After a rash of rain and thunder in Columbus, Mother Nature dried things out in time for Friday Night Lights at Ohio Stadium. Some of the nation's top talent received attention from all corners of Ohio State's coaching staff plus current and past Buckeyes alike throughout the event's duration.
Additionally, the Buckeyes received a massive commitment from four-star defensive end Chase Young, who picked Ohio State over Maryland, Alabama, Florida State, Clemson and many others. An hour later, Ohio State received its first commitment in the 2018 class, getting a pledge from four-star running back Brian Snead.
Here are five other things to know from Ohio State's most important recruiting camp of the offseason.
1. The amount of talent at the camp was very impressive.
Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class is ranked No. 1 in the country for a reason, and it showed Friday night. Tate Martell, Danny Clark, and now Chase Young all performed exceptionally well against solid competition.
Additionally, those commits and targets who didn't work out — Trevon Grimes, Brendon White, Amir Riep, Lamont Wade, Jaylen Kelly-Powell to name a few — sit near the top of the rankings. The Buckeyes are in excellent position to win their first recruiting national championship under Urban Meyer, and nights like Friday show why.
Now with 15 commits — and in a solid position with Riep for his Saturday morning commitment — Meyer's scarlet and gray train is rolling fast and shows no signs of stopping.
The talent wasn't only relegated to that class, however. Quarterback Emory Jones and tight ends Jeremy Ruckert and Zack Kuntz all showed out from the juniors at the camp.
2. The presence of both Tate Martell and Danny Clark pushed both in quarterback drills.
Ohio State went after and secured a commitment from a second quarterback in the class of 2017, receiving Martell's pledge last month to go with Clark. It's created a bit of an awkward situation for the two of them but especially Clark, but to his credit, he continues to claim it doesn't bother him.
"I don't care who they bring in," Clark said after. "I don't care if they bring in Joe Namath, Aaron Rodgers — I'm going to come in and compete."
Martell and Clark did individual drills at the same time to start the camp, then threw one after another later in route work and 1-on-1s. Competition, competition, competition.
Though neither will likely admit it, they wanted to show what they could do on a big stage in front of fans and at Ohio Stadium. Both of them simply being in Columbus to work out made that happen and each threw the ball very, very well Friday.
3. Emory Jones is the real deal.
Ohio State's embarrassment of riches at quarterback is extensive both currently within the program and with Clark and Martell in next year's class. That being said, Jones showed why the Buckeyes want him so bad on Friday.
Displaying a smooth release, excellent touch and a penchant for throwing a tight spiral, Jones put the ball wherever he wanted to and did it with Meyer, Tim Beck, J.T. Barrett, Stephen Collier and Dwayne Haskins hovering close by. Once he warmed up and got in a rhythm, you could make the argument that Jones was the most impressive passer at the camp.
Jones said after the Buckeyes are in a good spot in his recruitment, and his commitment would only make an already spectacular quarterback room that much more outstanding.
4. Ohio State's NFL talent served as an excellent motivational tactic for recruits.
Braxton Miller, Jalin Marshall and Joshua Perry — all three either 2016 NFL Draft picks or in pro organizations — attended Friday Night Lights. Additionally, past NFL players Bobby Carpenter and Christian Bryant also were there. That can't hurt Ohio State.
Meyer spent time with each player and introduced some recruits to them, even doing the same with Vice President and Director of Athletics Gene Smith. Media and fans weren't allowed on the field so we don't know for sure what was said during the conversations, but you can probably figure it out.
"Come to Ohio State, work hard, win championships, get drafted." Meyer and the Buckeyes are using arguably the best draft class ever to their advantage.
5. The Buckeyes could not be more happy with Chase Young's commitment.
Larry Johnson nearly tackled the five-star defensive end when he and Meyer got word Young decided to become a Buckeye.
Buckeye Sports Bulletin photographer Josh Winslow got some excellent shots that captured Johnson's excitement:
5-star DE @youngchase907 telling Larry Johnson Sr he committed to Ohio State #FNL2016 pic.twitter.com/bXMSAKyYhy
— Josh Winslow (@jwinslow7) July 23, 2016
It's a rare thing for Ohio State's normally tranquil defensive line coach to show that much excitement.
Stick with Eleven Warriors for more Friday Night Lights coverage in the coming days.
