted his Crystal Ball in favor of Tennessee to land Nichols.

Ohio State may not be the leader, but that doesn’t by any means point to them being out either. They’re in this top three for a reason clearly, and will do all they can to land Nichols if he is that high on their board. If not, the staff certainly has more elite top targets they are in on and with likely two spots up for grabs, it may come down to a first come, first serve type situation. Nevertheless, the recruiting for Ohio State is still atop of the country.