Caleb Houser
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Buckeyes prepare for the first major visit weekend of the summer
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State has a big weekend ahead, hosting several top targets.
The Buckeyes currently have two linebackers committed to their 2025 class in Tarvos Alford and Eli Lee, but this staff is set on at least one more addition. After a 2024 haul of just one at the position, position coach James Laurinaitis knows depth is needed, and will use the many recruiting opportunities in June to hopefully cash in on adding another elite playmaker to the defensive side of the ball.
Visit season really starts this weekend, and the Buckeyes are thrilled to have Texas native linebacker Riley Pettijohn in town, among several other top targets. The No. 31 player nationally and fourth-best player at his position per the 247Sports Composite, Pettijohn picking Ohio State as his first summer visit expresses his interest in what the program has to offer, as well as the potential fit of playing for Laurinaitis.
The in-state Longhorns are the favorite on the Crystal Ball, but the Buckeyes won’t go down without a fight here knowing how impressive Pettijohn is. It helps seeing the current commits speaking out and doing some peer recruiting of their own to let Pettijohn know why Ohio State is the place to be. Getting him on campus is a major win, and odds are the staff will make him a priority all weekend during his stay.
There may not be another player in the 2025 cycle as important for Ohio State than Justin Hill. The No. 72 player nationally and seventh-best edge rusher in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Hill is a flat out football player in it’s purest form. From camp circuits to his overall film, the reps show what he’s made of. Being an Ohio native, it’s critical the Buckeyes are able to keep him at home for his next three to four years.
Schools such as Alabama and Oregon are trying to pitch that he won’t have a true position at Ohio State due to the lack of snaps the Jack role has been used, but the Buckeyes are pitching that they will deploy that spot if they’re able to land a guy like himself. Regardless, this recruitment needs to be won, and getting him back on campus this weekend is a big step towards doing just that.
Set to arrive later today, Ohio State will take extra time with Hill and ensure him all of the benefits of staying close to home. Set to decide on July 3, the staff is just about a month away and knows they need to keep fighting tooth and nail to make sure this ends up on their side. This weekend could be an important factor come decision day.
Ohio State’s 2025 offensive side of the ball has some work to be done. Yes, the players in the fold are what you’d want the Buckeyes to have, but more players need to be added with only four of the 12 current commits being on offense.
Another big-time player set to be in Columbus this weekend, offensive line prospect Kaden Strayhorn arrives later today, and will join several others in what is hard to keep track of in terms of players attending.
The No. 431 player nationally and the 27th best interior lineman in the class per the 247Sports Composite, the Buckeyes are no stranger to his recruitment, but don’t seem to have the advantage — at least right now. Schools such as Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Miami have stayed in it, but as it typically is on any Ohio State visit, the Buckeyes tend to impress and can leave a lasting impact on any recruit.
Position coach Justin Frye wants to add more guys to this class, and though there’s multiple names on the list he is still in good position for, it’s never a bad idea to cast a wider net.
The two five-stars were able to be around some impressive players, but it looks like a majority of the attention was paid their way as both were able to not only further express their Ohio State pledges, but also talk about guys they too are trying to add for their class.
A testament to both, Ohio State struck gold with these two and will continue to see the benefits of having the top two cornerbacks in the class not only on the field with their play, but also in the ways they’re able to attract fellow talent to Columbus.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State has a big weekend ahead, hosting several top targets.
The Buckeyes currently have two linebackers committed to their 2025 class in Tarvos Alford and Eli Lee, but this staff is set on at least one more addition. After a 2024 haul of just one at the position, position coach James Laurinaitis knows depth is needed, and will use the many recruiting opportunities in June to hopefully cash in on adding another elite playmaker to the defensive side of the ball.
Visit season really starts this weekend, and the Buckeyes are thrilled to have Texas native linebacker Riley Pettijohn in town, among several other top targets. The No. 31 player nationally and fourth-best player at his position per the 247Sports Composite, Pettijohn picking Ohio State as his first summer visit expresses his interest in what the program has to offer, as well as the potential fit of playing for Laurinaitis.
The in-state Longhorns are the favorite on the Crystal Ball, but the Buckeyes won’t go down without a fight here knowing how impressive Pettijohn is. It helps seeing the current commits speaking out and doing some peer recruiting of their own to let Pettijohn know why Ohio State is the place to be. Getting him on campus is a major win, and odds are the staff will make him a priority all weekend during his stay.
Buckeyes hosting important in-state target
There may not be another player in the 2025 cycle as important for Ohio State than Justin Hill. The No. 72 player nationally and seventh-best edge rusher in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Hill is a flat out football player in it’s purest form. From camp circuits to his overall film, the reps show what he’s made of. Being an Ohio native, it’s critical the Buckeyes are able to keep him at home for his next three to four years.
Schools such as Alabama and Oregon are trying to pitch that he won’t have a true position at Ohio State due to the lack of snaps the Jack role has been used, but the Buckeyes are pitching that they will deploy that spot if they’re able to land a guy like himself. Regardless, this recruitment needs to be won, and getting him back on campus this weekend is a big step towards doing just that.
Set to arrive later today, Ohio State will take extra time with Hill and ensure him all of the benefits of staying close to home. Set to decide on July 3, the staff is just about a month away and knows they need to keep fighting tooth and nail to make sure this ends up on their side. This weekend could be an important factor come decision day.
Touching down in Columbus in less than 24hrs#GoBucks #The25 #OSU pic.twitter.com/ZwDy8jaDon
— Justin “J-Hill” Hill (@justinnn10k) May 30, 2024
IMG product making the trek north to see the Buckeyes
Ohio State’s 2025 offensive side of the ball has some work to be done. Yes, the players in the fold are what you’d want the Buckeyes to have, but more players need to be added with only four of the 12 current commits being on offense.
Another big-time player set to be in Columbus this weekend, offensive line prospect Kaden Strayhorn arrives later today, and will join several others in what is hard to keep track of in terms of players attending.
The No. 431 player nationally and the 27th best interior lineman in the class per the 247Sports Composite, the Buckeyes are no stranger to his recruitment, but don’t seem to have the advantage — at least right now. Schools such as Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Miami have stayed in it, but as it typically is on any Ohio State visit, the Buckeyes tend to impress and can leave a lasting impact on any recruit.
Position coach Justin Frye wants to add more guys to this class, and though there’s multiple names on the list he is still in good position for, it’s never a bad idea to cast a wider net.
Quick Hits
- The Buckeyes have some star-studded players in this 2025 class, and that was on full display with both Devin Sanchez and Na’eem Offord as they attended On3’s latest recruiting event.
The two five-stars were able to be around some impressive players, but it looks like a majority of the attention was paid their way as both were able to not only further express their Ohio State pledges, but also talk about guys they too are trying to add for their class.
A testament to both, Ohio State struck gold with these two and will continue to see the benefits of having the top two cornerbacks in the class not only on the field with their play, but also in the ways they’re able to attract fellow talent to Columbus.
Continue reading...