Team Highlight (black) defeated Team Nitro (white), 16-3, in the 2013 Under Armour All-American Game tonight in St. Petersburg, but the score was of secondary concern as several future Buckeyes (as well as one or two potential future Buckeyes) showed up with big games.
Better yet, Urban Meyer reeled in another big fish with the halftime commitment of top-three inside linebacker Trey Johnson.
Johnson, previously an Auburn commit, chose Ohio State, saying he felt at home during his official visit to Columbus. He should vie for immediate playing time in a thin Buckeye linebacker corps.
Middletown's Jalin Marshall, a wide receiver for all of five days now, electrified the crowd with a 44-yard reception from Georgia pledge Brice Ramsey in the first quarter, proving he may have what it takes to be a weapon in Meyer's offense.
Burrows and Marshall shined at the Under Armour GameFellow Ohio State commit Joey Bosa was a force all night for Nitro's defensive line, starting and repeatedly beating his man on the edge before finally breaking through for a sack late in the game. Bosa also just missed out on a pick-six when he read a screen pass perfectly.
Cornerback Gareon Conley of Massillon, a late flip from Michigan to Ohio State, likewise earned the start and contributed several tackles from his boundary position. His coverage skills looked more than adequate, and his ability to tackle in the open field is solid.
Also in action were future Buckeyes Cam Burrows in the secondary and Marcus Baugh at tight end. Targets Dontre Wilson, an Oregon commit who may be looking elsewhere due to Chip Kelly moving on to the NFL, and safety Vonn Bell also left their mark on the field.
Burrows, Ohio State's first commitment in this class, seemed to perform well in run support during his time on the field and although Baugh didn't receive a lot of looks from his quarterbacks, he showed all week how formidable of a weapon he will soon be for Urban Meyer's Buckeyes. The Buckeyes are getting a great tight end in Baugh.
For Trey Johnson, it was all about the "O"Wilson showed off the quicks that attracted the Oregon staff, but with Chip Kelly leaving, he's in play again with Ohio State as a top contender for his services. This will be one to watch in the next three weeks.
Bell will be in Columbus next weekend for his official visit and the five-star defensive back did not disappoint. Bell caused a lot of havoc in the secondary, and made it very difficult for the opposing quarterbacks to develop any sort of passing attack downfield.
Ohio State will look to wrap up his recruitment before he leaves campus.
The night will go down as a success for Ohio State, both in terms of what they have and what they gained.
