Dan Hessler
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Ohio State need not fret on 4-star OLB commit
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Despite a recent visit to Michigan State, the Buckeyes seem to still be the school to beat for Antjuan Simmons.
Buckeye commit Antjuan Simmons (Ann Arbor, MI / Pioneer) surprised many when he decided to take an official visit to Michigan State this past weekend. While having a commitment visit another school is not uncommon in this day and age, it was reported that Simmons had not informed the Buckeye coaching staff prior to the visit, which left many questioning the strength of his commitment. But surprises are nothing new when it comes to Simmons’ recruitment.
The four-star linebacker caught the college football recruiting world off guard when he committed to the Buckeyes back in March. While the decision was not necessarily surprising, the timing was, as many expected him to visit hometown schools Michigan and Michigan State before making any sort of decision.
Ohio State has also continued to actively recruit top-level prospects at the position, most notably five-star OLB Baron Browning (Kennedale, TX / Kennedale) who is set to visit the Buckeyes for the Michigan game and plans to announce his decision soon afterwards.
Because of this, there has always been an underlying feeling that Simmons’ commitment was not set in stone. This feeling was only enhanced when the news arose about his unexpected official visit to East Lansing.
However, it seems Ohio State may not have anything to worry about, as the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder took to Twitter Monday afternoon to shed some light on the situation.
Bill Kurelic of BuckNuts went even further and spoke to Simmons’ trainer, Darryl Graham, on Monday. Graham told Kurelic that the visit to Michigan State has not changed anything and that the four-star OLB “is still 100 percent committed to Ohio State.”
While this certainly doesn’t make it official, this has to make Ohio State feel better about keeping the commitment.
Buckeyes still in play for 5-star RB
Cam Akers (Clinton, MS / Clinton) is one of the few recruits on the offensive side of the ball still in play for the Buckeyes, and the next two weeks will be telling in his recruitment.
Akers, who included Ohio State in his list of his top-10 schools back in May, is in the middle of taking his official visits. He first visited Florida State on Oct. 28 and has two more already scheduled – Ohio State and Michigan.
Akers is planning on making the trip up to Ann Arbor this weekend as the Wolverines host Indiana and will visit the Buckeyes the following week for “The Game.”
While it is obviously concerning that Akers will get a chance to see Michigan play in person two weeks in a row, the Buckeyes are still the favorite to land the No. 2 running back in the 2017 recruiting class. The U.S. Army All-American took a two-day unofficial visit to Ohio State back in March but hasn’t been back since.
Akers hasn’t provided much information as of late on his recruitment status and will likely wait until after completing both visits before he provides any kind of update. So be sure to follow Land-Grant Holy Land during the coming weeks as we follow his recruitment.
Continue reading...
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Despite a recent visit to Michigan State, the Buckeyes seem to still be the school to beat for Antjuan Simmons.
Buckeye commit Antjuan Simmons (Ann Arbor, MI / Pioneer) surprised many when he decided to take an official visit to Michigan State this past weekend. While having a commitment visit another school is not uncommon in this day and age, it was reported that Simmons had not informed the Buckeye coaching staff prior to the visit, which left many questioning the strength of his commitment. But surprises are nothing new when it comes to Simmons’ recruitment.
The four-star linebacker caught the college football recruiting world off guard when he committed to the Buckeyes back in March. While the decision was not necessarily surprising, the timing was, as many expected him to visit hometown schools Michigan and Michigan State before making any sort of decision.
Ohio State has also continued to actively recruit top-level prospects at the position, most notably five-star OLB Baron Browning (Kennedale, TX / Kennedale) who is set to visit the Buckeyes for the Michigan game and plans to announce his decision soon afterwards.
Because of this, there has always been an underlying feeling that Simmons’ commitment was not set in stone. This feeling was only enhanced when the news arose about his unexpected official visit to East Lansing.
However, it seems Ohio State may not have anything to worry about, as the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder took to Twitter Monday afternoon to shed some light on the situation.
Bill Kurelic of BuckNuts went even further and spoke to Simmons’ trainer, Darryl Graham, on Monday. Graham told Kurelic that the visit to Michigan State has not changed anything and that the four-star OLB “is still 100 percent committed to Ohio State.”
While this certainly doesn’t make it official, this has to make Ohio State feel better about keeping the commitment.
Buckeyes still in play for 5-star RB
Cam Akers (Clinton, MS / Clinton) is one of the few recruits on the offensive side of the ball still in play for the Buckeyes, and the next two weeks will be telling in his recruitment.
Akers, who included Ohio State in his list of his top-10 schools back in May, is in the middle of taking his official visits. He first visited Florida State on Oct. 28 and has two more already scheduled – Ohio State and Michigan.
Akers is planning on making the trip up to Ann Arbor this weekend as the Wolverines host Indiana and will visit the Buckeyes the following week for “The Game.”
While it is obviously concerning that Akers will get a chance to see Michigan play in person two weeks in a row, the Buckeyes are still the favorite to land the No. 2 running back in the 2017 recruiting class. The U.S. Army All-American took a two-day unofficial visit to Ohio State back in March but hasn’t been back since.
Akers hasn’t provided much information as of late on his recruitment status and will likely wait until after completing both visits before he provides any kind of update. So be sure to follow Land-Grant Holy Land during the coming weeks as we follow his recruitment.
Continue reading...