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LGHL Column: Ohio State’s recent 2024 quarterback offer looks incredibly familiar

Column: Ohio State’s recent 2024 quarterback offer looks incredibly familiar
Chris Renne
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 31 Semifinal Game Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Buckeyes recently offered five-star quarterback Julian Sayin out of southern California.

Over the last week, Ohio State has made moves in regards to their 2024 recruiting class by offering a new quarterback. The Buckeyes had the commitment of No. 1 overall player and quarterback Dylan Raiola until Dec. 17. His de-commitment was a huge loss, and was eerily similar to the abrupt ending to the Quinn Ewers-era at Ohio State, who came in with the same recruiting pedigree.

The Ewers decision led to a scramble to find a 2022 quarterback. Devin Brown ended up at Ohio State. After some early commitments fell through in the 2023 class, the Buckeye staff zeroed in on Lincoln Kienholz. Now the 2024 class is fully in the spotlight, and the Buckeyes are without a quarterback commitment just yet.

With Ryan Day, there are no questions about his ability to turn talented quarterbacks into first round NFL draft picks. Ohio State is now looking across the country for the next player in the line of succession. Last offseason, I wrote about the blueprint of Day’s quarterbacks, and how they all fit the same physical profile.

The Buckeyes’ most recent offer fits this profile, and could be the next cornerstone to the 2024 class: five-star Alabama commit, Julian Sayin (Carlsbad High School, CA).

Grateful to receive an offer from Ohio State University. pic.twitter.com/Mup4y4TsUm

— Julian Sayin (@juliansayin2) January 18, 2023


Comparing the dramatics of recent Quarterback Recruitments

Going back to the recruitment of C.J. Stroud, this is where the volatility of recruiting the position became evident. The Buckeyes long had a commitment from Jack Miller, but after a strong showing in camps as well as on the field, Stroud earned an offer. He accepted, with the rest now being history. Stroud was the first late offer and eleventh hour commitment for Ryan Day’s quarterback room.

This set the tone for the lack of fear needed in regards to signing up for a room where every player will be coming from the same recruiting background. There is a competitive edge needed, and Kyle McCord was next. McCord committed over a year before he signed, and was a cornerstone piece of the 2021 class. Looking back, this was the least dramatic quarterback recruitment the Buckeyes have had recently, and if he starts, one of the rare modern stories of a quarterback sticking it out.

After McCord, the drama begins. Quinn Ewers commits and reclassifies. After less than six months in the program, he uproots himself and leaves. There is no ill-will involved, but arguably one of the more tumultuous situations. With the re-classification, the need for a 2022 quarterback appeared, and yes this is just as confusing looking back at it all.

In comes Devin Brown, who was committed to USC, at the wire again with the visit, offer, and commitment. The same story followed the next time around. Dylan Raiola commits to Ohio State and becomes an immediate leader for the 2024 class. There was still a hole in 2023 class, and the Buckeyes zeroed in on Lincoln Kienholz.

Kienholz was committed to Washington. He still chose to run into a room with two top-50 recruits competing to start, and the No. 1 player in the country already committed – well, shortly committed.

The point of all this is to show that quarterback recruiting is different. There is no direct path, and that is why 2024 is so interesting. Losing a player the caliber of Raiola is a huge loss, but that won’t stop the Ohio State staff from going after the quarterbacks they want.

That is where Sayin comes in. Over the weekend, I took in the Battle Miami 7-on-7 quarterback, and the one takeaway was the kid from Carlsbad might be the best QB in the country. An elite tournament to me feels like Stroud’s rise at the Elite 11 or Brown’s junior year camp circuit, and the Buckeyes had significantly less time than they do now to land a quarterback.



Does Sayin fit the Ryan Day profile for a quarterback recruit?

Looking at the recruiting profiles of all of the recent quarterback recruits and commitments, there is definitely a physical profile Ryan Day looks for. The table below shows all the evidence needed about a profile, and the funny part is Raiola is the only outlier in terms of size.

