National Signing Day is almost here, but there is still a lot to be sorted out in the next eight days with Ohio State's top uncommitted targets.
As things stand, the Buckeyes trail Alabama by a only few points in 247Sports' recruiting rankings. But barring any major surprises, the Crimson Tide will claim the top-ranked class for the seventh-consecutive year.
That said, Ohio State currently sits at 19 commits, nine of which are already on campus.
The Buckeyes — hoping to add two or three more prospects to round out the class — hosted four-star wide receiver James Robinson and four-star offensive tackle Thayer Munford for their official visits this weekend, and also conducted in-home visits with defensive tackles Marvin Wilson and Jay Tufele last week.
If all goes as planned, Ohio State will add at least one more defensive tackle, offensive lineman and wide receiver to its second-ranked recruiting class. But the way things are trending, fans might have to lower their expectations.
- Bellaire, Texas, Episcopal five-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson
Though LSU is believed to have taken the lead in Wilson's recruitment during his official visit last weekend, Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson and a number of assistants from Oklahoma stopped by for an in-home visit late last week.
Wilson has been extremely outspoken about his relationship with Ohio State commits Baron Browning and Jeffrey Okudah, which gives the Buckeyes a chance.
Urban Meyer still holds an in-home visit in his back pocket, too, but most believe Wilson's relationship with LSU head coach Ed Orgeron will ultimately swing things in favor of Tigers.
PREDICTION: LSU
- South Jordan, Utah, Bingham four-star defensive tackle Jay Tufele
Some close to the program believe Ohio State has a better chance of landing Tufele than Wilson, as things have long been considered a two-horse race between the Buckeyes and Utah. The Utes, of course, holding an advantage because of proximity.
The issue, however, is the fact Tufele took his official visit to Columbus back in November, but will wrap up his recruitment with a trip to Salt Lake City this coming weekend.
USC has also become a dark horse in recent weeks, having landed a commitment from Tufele's good friend, Marlon Tuipulotu. The two visited Los Angeles together last weekend, and Tuipulotu's presence gives USC a chance to land two of the country's top defensive tackles.
PREDICTION: UTAH
- Massillon four-star offensive tackle Thayer Munford
Fresh off his official visit to Columbus, Munford's future simply comes down to whether or not he was extended a scholarship offer by Ohio State this weekend.
Meyer, offensive line coach Greg Studrawa and linebackers coach Bill Davis recently made an in-home visit with Munford, something usually reserved for priority targets.
That, plus, the glaring need on the offensive line lead me to believe the Buckeyes will be the pick on signing day. If not, it'll be Pittsburgh or Kentucky.
PREDICTION: OHIO STATE
- Lakeland, Florida, four-star wide receiver James Robinson
The need for a third receiver skyrocketed when Tyjon Lindsey reopened his recruitment. But with it happening only a few weeks before signing day, Ohio State found itself in quite the predicament.
Enter, James Robinson. The four-star wideout is extremely talented, but off-field concerns have been raised for a while - it's part of the reason Florida stopped recruiting him for a long period of time.
Robinson made his official visit to Ohio State this weekend with the hope of committing to the staff, but sources close to the program tell us he is no longer a viable option.
Robinson has repeatedly called Florida his dream school, so it's hard to see him ending up anywhere other than with the Gators.
PREDICTION: FLORIDA
- Iowa City, Iowa, West Senior four-star wide receiver Oliver Martin
Martin, like Robinson, was set to take an official visit to Ohio State this weekend, but he was forced to cancel his trip amid unspecified flight issues. Now it's unclear whether he'll make a trip to Columbus at all.
The staff will certainly try and convince him to reschedule, but there's only one weekend left for an official visit to take place - if he wants to announce on signing day, that is. And unfortunately for the Buckeyes, Martin is expected to travel to Michigan instead.
Iowa and Notre Dame have long been considered the favorites in Martin's recruitment, but momentum continues to build toward the Wolverines.
Ohio State is out of it, though, unless Martin makes an unforeseen trip to Columbus.
PREDICTION: CLOUDY
- Pickerington Central three-star running back Morgan Ellison
Few prospects in this year's class wanted an offer from Ohio State more than Ellison, who valiantly fought back from a devastating leg injury to become one of the best running backs in the state during his senior year.
I, for one, think the offer would have already been extended had he been healthy throughout high school. That's why it seemed like things were going to work out for Ellison when running backs coach Tony Alford reached out to him just a few weeks ago.
No headway has been made in those discussions, though.
Ellison has since been offered a scholarship by Indiana, a school he's long been interested in. And if the Buckeyes don't want him, he's ready to be a pain in their neck for the next four years.
PREDICTION: INDIANA
