THE HURRY UP: DEFENSIVE END COMMIT TYLER FRIDAY DISCUSSES DECISION WHILE CHRISTOPHER OATS RE-EMERGES AS POSSIBLE LATE-CYCLE ADDITION
WORKING HIS WAY BACK
All that said, Ohio State is far from finished with its 2018 recruiting class.
The Buckeyes are set to welcome Maryland four-star offensive tackle Rasheed Walker and New Jersey four-star defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste to campus for their official visits this weekend. Neither is expected to make a decision on the future this weekend, but will both likely hold off until the traditional National Signing Day on Feb. 7.
The same can be said for Cincinnati Winton Woods four-star linebacker Christopher Oats, who was among the staff's top targets at the position until his academics got in the way. As long as he's corrected that, though, I expect he'll be a Buckeye when everything is said and done.
After sources close to the program told
Eleven Warriors the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Oats is eyeing an official visit on the weekend of Feb. 2-4, I placed by 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction in favor of Ohio State late last night. If that visit happens, it means he's either already in good academic standing or the staff feels he's on track to qualify.
Oats was one of the in-state prospects head coach Urban Meyer alluded to during his Early Signing Period press conference last month when asked about the balance between recruiting nationally and locally.
“We had some academic issues this year with some of the Ohio kids,” he said. “Yeah, that's a problem. What's the solution? Do the very best we can.”
Oats reportedly tried to commit to the Buckeyes in June, but was asked to hold off while he improved his grades. The staff has continued to keep in contact with him in the meantime, even with three other linebackers in the fold.
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