Chris Holtmann, Ohio State await the latest on two hoops targets in the 2022 recruiting class

While the majority of the focus for Buckeye Nation was on Ohio State’s expected dismantling of Akron on Saturday, the hoops program was on the receiving end of some worthwhile recruiting news regarding two potential options as head coach Chris Holtmann looks to put the finishing touches on the 2022 class.

Latest on Mitchell, Sensabaugh

Ohio State has already compiled what currently stands as the No. 5 basketball recruiting class nationally and the top haul among all Big Ten conference mates. The quartet of pledges for Chris Holtmann includes four-star shooting guard Roddy Gayle Jr. of Wasatch Academy (UT), three-star shooting guard Bowen Hardman of Princeton (OH), four-star center Felix Okpara of Link Year Prep (MO), and four-star point guard Bruce Thornton of Milton (GA). Nonetheless, it looks like the Buckeyes aren’t closing the book on another potential addition to the class.

One player Ohio State has been pursuing in the last handful of months is five-star small forward Dillon Mitchell of Montverde Academy (FL). The 6-foot-7, 180-pounder was initially offered by the Buckeyes back in April, and even stopped in Columbus for an official visit to check out what the program had to offer back in June. Next up for the 28th highest ranked prospect in the class is narrowing down his options for the next chapter of his basketball career, and he will do so Monday afternoon when he reveals his top three.

Another Sunshine State standout that has come up as of late is four-star small forward Brice Sensabaugh of Lake Highland Prep (FL). The Orlando native is fresh off of an official visit to Columbus just a couple of weeks ago. Sensabaugh also included the Buckeyes in his top four along with Alabama, Florida, and Georgia Tech despite only being offered by Ohio State in late August. With all that in mind, the No. 75 player overall took to Twitter on Friday that he will be making his collegiate decision tomorrow.

Could good news be coming for Holtmann and the coaching staff? Stay Tuned

Kirkland down to 12

Switching gears to the gridiron, Ohio State was on the receiving end of some good news in regards to 2023 four-star offensive tackle Payton Kirkland of Dr. Phillips (FL) on Saturday. That was when Kirkland, the ninth best offensive tackle in the class, trimmed his list of 45 offers down to 12 schools that he will focus on going forward.

Ohio State will have to outlast the likes of Central Florida, Clemson, Florida, Illinois, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, and Texas A&M for Kirkland. The Buckeyes were able to get the highly-touted offensive lineman on campus this summer for a visit. Offensive line coach Greg Studrawa will need to continue building the relationship with Kirkland, and perhaps the next big step for Ohio State will be securing one of the coveted official visits that all prospects have at their disposal.

Quick Hits

• After recently hosting 2023 four-star interior offensive lineman Joshua Padilla of Wayne (OH) during the weekend of Ohio State’s loss to Oregon, it didn’t take long to get the top five in-state prospect on campus again. According to Mick Walker of BuckeyeScoop.com, Padilla (No. 194 overall) made another visit to Ohio Stadium this weekend to take in the contest against Akron.
• Another prospect that the Buckeyes hosted on a visit for the victory over the Zips was 2024 linebacker Edwin Spillman of Lipscomb Academy (TN), according to Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors. The 6-foot, 201-pounder has already been on the receiving end of an offer from Ohio State after picking it up in late June.
• One of Ohio State’s top remaining targets in the 2022 class, safety Xavier Nwankpa, will cut his list down to a top three this upcoming weekend. The four-star DB and No. 45 overall player in the cycle has long been considered a lean towards the Buckeyes, with Iowa and Notre Dame also in the mix. Those will likely be the three programs Nwankpa will narrow his decision down to, but recruiting does always have its surprises.