Buckeyes to host elite 2022 edge rusher for Penn State game

Believe it or not, the early signing period for the 2022 class is only just about two months away. As it stands right now, the Buckeyes currently boast the nation’s sixth-ranked recruiting class, and while it’s not typical for Ohio State to see themselves outside of the top five, it has a lot to do with the number of commits. With 14 guys in the class, the coaching staff is more than pleased with who is already in the fold, but know there also is some work to be done since there’s likely six to eight spaces that remain.

If you’re looking for a silver lining, Ohio State is atop of the country in terms of average player ranking with an incredible 93.92 average. Regardless of sitting at No. 6 in the polls currently, they should have no problems moving up the leaderboards if they continue to add some of the nation’s top talents as they have been doing to this point.

With that early signing period looming, Ohio State still has some big recruiting weekends ahead of them as they look to put the finishing touches on the class, but none bigger than the Oct. 30 date with Penn State. The Buckeyes will be wearing the new all-scarlet alternate uniforms, and the program is asking fans to scarlet out the shoe, but that’s just one aspect of how pivotal that weekend can be for the team moving forward.

That game will have major implications on the Big Ten standings, and a very strong possibility as to who will be in the driver’s seat in the East division. In addition, and probably more relevant in this regard, recruiting wise this weekend will be the last major recruiting pitch of the season for Ohio State. The last big time home game with a true test in terms of opponent, the staff will be playing host to several of their top targets on both unofficial and official visits.

Elite edge rusher heading to OSU for official visit

More than any other position group on the field, 2022 is in serious need of some defensive line attention. Without a commit at the position to this point in the class, it’s not common at all for the Buckeyes to be in this situation this far into a recruiting cycle. As it’s been said several times before though, the current outlook shouldn’t give any major reasons to worry. Due to who the Buckeyes are in on and also in terms of how recruitments were effected by the pandemic, it’s just been a slower process for many of the nation’s best players along the defensive line, and that’s of course who Ohio State is after.

With the Oct. 30 weekend being the next big recruiting event for the staff, it’s yet another chance for position coach Larry Johnson to host his top guys and show them exactly why Ohio State is the best fit for them. Some of the big names on the recruiting board are already planning to be in attendance, and as we get closer more prospects will add their names to the guest list. One of the latest to do so is yet another Florida superstar Ohio State would love to add to the fold.

Marvin Jones Jr. will be in attendance for the Penn State contest for one of his official visits, and is staying for an extended period. A huge addition for who the staff will be hosting, the 6-foot-5, 245 pound edge rusher will receive tons of attention while on his trip. Ranked as the No. 39 player in the country per the 247Sports Composite, Marvin also checks in as the seventh-best player along the defensive line, and the eighth-best player in Florida.

Fresh off a visit to Oklahoma where things seemed to have gone very well, Jones Jr. also has plans to visit Alabama, Florida State, and Texas A&M to round out his remaining officials. Per the 247Sports Crystal Ball, there’s currently no predictions, so one would assume this recruitment is still pretty open, but pulling Jones out of the south will be tough as it always is with South Florida guys. Still, Larry Johnson’s track record clearly speaks for itself, and having the chance to host Jones on campus could go a long way in where the Buckeyes stand for this elite edge rusher before he makes a decision likely coming in December.

Quick Hits

• Sticking with the defensive line trend, on Wednesday Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts took to his Twitter account to feature a piece on Alabama native Khurtiss Perry. A 6-foot-2, 265 interior defensive lineman, Perry is currently ranked as the 10th-best at his position and the 65th best player nationally, per the 247Sports Composite.

In regards to Ohio State, Kurelic quoted Perry as saying he is “thinking hard” about the Buckeyes and where they stand in his recruitment. Pegged as an Alabama lean in large part due to where he’s from, it’s pretty easy to see why the Crimson Tide are the expected favorite, but Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes still have some time to make an impact on his feelings before coming to a decision. Perry does boast an impressive 30-some offers to his name, so getting it narrowed down and close to a decision won’t be an easy task.