Sayin comes in at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, which falls close to the average, and similarly with Stroud, Miller, and Brown. There will be an additional 15-20 pounds added at the next level.


The size profile might be more coincidental than anything, but that is definitely a reason Ohio State has zeroed in on the southern California quarterback. Looking at a few clips from the last three QB signees at Ohio State show the skillset as well. There is a need for athleticism, layering throws, and elite ball placement for the high school level.

In this first clip, you see Sayin on a naked rollout with a single route concept to the play side. This off-platform throw is delivered with enough zip to get there in a hurry, and enough touch to fall perfectly into the hands of the receiver on the sideline.

Comparing this to the clip below, McCord has to escape, but ends up in a similar off-platform throwing situation. He doesn’t have to deliver the ball with the same accuracy, but he finds his receiver with touch on the throw.


via GIPHY


via GIPHY


The skillset doesn’t end there. Ohio State quarterbacks under Day have to be able to drop the ball into a basket from the pocket. There was a feeling with Stroud at times where he had a string on the football, and was able to just land the ball in the hands of the receivers.

In this next clip, we see Sayin climb the pocket and hit the post route in stride. This is a throw we’ve seen Stroud make time-and-time again. The level of touch needed to land the ball in the hands comfortably is a skill not all quarterbacks possess.

Dropping the ball in the basket is also apparent in the clip below with Kienholz. On the throw, Kienholz has a defender trailing and a safety closing in. He drops the ball right between them. The deep ball is not a trait that every high level QB possesses consistently, but it is absolutely a bare minimum requirement in the Ohio State quarterback room.


via GIPHY


via GIPHY


Last play set we’re going to compare shows a drill that quarterback coaches love with a rail shot throw. Brown does not do the exact rail shot in his play, but there is a laser beam over a defender for a touchdown. Sayin has a legitimate rail shot throw, beating the defender before he can get back in the play with a throw with a lot of pace.

Both throws show the arm strength, suddenness, and quick releases that Day looks for.


via GIPHY


via GIPHY


Sayin matches the physical and skill profile that Ryan Day looks for in his quarterback recruits. The Alabama commit is still committed, so this will be a battle for the Buckeyes if they truly are to gain the commitment of Sayin. But once I turned the tape on, I could not stop seeing the similarities of the Carlsbad starter and the guys we’ve seen in Ohio State’s room.

Looking at the other QBs in the 2024 class, there are plenty of talented players across the country, but not many fit the profile as well as Sayin does. This to me means that Ohio State has fully squared in on their target, and it is going to be another showdown between Alabama and Ohio State.



The importance of having a quarterback in 2024

Getting to the importance of having a 2024 quarterback starts with depth. In the era of the transfer portal and NIL, keeping together any position group room is becoming more challenging on a yearly basis. Players want to reap their rewards, and the Buckeyes are fortunate to have a room as strong as they do currently from a recruiting rankings standpoint.

Keeping two top-100 players at the position is not easy, and if Devin Brown wins the job the assumption is the room will likely get thinner. That is why Ohio State took a 2023 commit even though they already had a commitment from one of the best players at the position in the 2024 class.

Going back to the class with Jack Miller and C.J. Stroud, the depth was thin, so Day added another quarterback. There is no waiting in recruiting, and the necessity of depth is still real, even if player mobility has changed how that looks.

And the final reason of importance is something Day answered very candidly last offseason. What if you miss on a guy? There has been no evidence of that so far, but how different does Ohio State football look if Day doesn’t bring Stroud in.



The Buckeyes have a long ways to go until Signing Day, and recruiting a quarterback won’t stop until then. Will the Buckeyes land Saying? I’m not entirely sure, but it shows Ohio State always has a back up plan at the most important position.

Moving down to the micro level of this recent offer and what it means for the Buckeyes, Day found a quarterback in 2024 that fits the exact profile he looks for. They will do everything they can, and with Alabama having some coaching turnover on the offensive staff with Bill O’Brien leaving, the next hire will have a huge impact on where this recruitment goes.

