Future Ohio State stars shine in first U.S. Army Bowl practice
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Some Buckeye commits dominated in the first US Army All-American Bowl practice.
With Ohio State’s 2017 football season wrapped up following a dominating 24-7 win against USC, Columbus is likely already starving for more football. Luckily, multiple future Buckeyes are participating in this year’s US Army All-American Bowl.
The first practices for the event took place Monday, and due to inclement weather, the schedule was slightly different this year. Both teams in the event practiced indoors at different times, but the schedule change didn’t prevent members of Ohio State’s 2018 recruiting class from standing out.
Ohio State safety commit
Tyreke Johnson (Jacksonville, FL/Trinity Christian Academy) might have had the best practice among all participants Monday. The four-star lined up as both a safety and a cornerback and excelled at both.
Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports attended the event and labeled the future Buckeye as his day 1 alpha dog performer.
“From 1-on-1s to the team competition portion, future Buckeye defensive back Tyreke Johnson impressed with his coverage ability and physicality,”
Wiltfong said about the four-star prospect. “Johnson took reps at cornerback and safety, covered receivers and tight ends and showed a complete skill set in the secondary.”
Johnson is of prototypical size to excel at the next level.
The 247Sports Composite Rankings have him listed as the No. 5 S in the class and the No. 42 overall prospect regardless of position, but he will likely play at CB for Ohio State.
Another Ohio State commit to shine at the first day of practice was inside-linebacker commit
Teradja Mitchell (Virginia Beach, VA/Bishop Sullivan Catholic.) The four-star future Buckeye looked the part of an Ohio State ILB and appears dedicated in ensuring that future.
Mike Farrell of
Rivals.com listed the four-star linebacker as one of the players to stand out to him throughout the first day of practice.
“Mitchell looks like he’s slimmed down a bit,”
Farrell said, “and fits the mold of that inside linebacker who will fill the gap and can take on bigger blockers, as well."
Mitchell is regarded as one of the best prospects in the country and the Buckeyes have to like what they are getting with him.
The 247Sports Composite Rankings have him listed as the No. 2 ILB in the class and the No. 40 overall player regardless of position.
Both Mitchell and Johnson could likely see a fifth star added next to their names when the college football recruiting databases release their final rankings.
Another future Buckeye to separate himself from the impressive field Monday was tight end commit
Jeremy Ruckert (Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst.)
The four-star TE found himself on the receiving end of numerous throws from some of the best incoming QBs in the country, including multiple from both
Jarren Williams, committed to Miami, and
Trevor Lawrence, committed to Clemson.
Adam Friedman of
Rivals.com listed Ruckert as
one of his top performers of the event. On top of this recognition,
Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports hinted that the Buckeyes may be getting the top TE in the class.
Ruckert showed off his impressive athleticism and his sure-fire hands on Monday, which led to multiple big receiving gains. On one of those plays, the aforementioned Johnson was in coverage on Ruckert and landed a big hit on his future teammate following one of those big receptions.
Other future Buckeyes who made big plays in Monday’s practices included:
- Four-star defensive tackle commit Tommy Togiai (Pocatello, ID/Highland)
- Five-star all-purpose back Jaelen Gill (Westerville, OH/Westerville South)
- Five-star DT Taron Vincent (Bradenton, FL/IMG Academy)
- Four-star offensive tackle Max Wray (Franklin, TN/Franklin)
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