Football is officially back.
The high school season kicks off this weekend and ESPN is yet again set to feature a number of Ohio State's commitments and targets. A year ago, the likes of Nick Bosa, Trevon Grimes, Isaiah Pryor, Tate Martell, and Tyjon Lindsey took the field as football-deprived fans across the country tuned into the Worldwide Leader in Sports.
The 2016 version actually took place a little over a week after a very important offer was extended; an offer that worked out quite well for the Buckeyes.
If offered #OhioState would be a strong contender for the best slot WR in America, the TD Maker, Tyjon Lindsey: http://t.co/Cyg8sRxYcb
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) August 14, 2015
This weekend will see the latter three Buckeye commits – along with several other targets – back on center stage. For those wanting an early dose of football before the bulk of the college season gets underway (and why wouldn't you?), here's a preview of the weekend festivities.
No. 9 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) vs. St. Xavier (Cincinnati) • 5PM Saturday • ESPNU
The big fish to watch at Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium today will be five-star offensive line commit Wyatt Davis. The nation's top-rated guard made the call for the Buckeyes back in June, and right now he appears to be the final piece to the 2017 offensive line haul. Davis is a mauler in the trenches and will look to pave the way against St. X.
Looking ahead to 2018, defensive back Jaiden Woodbey received an Ohio State just about a week before the Davis commitment, and the five-star has identified the Buckeyes as his leader. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Woodbey had planned a summer trip to Columbus, but those plans ended up falling through. The speculation had been that a commitment could take place on the visit, but it looks like the Buckeyes will continue to battle USC and others for his services.
The St. Xavier offense will be led by Penn State quarterback commit Sean Clifford. Clifford checks in as the No. 181 player in the country and is the nation's seventh-ranked pro-style quarterback.
No. 2 Grayson (Loganville, GA) vs. No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) • 6PM Saturday • ESPN2
One of the biggest high school match-ups of the season will go down on Saturday as Grayson takes on IMG Academy. Every college in America continues to try and build the pipeline to Bradenton, and Urban Meyer has Ohio State right at the forefront.
Kerry Coombs alongside IMG Academy's Isaiah Pryor and Marcus Williamson.
Buckeye commits Isaiah Pryor and Marcus Williamson will both be suiting up for IMG. Five-star 2018 target Taron Vincent – the nation's top defensive tackle prospect – will also be one to watch. Cornerback Houston Griffith is another 2018 prospect with offers from all over the country, including Ohio State.
Grayson has a loaded secondary that features two of the nation's top corners. Deangelo Gibbs, the country's No. 5 corner, appears to be leaning toward the in-state Bulldogs and the No. 8 player at the position – Jamyest Williams – will be making his announcement on Saturday. Williams stopped by Ohio State when he was in town for The Opening Regionals last spring, but right now South Carolina is the likely landing spot.
No. 3 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) vs. No. 5 Cedar Hill (Texas) • 9PM Saturday • ESPN2
This should be a fun one for Buckeye fans as 2017 quarterback commit Tate Martell looks to lead Bishop Gorman to an eighth-consecutive state title and yet another national title. The Gaels are on a 39-game winning streak but face stiff competition in the Lonestar State.
Fellow 2017 commit Haskell Garrett, the nation's No. 4 defensive tackle, will look to control the interior part of the line for Bishop Gorman. Garrett's cousin – 2018 linebacker Palaie Gaoteote – also holds a Buckeye offer and Ohio State remains the crystal ball favorite.
Five-star 2017 wideout Tyjon Lindsey made the call for the good guys on Monday, but it remains to be seen if he will participate after suffering a shoulder injury last weekend.
Cedar Hill is led by Notre Dame quarterback commit Avery Davis, the nation's eighth-ranked dual-threat passer. Four-star wide receiver and Oklahoma commit Charleston Rambo should be his favorite targets this season. After taking home the state title in 2014, the Longhorns fell to Southlake Carroll in the first round of last year's playoffs.
No. 18 Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville) vs. Cocoa (FL) • 2PM Sunday • ESPN2
Sunday will provide the opportunity to check out one of the Buckeyes highest-rated and long-time commitments versus another one-time Ohio State pledge. Five-star defensive back Shaun Wade and Trinity Christian will be squaring off against Bruce Judson and Cocoa.
Wade has been committed since January of 2015 and is planning to take all five officials this fall. Right now, those visits include Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and likely Alabama. Judson has had a very up-and-down recruitment and is now committed to USF.
The Trinity Christian offense is led by one of the nation's top wide receivers in four-star Florida State commit D.J. Matthews.