The Buckeyes are building their 2024 class, and the quarterback tends to always be the center piece. Ohio State has started looking and have made their first move. Now we continue to wait and find out who is next in the line of Ryan Day quarterback recruits.

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LGHL Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 26, 2023

Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 26, 2023
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


NCAA Basketball: Iowa at Ohio State

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!


For your Earholes...


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


On the Gridiron


Ohio State 2023 offensive depth chart projection: Version 1.0 (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes

Ohio State’s secondary faces important offseason of questions, development
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Mel Kiper Jr. puts three OSU players in first 13 picks of latest mock draft
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

Correct:

Yes. Next Question https://t.co/as9TFoeFXM

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 25, 2023

Joe Royer Looks to Earn More Playing Time at Tight End for Ohio State in 2023 After Suffering Injury, Personal Tragedy in 2022
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer could give Ohio State football something not seen since Chase Young
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

How Xavier Johnson returning opens up options for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

He’s a magic man.

"GARRRRRRRETT WILSON!" - @espnbob

: @GarrettWilson_V completes a miracle pic.twitter.com/NU2uSMXvUR

— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 26, 2023

Nick Bosa Named Finalist for Associated Press’ NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, Garrett Wilson a Finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors

Don’t call it a comeback: How some former Ohio State players are getting their second wind in the NFL playoffs
Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land

You’re Nuts: Which Best Picture nominee is most like the Ohio State football team?
Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land

Todd McShay’s an asshat:

ESPN's @McShay13 says #OhioState wide receiver @jaxon_smith1 is not a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft (FREE)https://t.co/5W3UCHHmvT pic.twitter.com/9rwa4bgHrL

— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) January 26, 2023

On the Hardwood


Four Storylines: No. 2 Ohio State women travel to No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers on Thursday
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

OSU women’s basketball team looks to rebound at IU after first loss
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch

Coach McGuff updates on Jacy Sheldon return for Ohio State women’s basketball
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

Holtmann: Buckeyes ‘just need more’ from captains Key, Sueing
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Holtmann seems to be trying to shake things up, which is good, but the team definitely needs more fire.

Just remembering Gene Brown's drive and finish from the top of the circle during the second half against Illinois last night. Feels like the #Buckeyes need more plays like that.

— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) January 26, 2023

Buckeyes say poor practices paved way for decisive loss at Illinois
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

‘I’m just so thankful’: Former Ohio State walk-on Owen Spencer appreciative of surprise scholarship (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row


Outside the Shoe and Schott


Ohio State wrestling gears up to face Michigan on Friday
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land

Partially Blind Women’s Rugby Club Player Aims to Bring Awareness to Students with Disabilities Through Sports
Jayla Vanhorn, The Lantern

1️⃣7️⃣ Buckeye squads ranked in the Top 25 this week !

: @OhioStateWHKY takes on Minnesota State Friday at 6:00 PM and Saturday at 3:00 PM

➕: https://t.co/He7w8aRjdw #GoBucks | @HondaInOhio pic.twitter.com/2XjgfEND0X

— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) January 25, 2023

Women’s Tennis: Ratliff Named B1G Athlete of the Week
Ohio State Athletics

Women’s Swimming & Diving: Zenick and Hentschel Earn Big Ten Weekly Honors
Ohio State Athletics


And now for something completely different...


Even the ref couldn’t help but jump up and down on this one.


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LGHL No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. No. 6 Indiana: Game preview and prediction

No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. No. 6 Indiana: Game preview and prediction
1ThomasCostello
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State Buckeyes guard Taylor Mikesell (24) shoots...

Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The Buckeyes face another tough test, this time on the road in Bloomington.

It’s been almost two years since the Ohio State women’s basketball team beat the Indiana Hoosiers. In the three games that followed, the Buckeyes didn’t have an answer for head coach Teri Moren and the Hoosiers, but this year is different for the Scarlet & Gray on many fronts.


Preview


Thursday had the potential to be the Buckeyes’ record breaker. A win against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday and Indiana on Thursday would’ve been a 21-game winning streak, the longest in program history.

