Ohio State-Michigan: college sports' greatest rivalry, even after Michigan's attempts to sabotage it through putrid play. It's an important weekend for two states, two schools, and two recruiting classes.
The Game is one of the biggest recruiting events of the year for the Buckeyes and Wolverines. As Brady Hoke and his lame duck coaching staff watch Michigan's class of 2015 disintegrate, Ohio State coaches are preparing for a postseason run. The programs are headed in different directions, which has led to a larger-than-average visitor list for Saturday.
This weekend, Ohio State will host dozens of prospects from the next three recruiting cycles. That includes OSU commits, uncommitted prospects and those who have pledged to other programs.
Class of 2015 Prospects Arrive in Force
Ohio State will welcome at least 16 class of 2015 prospects to Ohio Stadium on Saturday, most notably Lawrence Cager, Drew Richmond and Andre James.
| Player | Position | Committed To |
|---|---|---|
| LAWRENCE CAGER | WR | – |
| ANDRE JAMES | OT | UCLA |
| DREW RICHMOND | OT | Ole Miss |
| GRANT SCHMIDT | OT | Ohio State |
| JUSTIN HILLIARD | LB | Ohio State |
| JOSHUA ALABI | DE | Ohio State |
| JAMEL DEAN | DB | Ohio State |
| CARLTON DAVIS | DB | Ohio State |
| TYLER HOWELL | OT | – |
| JALEN MERRICK | OT | – |
| WILL SUNDERLAND | DB | Oklahoma |
| YKILI ROSS | WR | – |
| MIRKO JURKOVIC | OT | Nebraska |
| DRE'MONT JONES | DE | Ohio State |
| MATTHEW BURRELL | OT | Ohio State |
| DA'VON HAMILTON | DT | – |
Cager, a wide receiver from Calvert Hall College High School in Maryland, is taking his first official visit to Ohio State this weekend. Cager's unofficial visit to Alabama two weekends ago went well, leading many to believe Alabama and Ohio State are the teams to beat. The Buckeyes are seen as Cager's most likely landing spot, and a good weekend would reinforce that perception.
In what has already been a class filled with flips, Urban Meyer is greasing his spatula for offensive tackles Drew Richmond and Andre James. Richmond is committed to Ole Miss, but he has long been saying he would visit for The Game. James is committed to UCLA, and the Buckeyes would like to make him the second Utahn in the 2015 class.
The question is inevitable so let me answer it preemptively: If one of Richmond or James – not both – wants to join the class, he has a spot.
One other big name to watch for is defensive tackle Neville Gallimore. Gallimore has long been circling this date for his visit to Ohio State. I have always liked Ohio State's chances here with Gallimore. He has always wanted to take an official visit to Ohio State. With a good visit, Ohio State could become the favorite to land the Canadian star.
Juniors and Sophomores to Visit
With Ohio State's 2015 class mostly filled, the 2016 class is a greater point of emphasis for this weekend. There are 22 confirmed visitors for the class of 2016, and plenty more unconfirmed.
| Player | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|
| DWAYNE HASKINS | 2016 | QB |
| GUNNAR HOAK | 2016 | QB |
| JARRETT GUARANTANO | 2016 | QB |
| MATTHEW FALCON | 2016 | RB |
| DEMARIO MCCALL | 2016 | RB |
| KENTRAIL MORAN | 2016 | RB |
| ROBERT WASHINGTON | 2016 | RB |
| STEVE SMOTHERS | 2016 | WR |
| AUSTIN MACK | 2016 | WR |
| LUKE FARRELL | 2016 | TE |
| JACOB MATHIS | 2016 | TE |
| LIAM EICHENBERG | 2016 | OT |
| THIYO LUKUSA | 2016 | OT |
| JAUAN WILLIAMS | 2016 | OT |
| MICHAEL JORDAN | 2016 | OT |
| CONNOR MCGOVERN | 2016 | OT |
| JOSH KING | 2016 | DE |
| AUSTON ROBERTSON | 2016 | DE |
| ETHAN TUCKY | 2016 | LB |
| JANGO GLACKIN | 2016 | LB |
| LAVERT HILL | 2016 | DB |
| JARED MAYDEN | 2016 | DB |
| DONOVAN PEOPLES-JONES | 2017 | WR |
| JOSH MYERS | 2017 | OL |
| COREY MALONE-HATCHER | 2017 | DL |
| VICTOR WILLIAMS | 2017 | DB |
| BRUCE JUDSON | 2017 | DB |
| CHAUNCEY GARDNER | 2017 | DB |
| RICHARD LECOUNTE | 2017 | ATH |
One of the biggest visitors this weekend is St. Ignatius prospect Liam Eichenberg, one of the nation's top offensive tackles. The staff has already missed on one elite offensive tackle from Ohio (Tommy Kraemer, a Notre Dame commit) and the Buckeyes would rather not lose another. Many believe Notre Dame is the team to beat for Eichenberg; with a good visit, who knows what will happen.
Another position to watch is the running backs, particularly Robert Washington and DeMario McCall. Both of them are high on Ohio State, and the Buckeyes may be looking for another running back and H-back in 2016. I expect them to be the two running backs in this class.
A couple other players to watch out for are wide receiver Austin Mack and defensive end Auston Robertson. They are two of the top prospects from Indiana, and they have been to Ohio State several times. I think Ohio State is the team to beat for both here.
The 2017 class has eight confirmed visitors, including Miamisburg prospect Josh Myers. Myers is the top player from Ohio, according to 247Sports rankings, and one of three five-star prospects in his class. Needless to say, the 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive tackle is a priority in the 2017 class.
Another notable visitor is dual-threat quarterback Bruce Judson from Cocoa, Fla. Judson is a versatile athlete being recruited as a wide receiver/running back. He is teammates with 2015 OSU commit Jamel Dean. Judson is hoping that his mom can accompany him on the trip as well. He has long had Ohio State at the top of his list and he has said he hopes to make a decision early in the process.
There are plenty more recruits that are attending or could attend; when we have confirmation on surprise visitors, we will update the visitor lists accordingly.
