Four-star wide receiver Bryson Rodgers had been looking forward to his trip to Columbus for weeks.
Even though the 6-foot-2, 170-pound wideout currently resides in Florida, Rodgers is originally from Warren, Ohio, and grew up an Ohio State fan. On Tuesday, Warren attended OSU’s first practice of the spring and received a tour of the weight room, academic and athletic facilities.
wow! what a tremendous visit and time it was at the Ohio State University! big thank you to the staff and coaches that made this possible. Columbus, I will be back. @ryandaytime @brianhartline @MrLeggo1 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/0vqVKvAuor
— Iam_uno (@IBryson13) March 9, 2022
“I loved it,” Rodgers told Eleven Warriors of his visit. “There’s a great culture there and a brotherhood-like atmosphere. In the practice I watched in the morning, coach Hartline was out there getting intense with the guys. He was really involved with every wide receiver, it was good to see.”
Rodgers and his family also got to walk inside Ohio Stadium for the first time, which he said was surreal.
“Just seeing that with my family was amazing,” he said.
While no commitment is imminent, Rodgers left Columbus with a significant impression: Ohio State is currently the leader in his recruitment.
“Definitely the top,” Rodgers said when asked where Ohio State ranks among his college options. “That’s a dream school. I’ve always loved Ohio State football. Now that I know a little bit about the inner workings of the program and what they do from an academic standpoint and learn the real personalities of the coaches, yeah man, it’s definitely at the top.”
Rodgers has been primarily recruited to Ohio State by wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, but he and his family got to meet Ryan Day for the first time on Tuesday.
“Coach Day said they’re recruiting me as hard as they are because they think I’m one of the best wide receivers in the country,” Rodgers said. “He said I had great character when coach Hartline came to see me, and told me he got to see that for himself when I was on campus. That means a lot coming from him. He also introduced himself to my family and told me he wanted me to come to Ohio State and explained how it could benefit me in the long run.”
Rodgers also met with Hartline before his visit concluded.
“He told me how much of an impact it would have on me learning from guys like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr., just gaining knowledge from those types of guys,” Rodgers said. “The knowledge I’d get, he said it could be my best decision. That’s definitely something to look forward to, being in that type of wide receiver atmosphere. They have the best wideouts in the country. To see that live was a great thing to see.”
Rodgers will visit Florida and Georgia next week and is planning a commitment sometime in July. He said he will narrow his college choices down to four or five schools, then take official visits to each before making a decision. Ohio State will likely be one of the schools getting an official visit from Rodgers in the summer.
Rodgers is listed as the 308th-best prospect and the 41st-best wide receiver in 247Sports’ composite rankings for the 2023 class. Lining up at various spots on the field last year for Wiregrass Ranch High School (Zephyrhills, Florida), Rodgers caught 42 passes for 645 yards with 14 receiving touchdowns.
Lauck includes Buckeyes in top eight
Three-star Indiana offensive lineman Trevor Lauck narrowed down his recruitment on Friday, releasing a top list of schools that consists of Ohio State, Indiana, Louisville, Michigan, Iowa, Michigan State, Purdue and Cincinnati.
TOP 8! Thank you to all of the coaches and schools that have recruited me! These are the schools Ill now be focusing on! pic.twitter.com/dXR3fwkIf4
— Trevor Lauck (@TrevorLauck) March 11, 2022
The 6-foot-6, 285 pound prospect is ranked as the 444th-best prospect and the 38th-best offensive tackle in the 2023 class. He visited Ohio State multiple times last fall for the Oregon and Michigan State games.
Hartford enjoys visit to Ohio State
Ohio four-star safety Malik Hartford made his third visit to Ohio State for the Buckeyes’ second spring practice on Thursday, and he told 247Sports he enjoyed his time in Columbus.
“I’m getting more and more comfortable with coach (Jim) Knowles each time,” Hartford told 247Sports. “You would be surprised how many jokes he has. I definitely am feeling more and more comfortable with him.”
Hartford said he will soon narrow his school list down to three and will take two or three official visits in June before making a commitment. He also said Ohio State is high on his list at the moment.
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound safety also took to Twitter to post some of the photos from his visit, and show off some of Perry Eliano's dance moves.
Had a great time at THE Ohio State University..but someone needa teach Coach Eliano how to griddy #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/nmr4Obz12D
— Malik Hartford (@MalikHartford) March 10, 2022
