The wait for a commitment continues on. While this is no Gray Box, there are plenty of updates on some of the prospects that are on the Buckeyes radar. Let's get right to it.
#Elite15 Looking For a Leader
Mark Pantoni tweeted out a not-so cryptic message, but who was it directed towards?
All great recruiting classes must have a QB as the leader to put the class together #Elite15
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) April 26, 2014
It could be a message to Torrance Gibson to move up his time table for a commitment. Brandon Wimbush plans to make a decision after he visits Ohio State in the next couple of weeks. Perhaps Lorenzo Nunez, although Birm recently reported was leaning elsewhere. Or Pantoni could just be playing with everyone's head.
It's clear that, if Pantoni gets his wish, Ohio State will get a quarterback locked up early. Landing a prospect like Torrance Gibson could have an immediate impact on other key prospects decision. We all know that the Buckeyes could use some good news on the recruiting trail.
Emanuel Hall Close to An offer?
The Ohio State coaching staff has spent the past few days traveling across the country, visiting many of the nation's top recruits. Tim Hinton stopped in to see three-star receiver Emanuel Hall of Franklin (Tenn.), who has not been offered by the Buckeyes. Eleven Warriors caught up with the rising prospect to discuss the latest communication with Ohio State.
"It went great!" Hall said speaking about Hinton's visit. "He said that I am very close to being offered, he just wants to see me live."
The 6-foot-2, 190 pound receiver holds offers from Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Florida and Vanderbilt.
His recruitment could soon take off after an impressive showing at Nike's Elite Combine. The 2015 prospect was clocked with a verified 4.51 forty yard dash, which contributed to a SPARQ score that was the best among receivers.
The crystal ball currently has him heading to Vanderbilt, but the receiver has not yet narrowed his list. He told 11W he soon plans to release his top five school list, but only schools that have offered will make the cut. That doesn't mean the Buckeyes wouldn't have a shot, if they decided to offer.
"I really like Ohio State and hope to get higher on their board soon!" he said. Ohio State could take three wide receivers in this class, with Van Jefferson looking like he could soon reserve his spot. The Buckeyes are also contenders for four-stars Christian Kirk and Devante Peete.
Hall isn't a new name on Ohio State's recruiting radar. The three-star prospect has already visited this month for spring practice. "It was a great experience," he said of his visit. "I really loved the environment and the team chemistry."
The Tennessee native hopes to make it back up to Columbus soon, perhaps for Ohio State's annual Friday Night Lights event in July. Hall is just one of many prospects to keep an eye on over the next few months.
Happy Trails
Four-star offensive lineman Gabe Megginson recently committed to Illinois over offers from a couple dozen of programs including Ohio State and Wisconsin. The Illinois native landed an offer from Ohio State months after an impressive showing at Friday Night Lights.
While some thought the Buckeyes would at least get a visit from highly rated offensive lineman Keenan Walker, he decided to commit to the in-state Arizona Wildcats over the weekend. Walker held offers from numerous elite programs, but decided to stay close to home.
Yet another four-star lineman, Kaleb Kim, committed elsewhere during the past week. The Georgia native committed to Auburn. Kim held an offer from the Buckeyes and visited in November.
The Buckeyes will continue to focus their attention on offensive linemen Drew Richmond, Matthew Burrell, Patrick Allen, Austin Clark, Sterling Jenkins and James Daniels. Ohio State, who is looking to take three or four offensive linemen, have requested a few unoffered lineman to visit for camp.
More Recruiting News And Notes
Tim Hinton recently traveled to Coldwater (Ohio) High School to visit junior quarterback/safety Brody Hoying. The small school star is related to Bobby and Tom Hoying, and also Adam and Ross Homan.
The Coldwater product plans to camp for one of Ohio State's camps this summer. The Buckeyes are recruiting Hoying as a safety, as are most of the other schools. Michigan State is showing a lot of interest, but have not offered. Toledo, Miami and Kent State are a few other programs that are showing interest.
The 5-foot-11 prospect led Coldwater to a state championship with over 1,850 yards in the air and another 1,850 yards on the ground. He also was named first team all-conference at defensive back.
2016 running back Robert Washington Jr. has seen his recruitment blow up over the last couple of months. He already holds over 20 offers, including one from Ohio State. Washington recently visited OSU and already has plans for more visits.
"I plan to come to a game and visit when my cousin goes to camp up there," Washington told 11W. "So I plan to visit at least two to three times this year."
His crystal ball has only a few predictions, but has picks for North Carolina, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Ohio State. Despite these predictions, the soon-to-be four-star has not favorites or top school lists. He plans to release a list this fall and the Buckeyes are looking like they'll make the cut.
Four-star offensive lineman Patrick Allen of Maryland is one of the top prospects on Ohio State's board. Despite the talk of Ohio State leading, Allen tells Eleven Warriors that he is "still evaluating" and does not yet have a leader. The Buckeyes are in his top three with Florida State and LSU.
It's early, but I still think Allen will be a part of Ohio State's offensive line haul for the 2015 class.
Junior signal caller Tommy Stevens visited Ohio State back in March, but left without an offer since Tom Herman wanted to see him workout before offering. Herman has since had a chance to see the three-star prospect throw. Stevens is scheduled to meet with Herman and Urban Meyer today. Yesterday, the Indiana native was named the QB MVP at Rivals Columbus camp.
The Buckeyes are looking at possibly taking two quarterbacks. Stevens could be a good fit. The 6-foot-4, 200 pound dual threat QB should continue to stockpile offers .
