Four-star wide receiver and Ohio State target sets decision date

It was a relatively quiet Tuesday on the trail for the home team, but still some things to discuss. Land-Grant Holy Land breaks down the latest on one of Ohio State’s top targets in the 2023 recruiting cycle. Plus, we take a look at where the future of the Buckeye program was penciled in inside the updated player rankings from one major recruiting service.

Announcement date set for Tate

As a program that has had no shortage of talent walk through the door at the wide receiver position, it should come as no surprise that the Buckeyes are in play for one of the best receivers in the class next cycle. The commitment date of four-star wide receiver Carnell Tate of IMG Academy (FL) is out, and in less than two months we will see if Ohio State is the call.

Tate will be making his choice between Florida State, Illinois, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas as indicated by his Top 10 that he revealed back in June. The Buckeyes and Brian Hartline are in a position to win this battle, but right now the Fighting Irish look to be a very real possibility for the top-10 wide receiver.

Risers, fallers in new Rivals250

On Tuesday, Rivals released their updated Rivals250 rankings for the 2022 recruiting class. Ohio State saw three of their own verbal pledges make sizable jumps on the list, with the biggest riser being four-star wide receiver Kyion Grayes, who leaped up 16 spots, now standing at No. 132 overall. The other two future Buckeyes that were elevated in the rankings were four-star cornerback Terrence Brooks, and four-star offensive tackle Tegra Tshabola. Brooks jumped up 13 spots to No. 34 overall, while Tshabola made a slight push ahead six spots to No. 129 overall.

As for the fallers on the updated order, there were a few prospects such as five-star linebacker C.J. Hicks, four-star wide receiver Caleb Burton, and three-star cornerback Ryan Turner who all saw very minimal drops.

The more noticeable tumbles in the Rivals250 were the major descensions of both four-star cornerback Jyaire Brown and four-star running back Dallan Hayden. The lone tailback commit in the class dropped 69 spots to No. 237 overall, and Brown is now slotted at No. 152 after a 22-spot fall. Not a bad source of motivation now available for these two with their senior seasons incoming.

Three members of the class in four-star tight end Bennett Christian, four-star offensive tackle George Fitzpatrick, and three-star defensive back Kye Stokes were the lone Buckeye commits not featured on the list. Four-star linebacker Gabe Powers fell six spots and a pair of skill players in four-star wide receiver Kaleb Brown and four-star wide receiver Kojo Antwi both took an eight-spot hit.

Quick Hits

• Lipscomb Academy (TN) 2024 athlete Edwin Spillman told Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors that he is “definitely planning on coming down for a game” at Ohio State this season. Spillman noted that an exact date isn’t set, but the plan is to be back in Columbus for a second time after his latest planned trip was rescheduled. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder has received offers from six programs including Georgia, Tennessee, and the Buckeyes thus far.
• It is decision day for 2023 four-star tight end Theodor Melin Öhrström of Sweden. The 14th-highest ranked player at his position is set to select one of LSU, Ohio State, or Texas A&M this morning. Despite the Buckeyes being included as a finalist, the Aggies look to be in prime position to secure this commitment.
• Four-star tight end Ty Lockwood is set to announce his commitment on Aug. 19, things look pretty good for Ohio State at the moment. He has one Crystal Ball — in favor of the Buckeyes — from Steve Wiltfong earlier this month, and will be choosing between Ohio State, Penn State, Florida State and South Carolina. Lockwood is the No. 8 TE in the 2023 class, and the No. 142 player overall.