Ohio State already possesses the nation's No. 1-ranked recruiting class in 2017 and the Buckeyes haven't really shown any signs of slowing down of late. Ohio State landed a commitment from the No. 1-rated dual-threat quarterback in the country, Tate Martell, a few weeks back and its class got even stronger Friday when Wyatt Davis, the nation's No. 1-ranked guard prospect, also committed.
If this pace keeps up, there is potential for Urban Meyer and Co. to land one of the greatest recruiting classes in history. And if you're active on social media or paying any sort of attention to these types of things, you've surely noticed Martell doing everything in his power to make sure some of the nation's top uncommitted prospects who are considering Ohio State wind up Buckeyes.
On Thursday, Martell sent out a tweet of a whiteboard with all of Ohio State's top targets on it. Then, on Saturday, the four-star prospect at No. 33 overall player in the 2017 class sent out a series of tweets that expressed his wishes for those top targeted players to choose the Buckeyes.
Think about this offensive line...
— Tate Martell (@TheTateMartell) June 26, 2016
J. Meyer (@joshmyers58)
J. Moretti (@J_Moretti17)
W. Davis (@wyattdavis53)
T. Smith (@smithtrey98)
Ohio State Defense
— Tate Martell (@TheTateMartell) June 26, 2016
C. Young (@youngchase907)
J. Tufele (@tufele123)
B. Browning (@baronbrwnng)
A. Hines (@TheAntHines_Era)
OSU SECONDARY
— Tate Martell (@TheTateMartell) June 26, 2016
J. Okudah (@TheJeffOkudah)
L. Wade (@Goony_38)
D. Holmes (@DarnayHolmes)
A. Riep (@Riep_Amir)#BuckeyeNation
That's quite a wish list — and it's one that doesn't even include Ohio State's top wide receiver targets for which Martell previously campaigned — and it's not entirely crazy to think the Buckeyes are strong contenders with every player mentioned.
But simple actions like this are precisely why Ohio State wanted Martell to commit when he did. The Buckeyes want him to take the reins as the lead recruiter for the 2017 class since there are so many talented prospects still considering Ohio State. Dwayne Haskins was that guy in 2016 and Martell has strong relationships with many of these top uncommitted prospects so it's wise for him to lobby for all of his friends to join him with the Buckeyes.
It's a safe bet Martell will be all over several of those uncommitted Ohio State targets at The Opening — which takes place July 8-10 in Beaverton, Oregon — as well as the Buckeyes' annual Friday Night Lights camp July 22 as Martell is expected to be in attendance.
Top 2018 Target Jaelen Gill Releases Top 9...Maybe
Jaelen Gill, a four-star prospect in the 2018 class from nearby Westerville South High School, is a name we've discussed at length here at Eleven Warriors as one of Ohio State's primary targets in the 2018 class. Gill is listed as an all-purpose back by 247Sports, but the reality is he can play a few different positions at the college level. He's that good.
With over 20 offers before his junior year, the four-star recruit will have his hands full when making his final college decision though many consider the Buckeyes the be the heavy favorites right now being the hometown team. On Sunday, though, Gill released an edit which many believed to include his top-nine schools.
— Squizzy Squirt (@jaelengill21) June 26, 2016
Ohio State, obviously, was included in this edit along with Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and more. Shortly after Gill sent out the tweet, however, he said the list was not, in fact, his top-nine schools.
That wasn't a top list of my schools guys lol.. It was just an edit from my boy @Hayesfawcett3
— Squizzy Squirt (@jaelengill21) June 26, 2016
Even if it wasn't Gill's official list of top-nine schools expect Ohio State to be included on that when he does release one — whenever that may be.
Shaun Wade Discusses Recent Alabama Visit
After a recent pair of visits to Columbus, Shaun Wade — one of three five-star prospects currently committed to Ohio State in the 2017 class — visited Alabama. This trip to Tuscaloosa, however, was a bit different than previous ones for the country's second-rated cornerback.
According to SECCountry.com's Chris Kirschner, Wade spent the majority of his most recent visit to Alabama with current Crimson Tide cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick.
“I talked to Minkah for a long, long time,” Wade told SECCountry.com. “He said (247Sports) projected that he wouldn’t play until his junior year. He kept that in his mind and went out there and competed for a starting spot. (The depth chart) doesn’t affect Alabama’s chances, because at any place you have to compete no matter what. Even if a school promises that I’ll play immediately, I am still going to have to compete. I know that for sure. Competition doesn’t phase me.”
Despite being committed to the Buckeyes, Wade is going to continue to explore all of his options in this decision. And while Ohio State still feels confident in its standing with the nation's 13th-ranked player, this recruitment certainly feels like it could come down to the wire.
Richard LeCounte Says He Will Take Official Visit to Ohio State
Richard LeCounte was once considered to be one of Ohio State's top defensive back targets in the 2017 class before opting to commit to Georgia back in December.
But according to Rivals.com's Rob Cassidy, LeCounte intends to take multiple official visits this fall, and one of those destinations will be Ohio State.
“I’m going to visit Ole Miss for the Georgia Southern game,” LeCounte told Rivals.com. “I’m going to Ohio State definitely. I’m going to my Miami, too."
LeCounte also went on to add his primary concern right now is to help recruit for Georgia. And it's also important to keep in mind LeCounte is very close with Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan — LeCounte goes to the same high school McMillan went to — so that could very well be the sole purpose of his intended visit to Ohio State.
And even though it's highly likely LeCounte ends up signing with Georgia, a visit to Columbus is still interesting nonetheless.
