The spring game is less than a month away, and the Buckeyes are looking to build on what is currently the nation's top-ranked recruiting class. While it's too early to get a firm grasp on who all to expect in Columbus for the April 16th annual scrimmage, there are several other visits to watch over the next month or so.
Last month, Bishop Gorman's (Las Vegas) Haskell Garrett surprised many when he pledged to the Buckeyes before even making a visit to Columbus. The nation's fourth-ranked defensive tackle had been forecasted to schools like Texas A&M, Notre Dame, and Southern Cal. Needless to say, it wasn't your run-of-the-mill type of commitment, and the Buckeyes will have to work – perhaps harder than usual – to hang on to the 6-foot-2, 300-pounder.
The good news for Ohio State? Garrett is already in the Midwest and will be taking a three-day visit to Columbus this week. The potential bad news? He's currently in South Bend checking out the Fighting Irish's junior day festivities.
2017 4s DE Corey Malone-Hatcher & DT Haskell Garrett at #NotreDame Jr Day. The #Hawaiian connection. pic.twitter.com/k8DQYXQt8d
— Coach Malone (@Orlando_Malone) March 19, 2016
Garrett has been pretty up front about his desire to take some other visits. He was at USC's junior day in late February and will likely venture to Texas A&M at some point. Last month, the four-star spoke to Eleven Warriors about his plans for the visits.
"When I go out to the schools I want to be there a couple days. I want to get to really see the colleges, to see the entire environment of the cities I’ll be in for four years. I don’t want to be one of those kids who doesn’t have a feel for the entire city and just spends a day there. I need to know the entire atmosphere."
This week's visit looms large for Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson as they look to keep one of the nation's best in the fold.
A former Bishop Gorman standout and the nation's top slot receiver – Corona, California's Tyjon Lindsey – is also set to check out the Buckeyes later this month. The five-star was initially planning on making the trip with Garrett, his former teammate, but is now targeting next weekend as the likely visit date.
Zach Smith has done a tremendous job with the country's 21st-ranked prospect. His recent switch from Bishop Gorman to California's Centennial High School could definitely help the Trojans out in this sweepstakes as Lindsey is now just an hour away from Los Angeles. USC is the current crystal ball favorite, and next week's visit will be of the utmost important for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes.
OHIO NEXT WEEKENDHOPING TO HAVE A BLAST UP IN COLUMBUS WITH MY MY MAIN GUYS @OSUCoachMeyer @CoachZachSmith @markpantoni @DH_simba7
— Tyjon A. Lindsey ++ (@tyjonlindsey) March 15, 2016
Cincinnati (Colerain) defensive back Amir Riep has been checking out many of the nation's top programs lately. So far this month, the four-star has been to Tennessee, Michigan, and most recently was in South Bend looking into the Irish. He's also expected to be in Gainesville later this month.
Despite the dozens of new offers and visits elsewhere, the Buckeyes remain in a great spot. Riep is scheduled to be in Columbus the weekend of April 2nd and will be making a return trip for the spring game. He is planning on announcing his college decision on his birthday, July 23rd.
Amir Riep has two trips to Columbus on the horizon.
The Buckeyes already have one quarterback in the fold as Massillon's (Hoban) Danny Clark has been committed since December of 2013. The question still remains as to whether or not the Buckeyes will look to bring in another quarterback.
Earlier this week, Birm had the news that Tate Martell would be traveling to Columbus with his friend and former teammate Tyjon Lindsey. Martell has family in Ohio so the visit isn't necessarily to check out Columbus or the Buckeyes. However, one would think there's a pretty good chance that some type of visit could take place. We will obviously keep an eye on this situation to see if anything is arranged between the five-star and the Buckeyes.
With two of the nation's top tackles in the fold, the Buckeyes are still on the lookout for an interior lineman. IMG Academy's Robert Hainsey – a Pittsburgh native – is set to take a number of visits this spring and is scheduled to be in Columbus on March 26th. During his two-week spring break, the four-star is also planning to check out Penn State, Pitt, Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Michigan. Penn State is the current crystal ball leader but the rest of the Midwestern powers are in hot pursuit.
As per usual with this time of year, several other names/visits will certainly surface between now and mid-April. A few others to watch include Trevon Grimes, Lamont Wade, Joshua Kaindoh, and Jaylen Kelly-Powell. The Buckeyes have been working to get Grimes back on campus for some time now, and many suspect that a spring visit could end up with some good news for Urban Meyer and Co.
The nation's top-ranked player, Alabama commit Najee Harris, is also planning on making the trip for the spring game. The Buckeyes are continuing their chase for Harris and former Bama commit Cam Akers to complement Todd Sibley and J.K. Dobbins In the backfield.
Eleven Warriors will have more over the next few weeks, including an extensive visitor list as the spring game draws near.