But that isn’t happening, after Ohio State’s 83-72 defeat at the hands of Iowa. Instead, it’s now a night where the Buckeyes hope to redeem themselves following a tough showing at home.

Monday and Thursday have a lot of parallels, game-wise, for the Buckeyes. The Hoosiers are a talented top-10 team who feature stars and key role-players. While the stars for Indiana don’t shine as bright as Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark — there’s only one other player on that level in South Carolina center Aaliyah Boston — the Hoosiers still have a pair of impressive upperclassmen.

They come in the form of center Mackenzie Holmes and point guard Grace Berger.

Holmes is a 6-foot-3 junior center who plays similar to Boston. She’s dominant in the paint and still has the agility to make moves around defenders and score at a high level. Before suffering a knee injury in Jan. 2022, Holmes made the Buckeyes suffer. Holmes scored 30 points in Columbus, on top of seven rebounds. There was no answer for her within the Ohio State lineup.

This year, Holmes is back to pre-injury levels and then some. Homes averages 21.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and shoots 67.3% from the floor. The center from Maine also led the team this year on the court when Berger was out with a knee injury of her own. In the stretch of nine games, Indiana went 8-1 with Holmes grabbing four double-doubles.

That lone defeat for the 19-1 Hoosiers was against the Michigan State Spartans, a loss that gives hope to the Buckeyes.

In that game, Holmes had 32 points and 12 rebounds, but the Spartans were able to force mistakes from the rest of the team. Indiana gave away 21 turnovers in the game, and lost 83-78, although that was in East Lansing, Michigan away from the crimson-clad Hoosier fans.

Also, Indiana was without Berger.

Entering this season in Indiana, the Hoosiers were without Nicole Cardaño-Hillary, a fantastic point guard from Spain who played outstanding defense and earned a spot on the Second Team All-B1G. After Cardaño-Hillary ended her NCAA career, Berger slid over to the point guard role.

Running the Indiana offense this season, Berger’s scoring is down but her assists are up, with 5.1 per game. Berger is also hitting 52% of her shots this season, leading the only team in the Big Ten that’s shooting over 50% as a team at 50.3%.

Against Iowa, the Buckeyes suffered because on defense they left center Monika Czinano open with space to move. Berger is someone like Clark who can find those players charging into open space and send in pinpoint passes. She can also score.

it might not get more signature than that. @grace_berger34 pic.twitter.com/5af0rwoQ4V

— Indiana Women’s Basketball (@IndianaWBB) January 24, 2023

The combination of Holmes and Berger is the second straight game that will cause headaches for the Scarlet & Gray if their defense isn’t on their toes.

Monday wasn’t all bad though on the defensive front. The Buckeyes held Iowa to no points for almost six minutes in the third quarter, using outstanding defense against the Hawkeyes’ bigs.

Also, this year’s Ohio State team isn’t the same one who lost to Indiana by 20 last year. This edition is more athletic. Inside the paint this time will be a stronger group of forward Rebeka Mikulášiková, sophomore guard/forward Taylor Thierry and freshman Cotie McMahon who doesn’t seem phased by any opponent.

Last season, Thierry hadn’t established herself yet in the Nov. meeting between these two teams, and had minimal impact in the conference tournament, picking up early fouls. Thursday is the first time Indiana will face Thierry at the new level she’s reached this season.

Offensively, Thierry and McMahon were outstanding for the Buckeyes on Monday. If that continues, and guard Taylor Mikesell hits closer to her average, or rises to levels she’s shown frequently over the past almost two years, Ohio State can go toe-to-toe.

Like Monday too, if Mikulášiková has trouble against Holmes like she did against Czinano, there’s substitute Eboni Walker. The Syracuse University transfer was key in that over half a quarter pointless stretch for Iowa.

No matter who’s on the court, the forwards in the paint need to have one eye on Holmes at all times. The guards will have their hands full too. The other three likely starters can all be dangerous on any given night too.

