THE HURRY-UP: CORNERBACK JAYLIN DAVIES COMES OFF THE BOARD, AN INTRODUCTION TO RISING IN-STATE SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE END BRENAN VERNON
AN INTRODUCTION TO VERNON
Obviously, Ohio State’s top priority is closing out its 2021 class with a bang, with the five highest remaining uncommitted targets being J.T. Tuimoloau, Tywone Malone, Emeka Egbuka, Jager Burton and Davis (probably in that order).
They are also keeping a keen eye on the 2022 class, as steady and thorough film evaluation continues on that front before they are able to start making stronger pushes there.
But the coaching staff is also looking at the horizon toward the 2023 class, especially toward in-state prospects, as the relationship-building process begins very early with the best players in the state.
This weekend, we are introducing two key in-state names to get to know early on in this process, as you are likely to hear about these two players quite a bit in the years ahead.
Today, we are looking at Mentor rising sophomore Brenan Vernon, a strongside defensive end with nine offers to his name already from Duke, Indiana, Kent State, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame and West Virginia.
Vernon is a 6-foot-5, 245-pounder who has a quick get-off at the snap, great lateral quickness and great athleticism, especially for his age. There is a lot of chatter already that Vernon could be the top-ranked player in the state of Ohio by the time he is a junior or a senior, and if he does earn that billing, he would join Zach Harrison (2019) and Jack Sawyer (2020) as recent in-state defensive ends to earn the No. 1 spot in the state. Vernon says he is aware of those expectations, but he is not letting those burden him.
“I definitely feel pressure, but I like to just stay in my own little zone and just worry about myself,” Vernon told Eleven Warriors. “I try not to worry about what's going on with others in the football community. I'm just worried about myself and the work I’m producing.”
Vernon touches base with Ohio State director of football relations Tim Hinton and defensive line coach Larry Johnson every week, as he and Johnson continue building a relationship that started last summer at a one-day Ohio State camp. Johnson worked with Vernon at that camp, critiquing and correcting technique in how Vernon was using his hips and upper body, and he showed Vernon some hand-throwing techniques, as well.
Johnson and Co. have not yet offered Vernon, but it feels like it’s only a matter of time before that occurs.
And while it's still very early in the recruiting process for Vernon and he has yet to get enveloped in the craziness of it all, he is already heeding advice on how to handle himself when things do begin to ramp up. He says some weeks are more hectic than others when it comes to recruiting.
“The biggest advice I get is from my coaches,” Vernon said. “When times get rough, they'd really be the ones stepping in and getting me in a right state of mind when it comes to all this.
“They’ve said to just do your thing and let the recruiting take care of itself, meaning don't mess your head up by continuously thinking of it and stressing about it.”
Entire article:
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-an-introduction-to-rising-in-state-sophomore