Not sure if you've heard, but things pretty much went perfectly for Ohio State's spring game yesterday. The weather couldn't have been better as the Buckeyes broke their own attendance record from just a year ago (99,391). All in all, 100,189 fans showed up for Saturday's scrimmage, surpassing the six-figure mark that the athletic department had been striving for.
The Buckeyes hosted some of their top recruiting targets for the event while several others were watching from afar. Let's take a look at what the Twitterverse had to say on Saturday.
The Buckeyes have their sights set on trio of uncommitted defensive back prospects in Lamont Wade, Amir Riep, and Jeffrey Okudah. Wade was on campus last week and Okudah was unable to make the trip up from the Lonestar State. That didn't stop the five-star from taking notice of Saturday's turnout.
It's going to be rocking in The Shoe today! I hear it's a sellout... #Shhhh
— Jeffrey Okudah III (@TheJeffOkudah) April 16, 2016
Ohio State remains the team to beat for nation's top-ranked safety, but they'll need to get him back on campus this summer to hold off the Longhorns and the rest of the Big 12.
The Buckeyes got a bit of good news when Amir Riep made an appearance at the spring game. Riep was originally scheduled to check out LSU this weekend, but a change of plans found the four-star back in Columbus for the second time this month. The Colerain standout had discussed a July 23rd decision date – his birthday – but seems to have backed off that timeline. Regardless, he has expressed a desire to make a decision before the start of his senior season.
Riep took to Twitter to share a few of photos with Urban Meyer and two of the state's top linemen – 2017 Buckeye commit Josh Myers (Miamisburg) and 2018 tackle Jackson Carman (Fairfield).
Had a great time at The Ohio State University spring game! pic.twitter.com/ffNHxUBN0G
— Amir Riep (@Riep_Amir) April 16, 2016
Carman seemed to be getting some special treatment from Meyer and Co. as the Buckeyes' staff brought the nation's 20th-ranked 2018 prospect out to midfield during the pregame festivities.
Ohio State is one of the most lit places on the planet #BuckeyeNation #GoBucks
— Jackson Carman (@Jackson_Carman) April 16, 2016
The Buckeyes also hosted the nation's top player in Alabama commit Najee Harris. The five-star tailback from Antioch, California made the trip with his offensive coordinator, arriving in Columbus on Thursday. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Harris has the build of a linebacker but can run and catch like a skill-position player. While he doesn't have a Twitter account, his coach – Brett Dudley – documented some of the trip on his own account.
Ohio State Spring Game in 3 hours. Don't think I've ever seen what 100k people looks like. Energy should be crazy #Buckeyes
— CoachBDud (@CoachBDud) April 16, 2016
— CoachBDud (@CoachBDud) April 16, 2016
Ohio State currently has a commitment from one quarterback – Akron Hoban's Danny Clark – but they certainly appear to be on the lookout for another as they've entertained both Tate Martell (Las Vegas) and Baylor commit Kellen Mond (Bradenton, FL) over the last several weeks. Mond was on hand this weekend for the spring game, but as of this morning, it doesn't appear that the Buckeyes have extended an offer. The nation's No. 5 dual-threat passer also took some heat from Urban Meyer for his decision to wear blue inside the Shoe.
100,189
— KELLEN ^^ (@TheKellenMond) April 16, 2016
— KELLEN ^^ (@TheKellenMond) April 16, 2016
A pair of West Virginia prospects also made the trip to Columbus. 2017 defensive end Darius Stills and 2018 defensive tackle Dante Stills are both considered to be Mountaineer leans – which is probably obvious from their choice of attire – and both are still looking for Ohio State offers.
Ohio State Visit pic.twitter.com/uOOdykju7w
— Darius Stills56 (@Darius_Stills56) April 17, 2016
Toledo's Dallas Gant (St. John's Jesuit) was recently slotted as the nation's No. 42 prospect for the 2018 class. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder currently holds offers from Kentucky, Iowa State, and Toledo, but that's bound to change over the coming weeks and months.
Beautiful day here in Columbus Ohio to play some football #gobucks
— Dallas Gant (@dallas_gant) April 16, 2016
Birm posted several photos from other targets and signees, so be sure to check them out here on the site as well as on his Twitter page. Eleven Warriors will have more updates as the weekend visitors begin to make their way back home.