The potential ace up head coach Kevin McGuff’s sleeve is guard Jacy Sheldon. On Tuesday, McGuff shared a positive outlook for the guard on Locked On WBB Podcast, saying he thinks Sheldon will return “very soon.” Also, when she does return, it’ll be because she’s 100%.

If, and it’s a big if, Sheldon does return Thursday, it makes life difficult for the Hoosiers. A Sheldon-led press has taken down the Tennessee Volunteers and Louisville Cardinals this season.


Projected Lineups

Lineup Notes

  • Forward Eboni Walker’s five steals led the Buckeyes on Monday vs. Iowa.
  • Forwards Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon were one and two rebounds away, respectively, from securing double-doubles on Monday.
  • Two more points for guard Taylor Mikesell gives her 2,000 in her NCAA career.

Lineup Notes

  • Indiana only averages 0.5 more rebounds than Ohio State per game.
  • Two Hoosiers average more than five rebounds per game with Mackenzie Holmes (8.3) and Sydney Parrish (5.7).
  • Indiana is the only Big Ten team to hold opponents to less than 60 points per game (59.8).

Prediction


The Buckeyes and Hoosiers are near the top of the conference standings for good reason. Although Ohio State slipped against Iowa, Thursday’s game is going to be closer than Monday’s.

Ohio State starts off strong and doesn’t have a quarter where the Hoosiers completely outplay the Buckeyes. Guard Taylor Mikesell will make up for a quiet game against the Hawkeyes and have a standout performance, scoring at least 25 points in the process.

It’ll still be tough to stop the Hoosiers for McGuff’s side. Holmes will have a double-double, but defense on the perimeter will limit shooters for spells of the game.

Thursday’s game will come down to a possession, but the Buckeyes edge the Hoosiers in Indiana. The result is a toss-up, but Ohio State has added motivation of tough showings against the Hoosiers in the past few years, like the Buckeyes win on New Year’s Eve to break a similar spell against the Michigan Wolverines.


How to Watch


Date: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Indiana
Television: Big Ten Network
Stream: Fox Sports app with Big Ten Network subscription


LGHL Prediction: 87-84 Ohio State Buckeyes


Jacy Sheldon Watch


There are only a select few people on Earth who know the status of Sheldon for Thursday. Since Land-Grant Holy Land consists of no parts Sheldon, McGuff or team doctors and trainers, the speculation continues.

Starting Sheldon after this long injury, against a team like Indiana, would seem like a knee jerk reaction unless she’s truly 100%. It’s hard to imagine that she is after wearing the boot up until Jan. 14 in Nebraska.

While it would be a huge boost for the Buckeyes’ confidence, a healthy Sheldon is more important in March than January.

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LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: Ohio State’s living life in basketball purgatory

Bucketheads Podcast: Ohio State’s living life in basketball purgatory
Connor Lemons
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


NCAA Basketball: Ohio State at Illinois

Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

At 3-6 in conference play, the Buckeyes’ next few games will either get them on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble or send them straight to the basement.

‘Bucketheads’ is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio



During episode 63, Connor and Justin break down Ohio State’s precarious position in both the Big Ten and the NCAA Tournament picture. At 3-6, a Big Ten title is clearly out of reach. But with only three games separating the second-place team and the 12th-place team, everything else is a crapshoot. Relatively speaking, any team can slide up or down the standings over the next six weeks and it would not be a surprise.

Similarly, the Buckeyes currently sit on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble as a projected 11-seed, likely playing at the University of Dayton in the first four. A few wins could slide them into a better position and avoid that situation. A few more losses could drop them off the bubble completely.

The guys close with an “Around the Horn” style whip-around, with Justin discussing every B1G team for exactly 20 seconds.



Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter:
@BucketheadsLGHL

Connect with Connor:
Twitter:
@lemons_connor

Connect with Justin:
Twitter:
@justin_golba

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LGHL Buckeyes offers new pair of prospects, five-star target updates his recruitment

Buckeyes offers new pair of prospects, five-star target updates his recruitment
Caleb Houser
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC

The staff stays hot on the trail offering new prospects in the 2024 class.

