June has arrived, and with it comes camp season for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes. The camp circuit will draw a number of prospects to Columbus, the majority of whom are still seeking that coveted Buckeye offer. With the potential for new offers going out – as well as other top prospects venturing to Ohio State's campus and to the many satellite camps – we look at some of the most likely candidates to hop on board between now and the start of the fall.
TREVON GRIMES • WR • ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (FORT LAUDERDALE, FL) • COMPOSITE: NO. 24
How long have we been talking about Grimes and the Buckeyes' affinity for him? It seems like forever, and the time has finally come for the five-star to return to Columbus. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder has repeatedly stated that the Buckeyes are his clear leader, even though he hasn't been to campus in nearly two years. Zach Smith has maintained a great relationship with Grimes and his family, and the parties will reunite twice in June. Ohio State will hold a satellite camp at Aquinas toward the middle of the month and the family will head to Columbus a week or two later.
The Gators and Noles remain a distant second and third.
- Likelihood: Very High
TATE MARTELL • QB • BISHOP GORMAN (LAS VEGAS, NV) • COMPOSITE: NO. 33
The nation's top dual-threat passer released his top seven on Tuesday, and to no one's surprise, Ohio State found themselves on that list. Martell visited Columbus in late March with his father and grandfather and has since decommitted from the Aggies. The Buckeyes are looking for another signal-caller to go along with Akron Hoban's Danny Clark, and right now Martell is right at the top of the list.
He's expected to take some more visits this summer and has indicated that he plans on taking all five official visits as well. With the Buckeyes focusing primarily on two non-committed 2017 quarterbacks, perhaps a decision could come sooner than the fall?
- Likelihood: Somewhat High
KELLEN MOND • QB • BRADENTON, FL (IMG ACADEMY) • COMPOSITE: NO. 103
In the midst of the Art Briles scandal, Kellen Mond elected to open things back up on Wednesday, and the Buckeyes are among a trio of potential suitors. The former Baylor commit, a San Antonio native, checks in as the nation's fourth-ranked dual-threat quarterback. Mond was in Columbus back in mid-April and has since taken visits to both Florida and Auburn. The four-star unleashed some very pro-Tiger tweets earlier this week, and right now that's where we have him headed. Alas, stranger things have happened.
- Likelihood: Low
JEFFREY OKUDAH • DB • GRAND PRAIRIE, TX (SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE) • COMPOSITE: NO. 7
Okudah is planning a return trip for the summer.
The nation's top safety made his long-awaited trip to Ohio State just a few short weeks ago. After the visit, the Buckeyes continue to be at the top of his list. Okudah is already talking about making a return visit, this time with family by his side, and it could take place as soon as June or July.
Tim Beck and Greg Schiano continue to do an amazing job here while Meyer has been in constant contact as well.
- Likelihood: High
TYJON LINDSEY • WR • CORONA, CA (CENTENNIAL) • COMPOSITE: NO. 28
Ohio State's wide receiver recruiting has been hit with some intrigue of late as rumors have surfaced that the staff might be considering just bringing in a pair of the nation's best. The big three have been though to be the aforementioned Grimes, Cleveland's Jaylen Harris, and Tyjon Lindsey. Donovan Peoples-Jones and Jerry Jeudy are also out there, but both appear unlikely at this point.
The potential crunch at wideout could play a part in Lindsey's decision timeline. Yes, he is a slot receiver while the other targets are more outside guys, but that may not really matter in the grand scheme of things. The Buckeyes and Huskers appear to be out in front right now, and the five-star has already scheduled an official visit to Lincoln. Getting long-time friend Tate Martell in the fold sooner rather than later certainly wouldn't hurt the Buckeyes' chances here.
- Likelihood: Below Average
JOEL HONIGFORD • OL • SUGARCREEK, OH (GARAWAY) • COMPOSITE: NO. 591
While Joel Honigford's stars and composite ranking may pale in comparison to some of the other names, if the 6-foot-6, 280-pounder were to commit this summer, it could be another feel-good story from within the state. Honigford – who holds offers from the likes of Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Auburn – has yet to receive that call from the Buckeyes. It's become evident that the staff would like to see him camp this summer before taking the next step, and that's something he seems willing to do.
"I am going to commit when I feel most comfortable with everything and if that means waiting to camp in the summer to get some more offers if that's what it takes then that's fine. I'm not really in a hurry to commit at all. Just waiting until I feel most comfortable with everything and ready." Via
Could Honigford go the Darron Lee route and earn the offer this summer? It's certainly a possibility.
