On Wednesday, Arizona defensive end Elijah Rushing got the call he had been waiting for.
Ohio State coach Larry Johnson contacted the five-star edge rusher to let him know the Buckeyes saw what they needed to see to feel comfortable extending the 6-foot-6, 235-pound prospect an offer.
“He said he had taken his time to really dive deep into the film, look at the highlights and look at the games,” Rushing told Eleven Warriors of his conversation with Johnson. “He said I have made a complete 360 from the player I was last year. He said I was more intense, more ferocious, and that my techniques have gotten that much better. He and the OSU staff thought it was the right time to make it happen.”
Upon receiving the offer from OSU, one of more than 30 Division I offers he’s picked up in his recruitment thus far, Rushing was thrilled.
"It was really exciting," Rushing said. "Definitely just to hear coach Johnson say those things and speak positively of me just gave me more confidence in my game and gave me a reason to keep pushing.
“It’s definitely a huge offer. Just off the strength of what coach Johnson has done with the program.”
The Arizona standout has significant praise for Johnson, who is Rushing’s lead recruiter.
“He’s the No. 1 defensive line coach in the country,” Rushing said of Johnson. “He’s put multiple defensive players at my position in the league. Any defensive player that gets an offer from coach Johnson, it’s an honor to have.”