Cornerback recruiting in 2024 is going to be a major priority for this staff. Not satisfied the last couple of years with the on-field results, the Buckeyes know they have to get better in the back end, and get back to being the program that churns out NFL Draft picks at the position more than anyone else. Help is on the way in 2023, and the trend needs to continue beyond that.

Ohio has two top in-state cornerbacks in the 2024 class with Bryce West and Aaron Scott both being among the best in the country at the position. Not a guarantee for either at this point however, Jim Knowles and his crew still have plenty of work to do in order to win out in the end. Even if the Buckeyes are able to land both guys in 2024, there’s room for additional members of the class at the cornerback spot, and that’s why offers continue to be issued to new names that impress.

On Wednesday, the latest cornerback offer went out when California native Dakoda Fields took to Twitter to share the news. The No. 111 player nationally, Fields is the eighth-best corner in the class and the 14th best player from California for his class per the 247Sports Composite. Over 20 offers to his name from the likes of Alabama, LSU, Oregon, Notre Dame, Tennessee, USC and more, it’s not hard to see why the Buckeyes were next in line to enter his recruitment.

Position coach Tim Walton will have to make up for some lost time, but knowing how important corner recruiting is to the success of Ohio State’s 2024 class and the future of their defensive secondary, effort shouldn’t be an issue here.

Truly blessed to say I have received and offer from Ohio State University ❤️ #GoBucks #GoBuckeyes @OhioStateFB @CoachTimWalton @ryandaytime @GregBiggins @BrandonHuffman @RWrightRivals @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/OtbdIBGkR3

— Dakoda Fields (@dkthegreat__) January 26, 2023

Four-star running back hears from the Buckeyes


Much like the aforementioned cornerback position, the running back spot will be a big need in the 2024 cycle. After what looks to be a class without a commit at the position in 2023, Tony Alford’s job in the next year is to land one and probably two at the spot to be safe.

Where Ohio State is fortunate though is having quite the impressive room in Columbus right now after not losing a single player in the loaded with talent group. The names already on the Buckeyes’ roster have set them up very well for the 2023 campaign, but looking ahead the recruiting efforts need to pay off.

On Wednesday of this week, the Buckeyes offered their latest running back in the class with Maryland native, DeJuan Williams. A 5-foot-11, 195 pound out of St. Frances Academy, Williams already holds nearly 20 offers to his name, but is very happy to add Ohio State to his list. With Michigan, Penn State, California, Georgia Tech, Duke, Pitt, Maryland, and a host of others already in the mix, it’s likely only a matter of time before other top suitors come knocking at his door.

The No. 299 player nationally, Williams checks out as the 25th best running back in the class and the ninth best player from Maryland all according to the 247Sports Composite. Ohio State has a couple of in-state players at the spot, but again, seeing the Buckeyes take two at the position in this 2024 class wouldn’t be a surprise at all considering who could be leaving after this next season.

This likely won’t be the last running back to receive an offer, but it’s another name for now worth paying attention to.

After a Great Conversation with @CoachTonyAlford I am Extremely Blessed to receive an Offer from THEE University of Ohio State!! #GoBucks @CoachMessay @CoachJdubSFA @CoachCammm pic.twitter.com/CcA2CoYuBz

— DeJuan Williams (@D1Juan2) January 25, 2023

Quick Hits

  • Wednesday evening, five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott announced that he would be delaying his commitment and doing so until further notice. The Chicago, Illinois native was scheduled to announce his pledge next Tuesday, but has clearly had a change of plans as Jan. 31 is currently off the table.

The No. 18 player nationally, Scott is the fourth best defensive lineman in the class and the top player in Illinois for the 2024 cycle according to the 247Sports Composite. Pegged by insiders to end up at Notre Dame, the Irish cannot be feeling great about this development, but surely other programs are going to try and swoop in and steal some momentum.

Ohio State offered back in September, and if they want to be a key threat moving forward, it looks like now is the time to strike.

I’m postponing my commitment until further notice. @IgnatiusFB @CoachMmiller15

— Justin Scott (@juustinscott) January 24, 2023

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