2016 Defensive Lineman Auston Robertson Talks Ohio State, Recruitment Plans

The defensive line has been one of Ohio State's greatest strengths over the last few years, and that's a direct result of recruiting success. With four- and five-star recruits like Adolphus Washington, Noah Spence and Joey Bosa, it is easy to see why Ohio State has dominated the trenches from the defensive side of the ball. 

The Buckeyes have had success going after some of the top defensive linemen in the country. In 2016, Ohio State will continue that trend by recruiting one of the top weakside defensive ends in the country, and one of the best players in the Midwest: Fort Wayne (Ind.) star Auston Robertson. 

Robertson, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound defensive lineman, holds offers from all the top regional programs including, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Purdue. During the season he added offers from Illinois, Miami, and Tennessee. Robertson has a strong offer sheet, and he should add more to the list.

One of the schools that really stands out to Robertson is Ohio State, but that's not surprising given that he has family ties to the Buckeye football program.

"My uncle, Stan Drayton, is a coach there," Robertson told Eleven Warriors. "I really like the coaching staff a lot there also. Coach [Larry] Johnson, I hear, is a good coach. And I was born in Ohio so there's that. The facilities are great too."

Robertson has seen the Buckeyes in action several times this season, attending the Buckeyes' two biggest regular season games. He was on an official visit in East Lansing when Ohio State traveled to play Michigan State, and he was in Columbus for The Game. Robertson says he liked what he saw, especially against Michigan.

"They are just a hard playing team," Robertson said when asked what he thought about the Buckeyes' season. "All of the games they are just a physical playing team. The Michigan game was interesting. I thought it was going to be a blowout, but Michigan played a really good game. After the game, I got to talk to the coaches. They told me they are really interested in me."

Ohio State's coaching staff travels to make recruiting trips at high schools all across the country; wide receivers coach Zach Smith and special teams coach Kerry Coombs are responsible for Indiana. Earlier this season, Smith went to Wayne High School to check in on Robertson and give him an offer.

"It means a lot they came and visited me," Robertson said of Smith's visit. It is the offer I really wanted during the season so it was cool seeing him."

Robertson had an impressive individual season. He totaled 82 tackles, 32 for loss, and 15 sacks while also spending time at tight end. He and his Wayne teammates won their conference title, and Robinson was named 1st team all-conference and 1st team all-Indiana.

At the moment, Robertson has a top three in his recruitment right now of Michigan State, Ohio State, and Notre Dame; almost all of his crystal ball predictions have him choosing Ohio State.

When picking a school, he knows exactly what he is looking for. "I want to go somewhere I fit both on and off the field," Robertson said. "I value academics a lot, but also look forward to playing football."