The Virginia Tech game hosted a bevy of top recruits from across the nation. We have already updated you on some of the best recruits from the 2015 class to check out the game. The coaching staff was also able to make an impression on a bunch of 2016 and 2017 recruits.
Ferns Enjoyed Everything
Brendan Ferns (right) and teammate Cole Skaggs (left).
Class of 2016 linebacker Brendan Ferns and his father took in the game in Columbus. While Brendan was unavailable to talk, his father Michael was able to share some details about the trip, which was entirely positive.
"The best part was when Mark Pantoni told us while we were in the recruiting room that Urban Meyer wanted to talk to Brendan," Michael told Eleven Warriors. "We sat down and talked with coach Meyer for a while, which was awesome, because even though there were a bunch of highly touted class of 2015 prospects, he wanted to talk to Brendan one-on-one."
The Ferns sat behind the linebackers bench for most of the game. Michael Ferns is a football coach, so he and Brendan were able to discuss the coaching that Luke Fickell had done. Given the circumstances, they liked his demeanor.
"We were impressed with how cool Luke Fickell was during the game," Michael said. "He was dealt some bad situations with some bad field position, but dealt with it in a good manner. Overall, the visit was great."
Besides the game experience, Brendan and his father are heavily involved in the academics of Brendan's prospective schools. With a positive game experience and academic questions resolved to their satisfaction, the Virginia Tech weekend put Ohio State in good position to land Brendan Ferns.
Is Columbus Hamlin's Island?
Class of 2016 defensive back Damar Hamlin was in attendance for the game on Saturday and came away more than impressed.
Talking with Hamlin earlier in the process, he had Penn State as an early favorite. And with good reason – Penn State has put a lock down on Pennsylvania. After enjoying his visit to Columbus, Hamlin made it clear he had no favorite.
"I was really amazed by the fans and how much they were into the game," Hamlin told Eleven Warriors. "Also, how the bell rang for the defense on third down, that was really exciting. I do not have a favorite in my recruitment, but Ohio State has set themselves up as a serious contender."
Urban Meyer and staff have some work to do, but they have made an impression early with Hamlin.
Hoban Duo Enjoys Columbus Experience
The Archbishop Hoban duo of tight end Jonah Morris and running back Todd Sibley were in attendance for the game as well. Last week, Birm introduced Morris and I wrote about Sibley.
Morris told Eleven Warriors that he had a good time on the visit to Columbus. "I really enjoyed the atmosphere," Morris said. "I got to meet new people which was exciting also. Overall, the visit went pretty well."
Sibley enjoyed his visit just as much. "Meeting Braxton Miller and Norris Cole was probably my favorite part," Sibley said. "Getting to see Lebron James and two former teammates of mine with Ohio State uniforms on was just amazing."
Will Speaight Be The Next Akron Product For Urban?
St. Vincent-St. Mary High School has been good to Ohio State, producing three current players (Doran Grant, Dante Booker, Parris Cambell) and a powerful brand ambassador in LeBron James. The recruiting pipeline could continue with Tyrece Speaight.
I wrote last week that Michigan State was out in front for Speaight's services, but that might have changed with a visit to Columbus. Speaight enjoyed his time, and getting to talk to two certain people is why.
"The best part of the visit was seeing Lebron and also getting to talk to Justin Hilliard," Speaight told Eleven Warriors. "Hilliard is a good player. We were talking about Ohio State and he told me to keep grinding to earn that offer. The fan base was really cool too, they made it really fun."
Cooper Enjoys Everything
Class of 2016 defensive end Jonathon Cooper has made it no secret how much he loves Ohio State. The 6-foot-3 Gahanna Lincoln prospect spoke with Birm on Sunday, sharing more about his time at the Virginia Tech game.
"The Ohio State fans are crazy!" Cooper said of his experience. "Just to be out there and be on the field was amazing. I have never been to an Ohio State game before and the experience was just great. Ohio State is on top for sure."
Cooper said he wanted to take some more visits to other schools during the season and decide on a school after the season to avoid distractions. I'm not sure there is any chance he picks anyone besides Ohio State.
Williamson Has Ohio State Near the Top
Days after receiving an offer from the Kentucky Wildcats, class of 2017 cornerback Marcus Williamson visited for the Virginia Tech weekend. Afterwards, Williamson named Ohio State as his leader.
The 5-foot-10, 168-pound Westerville South prospect enjoyed the enthusiasm that the fans brought to Ohio Stadium. "How loud the crowd was and the atmosphere was great to see," Williamson told Eleven Warriors. "I got to talk to Coach [Kerry] Coombs a bit and he finally got to meet my dad."
The Buckeyes have not yet offered Williamson. Marcus expressed what an offer from Ohio State would mean to his recruitment: "If they were to offer in the near future, it would be difficult for them to not be in the lead."
Good Enough for Gooden
Another Ohioan on hand for the game was Reynoldsburg's Mark Gooden. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound prospect is hoping to wow the coaches this season in order to earn an offer. The visit really impressed Gooden, and like most recruits, the big-game buzz helped.
"I really enjoyed the atmosphere," Gooden told Eleven Warriors. "The fans were really into the game and showed a lot of support. I got to talk with Larry Johnson for a while and that was neat."
Gooden was a West Virginia fan growing up, and his mother is a West Virginia alum. Although he has several ties to Morgantown, Gooden has no favorites early in the process.
