For months, it has been clear that Ohio's 2016 recruiting class is unusually strong. As a result, the Buckeyes have handed out a large number of scholarship offers to the state's highest-rated prospects.
Even so, there are talented Ohio prospects who have not earned an offer from Ohio State. This piece will look at those who could end up with an offer and play college football in Columbus.
ETHAN TUCKY // LB
Ethan Tucky is a linebacker from Rutherford B. Hayes High School in Delaware, and he might be one of the most underrated recruits for 2016. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect has offers from schools like Boston College, Eastern Michigan, and Toledo.
The one thing that makes Tucky stand out is his speed. He earned an invite to the state track and field championships this spring, where he ran a 100-meter dash in 10.90 seconds. When Tucky camped at Ohio State in June he was the fastest linebacker in attendance, winning the "Smokehouse" race for his position grouping.
Speed is no concern; the question is if Tucky can show the coaches that he understands how to play the position. He hopes to earn more offers during his junior season, which will require him to impress with good film.
Tucky visited Ohio State in July for an unofficial visit, and he hopes to be back for the Michigan game on Nov. 29. Urban Meyer covets speed at every position, and if he can demonstrate that he has good linebacker instincts there's a good chance he will be part of the 2016 class.
GAVIN CUPP // OT
Much of the talk about Ohio's 2016 offensive linemen has centered on Tommy Kraemer and Liam Eichenberg. Talented linemen like Gavin Cupp, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive tackle from Leipsic, have flown under the radar.
Cupp has been a regular visitor to Ohio State, attending a football camp in June and visiting for the Rutgers and Illinois games. The Leipsic product has offers from Bowling Green, Toledo and West Virginia, but he does not have an Ohio State offer.
If Ohio State does not offer him, Cupp could end up at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have not offered him, but he has visited South Bend several times. Cupp has also taken an unofficial visit to Michigan State, which could also jump into the mix.
Look for Cupp to be offered when he camps again over the summer, if not before then. If he does earn an offer, I think he will be a part of OSU's 2016 class. If Notre Dame and Michigan State get involved, though, it ought to be a classic Midwest recruiting battle.
JANGO GLACKIN // LB
Another talented Ohio prospect who lacks an OSU offer is Jango Glackin, a linebacker from Lebanon. Glackin has a fair number of offers from Midwest schools like Akron, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Indiana and West Virginia. He has drawn interest from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Penn State and Purdue, but Ohio State is the biggest school showing interest.
Glackin is set to visit Ohio State for the Michigan game. It is his second visit to Columbus, after a camp this summer where he impressed on the combines.
Much like Nick Conner, Glackin may need another strong camp performance to earn an offer (I think he will if he has on). That's not a bad way to get an offer though, right?
