Recruiting is all about momentum. Sometimes you're gaining it, sometimes you're losing it. What prospects are trending up with Ohio State? Let's take a look.
A lot has gone down thus far in the month of May. A big decommitment has shaken up the quarterback picture for a number of schools, running back recruiting has continued to heat up, and a new offer has been extended at tight end.
The Buckeyes continue to lead the way in the national recruiting rankings with Oklahoma and Alabama checking in at the No. 2 and 3 spots. While a potentially small class could make that top spot difficult to hang on to, Ohio State's current lead (36 points) is still fairly comfortable.
(This board will be updated over the next several months as we try and monitor the ups and downs of the 2017 class.)
| NAME | POSITION | RANK | PREV RANK | committed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFREY OKUDAH | DB | 1 | 5 | |
| CAM AKERS | RB | 2 | 3 | |
| TYJON LINDSEY | WR | 3 | 2 | |
| TATE MARTELL | QB | 4 | 7 | |
| TREVON GRIMES | WR | 5 | 6 | |
| AMIR RIEP | DB | 6 | 1 | |
| CHASE YOUNG | DE | 7 | 8 | |
| LAMONT WADE | DB | 8 | 4 | |
| BARON BROWNING | LB | 9 | NA | |
| JAYLEN HARRIS | WR | 10 | 9 | |
| ALEXANDER MARSHALL | TE | 11 | NA |
We start with some very good news out of Texas. Five-star defensive back Jeffrey Okudah and five-star linebacker Baron Browning are in fact in Columbus this weekend. Ohio State has been the team to beat for Okudah for some time now, but getting him back on campus for the first time since last summer should make Buckeye fans feel better about their spot at the top.
I'm in Columbus, OH. What's up Buckeye Nation? #Shhhh
— Jeffrey Okudah III (@TheJeffOkudah) May 21, 2016
At nearly 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Okudah would bring some great size to the secondary and is capable of playing corner or safety. However, he looks fairly minuscule when standing next to his Texas counterpart. Browning, who checks in at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, is the nation's second-ranked outside linebacker. He was long thought to be headed to Texas, Baylor, or one of the other in-state schools, but right now there is some speculation that he could leave the state after all.
#Shhhh pic.twitter.com/x4XOAVSNP2
— Baron Browning (@baronbrwnng) May 21, 2016
While linebacker isn't a position of great need right now, it would be impossible to turn down a player of this caliber. Landing another linebacker may limit the chances of Brendon White or Isaiah Pryor ultimately making the switch over from safety. Browning and Okudah have a very close relationship and have discussed the possibility of playing together in college. The duo is expected to be on campus through Sunday. This one should be fun to watch over the next few months.
Earlier this week, news broke that five-star tailback Cam Akers will be back in Columbus next month. Multiple spring/summer visits from a recruit in SEC territory is pretty big news, especially when the odds are that he will return once again this fall for an official. Tony Alford is doing a heck of a job on this one and it's pretty clear that Akers is the priority for the Buckeye backfield. Todd Sibley and J.K. Dobbins are obviously both in the fold, but Sibley's status continues to be a bit foggy.
Slot wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey is holding strong toward the top of the list. Rumors have been circulating that this class might only feature two wideouts, so it remains to be seen what that could mean for Cleveland's Jaylen Harris. As for Lindsey, getting Tate Martell in the fold could certainly help things as the two of them – along with Haskell Garrett – have a history of playing together at Bishop Gorman.
A summer decision appeared to be on the horizon for the Corona, California five-star, but the recent surge from the Huskers may have him holding off a bit. Regardless, it's clear that the Buckeyes have been on his mind in the last month.
GOOD LUCK TO MY BOYS WHILE THEY WAIT ON THAT SPECIAL CALL TONIGHT @BraxtonMiller5 @EzekielElliott pic.twitter.com/xmsGX6FAP7
— Tyjon A. Lindsey (@tyjonlindsey) April 29, 2016
As for Martell, he opened his recruitment back up in early May, and right now the Buckeyes appear to be in a great spot. Yes, some crystal balls have been coming in for California, but those may be stemming merely from the relationship with former TAMU offensive coordinator Jake Spavital, who now holds the same position in Berkeley. Not that it's a real surprise, but the Aggies no longer appear to be an option as they landed more of a pro-style quarterback earlier this week.
Right now we just have to wait and see when the five-star will announce his next set of plans. A round of summer visits should take place and then it will remain to be seen what happens this fall. The Buckeyes (and Martell) are in an interesting spot as IMG Academy's Kellen Mond could be looking to make a decision this summer. While he's still committed to Baylor, Auburn is looking like the primary threat for the four-star who originally hails from San Antonio. Martell and Mond continue to be options 1a and 1b for Urban Meyer and Tim Beck.
The Buckeyes will see Trevon Grimes multiple times next month as they will hold a camp at St. Thomas Aquinas in mid-June and Grimes is scheduled to make his way to Columbus later in the month. The long-awaited return trip to Ohio State – with family in tow – could certainly seal the deal for the nation's No. 4 wideout.
The Amir Riep sweepstakes is getting pretty interesting as the Spartans appear to be making a big push with the Colerain four-star. Michigan State currently doesn't have a single 2017 defensive back committed while the Buckeyes have four of the nation's best. Kerry Coombs' connections to the Cincinnati area are difficult to ignore, but Ohio State's future depth chart is also pretty eye-opening. Riep was impressive at the Chicago Nike Camp where he took home MVP honors and earned an invite to The Opening.
DB Amir Riep
— The Opening (@TheOpening) May 14, 2016
(@Riep_Amir)
Colerain (OH)
Welcome to #TheOpening.#GOTOPEN pic.twitter.com/Nb6s3BWx01
The recruitment of Lamont Wade, who was invited to The Opening just yesterday, continues to be an intriguing one. Other schools continue to mention the Buckeyes' current defensive back commits and the potential lack of early playing time. Wade and his family were in Columbus earlier this month, and by all accounts the visit was a successful one. It will be interesting to see where else he ends up throughout the summer.
Tight end recruiting has been fairly uneventful ever since Cole Kmet spurned the Buckeyes in favor of the Irish. Cincinnati's Matt Dotson has been offered but there does not appear to be mutual interest between the two parties as the nation's ninth-ranked tight end looks to be leaning toward a few other Big Ten schools at the moment. The Buckeyes could be looking to make a move on another talented tight end as they extended an offer to Andover, Massachusetts' Alexander Marshall in early May.
Just had a great talk with Urban Meyer can wait to get down for a visit! #Buckeyes
— Alexander Marshall (@A_marshall80) May 19, 2016
Marshall is one of the nation's hottest prospects as schools like Florida State, Florida, and Alabama have all been hot on the trail recently. It's yet to be seen how much interest the Buckeyes have, but the three-star is already talking about heading to Columbus for a visit.
There's definitely a chance the Buckeyes will want to see the 6-foot-7, 240-pounder in person and possibly at Friday Night Lights before moving him into the "take" category, but it's looking as if the likelihood of seeing a tight end in the 2017 class is increasing.
