Finding the right fit for your college football program isn't just about what happens on the field, but off it as well. Today, Ohio State added a key piece. How will that commitment impact the Buckeyes?
Moments ago, Ohio State landed yet another commitment from one of the state's top prospects when four-star defensive back Amir Riep made the call for the Buckeyes.
Let's take a closer look at what the commitment from the state's third-ranked prospect means for Ohio State.
On the Field
Riep recently measured in at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds while in Oregon for Nike's The Opening. That is solid size for a cornerback and just about average size for a college safety. The four-star has the skills to play pretty much anywhere in the secondary, but the expectation is that he will get his first shot at corner.
When watching his film, there are a number of things that stand out. First of all, he's a very physical corner, which a probably a good explanation as to why many view him as a potential safety down the road. He also possesses the ability to get turned around quickly and has the ball skills to force turnovers from the secondary. He notched seven interceptions during his junior season at Colerain.
Meet one of the top cornerbacks in all of HS football - @Riep_Amir.
— MaxPreps Video (@MaxPrepsVideo) June 1, 2016
His game is !
: https://t.co/PQQFplDzxr pic.twitter.com/acC2MZWTGV
In speaking with WCPO in Cincinnati, Colerain head coach Tom Bolden had this to say about the Greater Miami Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
"Wherever Riep lands on a college campus, he has an opportunity to play right away as a freshman. He’s the guy that can play a shutdown physical corner who can also play safety,” Colerain head coach Tom Bolden said last month. "He’s definitely a presence that they've got to game plan for.” Via
In The Class
The 16th member of Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class, Riep is the fifth defensive back to join up with Greg Schiano and Kerry Coombs. He joins Shaun Wade, Marcus Williamson, Isaiah Pryor, and Brendon White.
With Riep in the fold, the Buckeye secondary continues to be one of the strongest 2017 units in all of the country. Williamson looks to be the lone player who is pretty much set at the cornerback spot. The rest of the unit features prospects who could end up at corner or safety. Or, in the case of Pryor and White, safety or linebacker.
The Buckeyes are still looking to add at least one more to February's secondary haul.
The Intangibles
The coaching staff at Colerain has raved about the four-star's football IQ. Specifically, his ability to bait opposing players into making mistakes.
Despite entertaining well over 100 coaches this year, Riep has remained humble throughout the process and has mostly kept his recruitment fairly quiet. He has given a number of teams the opportunity to recruit him and give their best pitch and has taken numerous visits to college campuses throughout America.
During his announcement on Saturday, head coach Tom Bolden stated that Riep and his family have "done it right when it comes to the recruiting process."
His coaches have also touched on his ability to perform in the classroom. With nearly 50 offers on the table, Riep has also garnered attention from renowned schools like Vanderbilt and Duke.