- Likelihood: Above Average
AMIR RIEP • DB • CINCINNATI, OH (COLERAIN) • COMPOSITE: NO. 119
The state's top corner once looked like a Buckeye lock, but Kerry Coombs and Ohio State now find themselves in a battle with Michigan State. We've mentioned it a couple times, but Riep wants to play early on in his career and there's no question that the Buckeye secondary appears to be fairly loaded for years to come.
The four-star defender is expected back in Columbus this summer and that should give the staff another opportunity to explain how they foresee him being used, potentially as a true freshman. The Gators appeared to be a bit of a threat for a brief period, but this appears to be coming down to the two Big Ten foes. A tentative decision date is still set for July 23rd.
- Likelihood: Moderate
CHASE YOUNG • DE • HYATTSVILLE, MD (DEMATHA CATHOLIC) • COMPOSITE: NO. 29
One position group that doesn't really have a lot of question marks is defensive end. Chase Young continues to be the guy for Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes. The five-star was in Columbus in early April but has also checked out the hometown Terps since that time. Alabama has been identified as another school he'd like to check out, but this should come down to Ohio State and Maryland.
Young and his family have developed quite the bond with Larry Johnson, and there have also been reports that he's wanting to be the guy at defensive end. Maryland already has commitment from five-star Josh Kaindoh – who is more of a strong-side defensive end – while the Buckeyes have identified Young as the top target.
A decision date doesn't seem imminent, but a return trip this summer could make things interesting. Still, right now it looks like this one may play out a bit longer before he could pull the trigger for the good guys.
- Likelihood: Low
JAELEN GILL • ATH • WESTERVILLE, OH (SOUTH) • 2018 RANKING: NO. 19
Ohio's top athlete for the 2018 class lives minutes from Ohio State's campus and has made countless appearances over the last few years. That doesn't mean that Jaelen Gill is ready to make a decision anytime in the near future, however. He's taken trips to USC, UCLA, Michigan, and others, but it may be an entirely different sport that is the biggest competition. The 6-foot, 170-pounder hasn't been shy about his love for America's Pastime, though he has stated that it's No. 2 to football for the time being.
Gill's crystal ball currently read 100% in favor of the Buckeyes, but we just don't know if he's ready to make a decision just yet. He seems like a kid who likes checking out some of the nation's top campuses, and can we really blame him?
- Likelihood: Low
JACKSON CARMAN • OT • FAIRFIELD, OH (FAIRFIELD) • 2018 RANKING: NO. 20
The Buckeyes' 2017 class already features an Ohioan who checks in as one of the nation's top tackles, and the 2018 version is shaping up in much the same way. Fairfield's Jackson Carman – all 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds of him – has been thought to be leaning toward the Buckeyes for some time now. He was in Columbus twice in April and has since checked out Ann Arbor all the while receiving a number of new offers from schools like Notre Dame, Clemson, and USC.
Make no mistake about it: the Wolverines are paying a lot of attention to the Fairfield product. They sent assistant coaches to check in with him multiple times last month and will be holding a satellite camp at Fairfield High. The problem for Michigan is that Urban Meyer is also making young Mr. Carman a priority for the Buckeyes. Things continue to look good for Ohio State, though no decision date has been set.
- Likelihood: Moderate
TARON VINCENT • DT • BRADENTON, FL (IMG ACADEMY) • 2018 RANKING: NO. 15
After a rough couple years, defensive tackle recruiting appears to be on the up and up. The Buckeyes could make a big splash in the 2018 class as the nation's top tackle currently has them out in front. Taron Vincent – the son of former NFL cornerback Troy Vincent – has cited his relationship with Larry Johnson as one of the key reasons.
Birm touched on Vincent a bit last week and pointed out that sources in Bradenton have indicated that had his father not urged him to slow down the process a bit, a commitment to Ohio State may have already happened. A trip to Columbus is already in the works for the summer.
- Likelihood: Above Average
All in all, there's a lot to be on the lookout for over the next couple months — one-day camps, skills camps, Nike's The Opening, Friday Night Lights, etc. In addition to the aforementioned names, players like Cam Akers and Emory Jones are also expected to make trips to Columbus. It certainly wouldn't be surprise to see some fireworks over the next few months.
Urban Meyer can spend his summer building on to the nation's top recruiting class and enjoying some Sister Hazel, but I personally have always been more of an LFO kind of guy. Take it away, gents.
