The 2016 version of Friday Night Lights is set to get underway in a little more than 48 hours and the star-studded affair will draw a number of Urban Meyer's top targets to Columbus. Let's look at some of the key storylines on the offensive side of the ball.
Top 2017 Receiver Targets on Display
The magic number for wideouts in the 2017 class remains a bit of a mystery, but right now it appears that it may be a bit difficult for Zach Smith and Co. to bring in more than a pair of pass-catchers. That being said, three of Ohio State's top receiver targets are expected to be in town on Friday, with Donovan Peoples-Jones being the lone absentee.
While getting Trevon Grimes back on campus for the first time in two years is obviously very important, this visit may actually be even more important for Cleveland wideout Jaylen Harris. The four-star seems content on waiting to make a decision and that may be something that prevents him from joining up with Zone Six. The four-star was in Tuscaloosa last weekend and doesn't appear to be anywhere close to deciding. Could the Buckeyes make a push this weekend and move up the timeframe for one of Ohio's best? That remains to be seen.
As for the five-star from St. Thomas Aquinas, things continue to look just fine for the Scarlet and Gray. Grimes has never wavered on who's at the top of his list, and at this point it really doesn't matter who's running second or third for his services. He is clearly excited to get back to Columbus and should be excited for his late-August announcement.
For the First time since my Freshman year, I will be visiting Ohio State for Friday Night Lights #FNL #BuckeyeNation
— GrimeTime (@TrevonGrimes7) July 19, 2016
Tyjon Lindsey does have another school on his radar and while the Cornhuskers are worth keeping an eye on, the Buckeyes still appear to be on top. Close friend and former housemate Tate Martell will also be at Friday Night Lights to help the Buckeyes out with the Corona, California star. Lindsey is set to announce his decision on Aug. 22.
Emory Jones' Final Visit Before Decision?
The recruitment of the nation's No. 2 dual-threat quarterback appears to be winding down. Yes, we said the same thing over a month ago, but lately there have been some pretty telling signs that things are coming to a close. Emory Jones was planning a trip to Knoxville this week, but that visit did not come to fruition which is certainly good news for Urban Meyer and Tim Beck.
Jones visited both schools back in June and though many were expecting a decision to have been made by now, we've had to wait a little bit longer than originally thought. Still, Ohio State is in great position here to add yet another talented quarterback.
Commitment watch? Tim will have more on that tomorrow.
2018 Headliners
As is typically the case, this event is expected to have even more of an impact on the next recruiting cycle. The Buckeye State is shaping up to have another fine class for 2018, and a number of the state's top players are scheduled to be in Columbus on Friday. Jackson Carman, Jaelen Gill, and L'Christian Smith are three of the state's top-rated players on offense, and all three should in attendance for the event. Carman and Gill are the top overall prospects in Ohio for 2018, and both are currently 100 percent crystal balled to the good guys. Smith, a 6-foot-6 wideout from Dayton, appears to be an Ohio State/Michigan State battle right now with both schools already having offered.
With the Buckeyes not expecting to bring in a tight end for 2017, the position could be pretty crucial for the 2018 class. Zack Kuntz, the country's top-rated player at the position, is expected to make the trip from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. It is likely he will to end up in Happy Valley but this weekend could go a long way for the Buckeyes in turning it into another Big Ten battle. Pickerington's Trenton Gillison is still looking to earn a Buckeye offer and he should have plenty of opportunity to impress the staff Friday night.
One of the nation's top 2018 tailbacks will be back in town for the second time in a week as T.J. Pledger heads back to Columbus. Multiple visits in such a short time frame is impressive for any recruit, let alone one who hails from West Hills, California. He's set to check out Notre Dame Thursday before heading to Friday Night Lights.
#GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/SDz7TwADZd
— TJ Pledger (@uno_tj) July 15, 2016
Top Buckeye Recruiters On Hand
Tate Martell and Danny Clark have been two of the more active recruiters in the 2017 class, and both will be in The Shoe on Friday. This will be the first time the two have really had the opportunity to mingle since Martell committed last month. Outside of the potentially awkward dynamic, having your two lead recruiters present with all of the aforementioned talent is certainly something the Buckeyes' staff has to be excited about.
During these events, you can sometimes tell a lot by which recruits are attached to the hips of Mark Pantoni and Urban Meyer. The pair made it a point to shower one Raekwon McMillan with attention a few years back at the event, and that certainly paid off. On Friday, it will also be interesting to see who Martell and Clark are buddying up with. Tyjon Lindsey will most certainly be spending time with Martell, but there are plenty of other names to keep an eye on as well as the future Buckeyes look to build relationships for the 2017 class and beyond.
A Noteworthy Absence?
As reported in Wednesday's Hurry Up, top running back target Cam Akers appears unlikely to make the trip this weekend. The five-star was expected to be one of the biggest names in attendance, but Buckeye fans may have to wait until this fall for the 5-foot-11, 213-pounder to make his third trip to Columbus.
While this news was a bit of a blow to the star power of the weekend, there was some good news on the Akers front Wednesday as 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong submitted his pick for the nation's No. 2 tailback to ultimately end up in the Buckeye backfield. As we've stated before, there are certain crystal balls that mean more than others, and Wiltfong definitely falls into that category.
More good news? How about Tennessee – who is thought to be perhaps the biggest competition for Akers – landing another tailback Wednesday. The Vols now have two tailbacks committed (CJ Cotman is listed as an ATH but expected to play RB) and remain the frontrunner for four-star Nashville running back Ty Chandler.
So, while Akers likely won't be in town on Friday, there's still plenty of reasons to be excited about where things stand with this one.
Friday we will look at the other side of the ball as well as some prospects who could potentially pull the trigger this weekend.
