It's more and more likely that Ohio State, which signed seven linebackers in the last two recruiting classes, settles on just one for the 2016 class. That player, Tuf Borland, is already committed and the Buckeyes and Ohio State is slowly starting to turn their attention to 2017. With that, the names and faces that could fill the gaps left by departing seniors and early entrees over the next two years are starting to emerge.
One of those names is Santino Marchiol, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound inside linebacker from Englewood, Colorado. Marchiol currently has 18 offers, including Ohio State, Florida State, Penn State, North Carolina, Louisville and others. He's been all over the country already checking out schools and this past weekend he made his first stop in Columbus to see what Ohio State has to offer.
"Awesome, it was amazing," Marchiol told Eleven Warriors of the trip. "I have seen 23 different schools and it was definitely one of the best I've seen. Ohio State is fantastic."
Marchiol's primary recruiter in Columbus has been Tony Alford, but last Friday in he got a chance to work closely with Luke Fickell during Ohio State's one-day camp.
"I talk to (Tony) Alford quite often," he said of the Buckeyes' recruiting efforts. "I just met Luke Fickell (on Friday)."
That meeting with Fickell reaffirmed what Marchiol has picked up from previous discussions with Buckeye coaches.
"I loved how passionate everyone was about football," he said of what separates the atmosphere in Columbus from other trips he's taken. "It seemed like a fantastic environment to become a better person and player under (Urban) Meyer and (Luke) Fickell. They care about improving each player to their maximum potential."
Now that he's been to Columbus once, the linebacker says he hopes to return at some point in the future.
"They were talking about a return trip," he said of his plans to get back to Ohio State. "I'm not sure when that will happen, but they want me back soon. I enjoyed it a lot."
