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.
June has been quite the successful month for Buckeye recruiting. Tate Martell, the nation's top-ranked dual-threat quarterback, got things kicked of with a commitment back on June 12. Then, after falling behind Alabama in the 247Sports team rankings, the addition of five-star guard Wyatt Davis catapulted the Buckeyes back to the top.
(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 | 1 | |
| TREVON GRIMES | WR | 2 | 5 | |
| CAM AKERS | RB | 3 | 2 | |
| CHASE YOUNG | DE | 4 | 7 | |
| TYJON LINDSEY | WR | 5 | 3 | |
| AMIR RIEP | DB | 6 | 6 | |
| BARON BROWNING | LB | 7 | 9 | |
| LAMONT WADE | DB | 8 | 8 | |
| DARNELL EWELL | DT | 9 | NA | |
| DONOVAN PEOPLES-JONES | WR | 10 | NA | |
| JAY TUFELE | DT | 11 | NA |
* Last month's version can be found HERE.
After a late-May visit to Columbus, Jeffrey Okudah – the nation's top-ranked safety – made a return trip last weekend with his parents. Next month, he is set to narrow his list down to six schools, and it would be the surprise of the century if Ohio State didn't make the cut. There actually had been some speculation that a commitment could come last week, but alas, that was not the case.
I'll be announcing my Final 6 Schools on July 11th! pic.twitter.com/Vz9u7x8uko
— Jeffrey Okudah III (@TheJeffOkudah) June 4, 2016
Okudah checked out the Sooners on Friday and one of the Oklahoma insiders tossed in a crystal ball pick for Bob Stoops and Co. Not gonna go into the rationale behind the crystal ball pick, but let's just say that it was pretty lol-worthy. It would be a shock if the five-star doesn't end up in Columbus.
We touched on Trevon Grimes a bit on Thursday, but everything continues to look positive even though he was unable to make it to Ohio State last weekend. One of the basic rules of recruiting is that when a player sets a decision date, they almost always know where they are headed. Grimes is set to announce on August 24, and I think we all know how this one is going to turn out. He's expected back in town for Friday Night Lights on July 22.
The loss of Todd Sibley was more than expected, and the Buckeyes continue to focus on Cam Akers to complement J.K. Dobbins in the backfield. Akers is tentatively scheduled to be back in town for Friday Night Lights, and this one is still shaping up to be an Ohio State vs. the SEC battle. Ole Miss, Tennessee, and perhaps Georgia look to be the stiffest competition at the moment.
Tate Martell, who is spearheading the recruiting efforts, is doing everything in his power to bring some more five-stars to Columbus, including Akers.
S E L E C T 1 7
— Tate Martell (@TheTateMartell) June 26, 2016
QB: T. Martell
RB: C. Akers
WR: T. Lindsey
WR: T. Grimes
WR: D. Peoples-Jones pic.twitter.com/GnVuFsvBau
Chase Young continues to be virtually the only player the Buckeyes are recruiting at defensive end, which probably says a lot about how the staff feels about their current standing with – you guessed it – another five-star. This weekend he told 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong that the Buckeyes lead. Maryland and Bama also remain in the hunt. He too is expected at Friday Night Lights.
Amir Riep and Lamont Wade remain on the board at corner. Given the already-loaded secondary, it's somewhat difficult to imagine the Buckeyes landing both. Riep will be back in late July and is scheduled to announce on July 23, though those plans don't seem to be set in stone. The Spartans are a serious threat, but a commitment coming directly after a trip to Columbus would seem to bode well for Kerry Coombs and Co. Not much has changed on the Lamont Wade front. It's looking like an Ohio State/Penn State battle as the 5-foot-9, 185-pounder has made about a half-dozen trips to Happy Valley this year.
At wideout, Donovan People-Jones makes an appearance on the list after taking another trip to Columbus last week. While Michigan still looks to be out in front, the Buckeyes still have a puncher's chance in this one. Tyjon Lindsey's recruitment is starting to get a tad bit strange with unsubstantiated rumors that Ohio State is no longer recruiting the five-star. While those rumors do appear to be somewhat ridiculous, the staff's feeling on their chances with DPJ could be a factor here. Lindsey, who is back in Lincoln this weekend, is slated to decided on August 22.
The Buckeyes have two of the nation's top defensive tackles in the fold already, but they're still looking to add another. Five-star Marvin Wilson briefly made an appearance on the board, but after naming Ohio State as one of his top schools, things have been mostly quiet on that front. Darnell Ewell hasn't been shy about his affinity for the Buckeyes, and it all may depend on whether or not Ohio State has room for the four-star. He recently named a top five of Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Ohio State. Ewell was schedule to make a series of Midwest visits this weekend, including the three aforementioned powerhouses.
Fellow defensive tackle Jay Tufele has also named Ohio State as his leader, but it doesn't seem like a lot of people are buying that one just yet. The Buckeyes offered back in March and we will have to wait for the 6-foot-3, 300-pounder to make an appearance in Columbus before getting too excited.
July is going to be an absolutely huge month as the visitor list for Friday Night Lights is already off to a tremendous start. The Buckeyes continue to be on track for one of the top recruiting classes we have seen in Columbus. The only issue, as we've talked about time and time again, may be the lack of available scholarships.
