Ohio State targets shine bright in California
Patrick Mayhorn via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Some of Ohio State’s biggest recruits dominated in Los Angeles over the weekend.
We’re fully into what is widely referred to in the recruiting world as camp season, or even 7-on-7 season. There isn’t a ton going on in college football outside of meaningless spring games, and it’s prime time for recruits across the country to prove themselves in camps, 7-on-7 tournaments, or combines.
A pretty major 7-on-7 tournament went down this past weekend, as the Los Angeles was packed with recruits for the Adidas 7-on-7 National Championship. SBNation’s recruiting director Bud Elliott was in attendance, and
his write up certainly wasn’t lacking in Buckeye coverage. Let’s look at some Buckeye targets that showed out this weekend.
Jordan Battle: The 357th ranked player nationally and the 30th safety, Jordan Battle is a player to watch this summer, as I expect him to move up the rankings. Projected 100 percent to the
Ohio State Buckeyes, Battle is one of the bigger Buckeye leans in the class of 2019.
“
Jordan Battle continues to be great, and
I wrote about him here two weeks ago. Battle is visiting
Ohio State this weekend and
Oklahoma the next. I expect him to be a Buckeye, though his dad was wearing a
Miami T-shirt on Sunday.”
One of the few players on the list that doesn’t yet hold a Buckeye offer, Ford is the 64th best player nationally and the 12th best receiver. He’s a little lower on Ohio State’s board than some other receivers, and right now he’s projected to USC, but if OSU pushes they’ll certainly have a shot.
“Orange Lutheran WR Kyle Ford hasn’t been able to take many trips this spring, due to his baseball schedule. He wants to get to Colorado again and plans to attend Oregon’s spring game. Ford also wants to take a trip to see Michigan. Ford said those three, USC, and UCLAare standing out. His tightest relationship is with Colorado coach Darrin Chiaverini. The two remaining offers Ford wants are Ohio State and Clemson. He is not planning to enroll early. Ford is a really built receiver with excellent body control.”
Ramel Keyton: Another top receiver, this Georgia product is in a similar place to where Ford finds himself. Ohio State isn’t looking to take a ton of receivers this year, and at this point, Keyton is on Ohio State’s second tier of receiver targets. That doesn’t mean he won’t move up, but at this point, he’s projected to Tennessee, Florida or Clemson.
“Marietta receiver Ramel Keyton, who stands 6’3, looked good throughout the weekend. Keyton was at Auburn last week and said that he enjoyed seeing the Tigers’ coaches in action. Keyton’s mother made a trip up to check out Tennessee over the weekend. Keyton’s working top six is Ohio State, Auburn, Miami, Penn State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. He said his tightest relationships are with Tennessee and Auburn. He wants to enroll early.”
Garrett Wilson: Speaking of receivers, this Texas product is one of the most important recruits in the 2019 class for Ohio State. This will serve as the first real battle between Tom Herman and Urban Meyer, as Wilson is the top receiver for both teams, and for good reason.
“Garrett Wilson was arguably the best receiver. The Austin Lake Travis product is so smooth in and out of his routes and skies to get the football, despite not being all that tall. Ohio State and Texas are locked in a battle, and you can expect the decision soon. If Texas’ offense can improve this year, look for the Longhorns.”
Jalen Curry: Houston product Jalen Curry, the 94th ranked player nationally, has been on Ohio State’s radar for several years. While interest has cooled slightly in the past few months, Ohio State is still very interested, and should be in this recruitment until the very end.
“Houston St. Pius X receiver Jalen “Boobie” Curry has seen his ranking fall as other prospects matured, but he is still a priority target. He’ll visit Ohio State April 13 and Tennessee on April 20. Curry said Ole Miss, Tennessee, Ohio State, and TCU are recruiting him hard. I’m interested in seeing how top-10 programs handle his recruitment and how long he’ll wait on them.”
Grant Gunnell: Could Curry’s teammate, Grant Gunnell, be Ohio State’s quarterback of the 2019 class? At this point, it certainly looks like a possibility, as the former Texas A&M commit and 53rd ranked player is Ohio State’s top priority at the position right now.
“QB Grant Gunnell, of Houston St. Pius X was one of the best QBs. The 6’6 prospect is considering a number of schools, with a visit to Cal on deck for this weekend, an official to Arizona, and likely return trips to Oklahoma State and Oregon. Gunnell is high on Ohio State and Penn State. If LSU gets its act together on offense, the Tigers could become a factor.”
Dave Bell: Another receiver, Bell is very familiar with the midwest as he hails from Indiana. Bell was once one of Ohio State’s top receiver targets, and while rumors have stated that he’s no longer being recruited, those rumors are unfounded, and Bell is still very much a possibility for Ohio State.
“David Bell, an elite receiver from Indianapolis Warren Central, could be a nice addition to Ohio State, if the Buckeyes push for him.”
Sheridan Jones: A Buckeye target for years, Jones’ jump to the 2019 class has tampered interest a bit, but Ohio State is still very much in the running. Ranked 138th nationally, I still have Jones finding his way into the class, but Ohio State will have to work for it.
“Sheridan Jones, an elite corner from Norfolk (Virginia) Maury, tells me he is focused on Ohio State, Clemson, and Alabama. Jones was lockdown all weekend, and has legitimate length at 6’.”
Quick hits
- Ohio State made the cut for Connecticut athlete Marquin Armani. He’s visiting this weekend for the spring game.
Im extremely blessed for all the opportunities given to me by the various coaching staffs and I will forever be thankful but with that being said… No Question or Interviews please
pic.twitter.com/712UHIxxhd
— Armani (@MarquisArmani)
April 10, 2018
- Sophomore point guard Zeb Jackson included Ohio State in a group of teams that have offered him or expressed interest. He has a way to go before he picks up an offer, but he’s very talented.
- UAB grad transfer Nick Norton is visiting Ohio State on April 17th and 18th. He put up 7.6 points and 4.8 assists a game last season for UAB as a starting point guard.
UAB grad transfer Nick Norton tells me
he will visit Missouri State (4/13), Drake (4/14-4/15), and Ohio State (4/17-4/18).
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein)
April 9, 2018
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