Ohio is one of the richest states in the nation when it comes to high school football talent. More than 1,000 Division I athletes last year played high school football in Ohio, and the state produces athletes at a rate nearly double the national average. There's no denying Ohio's track record of producing large quantities of athletes.
In 2016, however, Ohio will produce more in the way of quality. The class is one of the most top-heavy classes in recent memory – particularly on the line of scrimmage – which has led to more elite prospects considering Ohio State. Here are some of the most important recruits for Urban Meyer and the staff for the 2016 class.
Tommy Kraemer- OT
As has been widely known for some time, Cincinnati Elder's Tommy Kraemer is one of the best recruits in the nation for 2016. The Buckeyes have pursued Kraemer hard since offering him in April, and he has been to Ohio State several times over the past few seasons. However, that does not mean the Buckeyes are his leader.
Many people in the know are saying that Kraemer is deciding between Notre Dame and Ohio State, and he appears to be trending towards the Irish. Kraemer was supposed to attend the Ohio State-Cincinnati game last weekend, but he couldn't make it after sustaining an injury in his previous game.
This weekend, Kraemer is visiting Notre Dame for its top-15 matchup against Stanford. Given that he has visited South Bend several times already and that Notre Dame recruits well in Cincinnati, the rumors that he will commit at this weekend's game are plausible. If he does not commit this weekend, it bodes well for the Buckeyes as he plans to visit for the Michigan game.
Liam Eichenberg- OT
Across the state, there is a lineman just as important to the class. Liam Eichenberg, an offensive tackle from St. Ignatius in Cleveland, has not been to Ohio State for a game this season, but he does wish to take a visit on Nov 29, the weekend of the Michigan game.
The unique aspect of Eichenberg's recruitment is his connection to Kraemer. A few weeks ago, Eichenberg told me he and Kraemer have talked about have talked about playing at the same school. Although he has given fewer indicators than Kraemer, that would essentially make it a winner-take-all competition between Ohio State and Notre Dame. I am not confident in where the Buckeyes stand with Eichenberg; I am picking him to sign with Notre Dame.
Jake Hausmann- TE
In the past few recruiting classes, Urban Meyer and staff have emphasized the need for good offensive linemen. The corollary to that, of course, would be the need for tight ends.
Jake Hausmann, a four-star tight end from Archbishop Moeller, is one of the best players in the nation in a position at which OSU is hurting for talent. Both of Hausmann's parents went to Ohio State, and he grew up in Ohio. Because of his ties to the university, most analysts have picked him to go to Ohio State. Unfortunately, there is a school in Indiana that would like to change that.
Notre Dame has been recruiting Hausmann hard, hosting him for multiple visits. They can point to their recent success at putting tight ends in the NFL (Tyler Eifert, Kyle Rudolph), which is undoubtedly part of their pitch. That and a lack of tight end usage by Ohio State could explain why Notre Dame has gained so much ground on the Buckeyes. All the same, I am picking Hausmann to be in Ohio State's 2016 class.
