Building Pipelines is Crucial to Ohio State's National Recruiting Approach

Consistently recruiting the country's top high school prospects can be a challenge for elite college football programs, even if you can point to having the best four-year record in college football history or flaunt your jewelry from a recent national championship run.

Because Ohio State has had it relatively easy on the recruiting trail recently, that three-game stretch to capture the inaugural College Football Playoff title seemingly stands a springboard to the top of the recruiting rankings. But when the brilliance of that trophy starts to fade, the Buckeyes will be able to maintain those lofty expectations as a result of the bonds forged with some of the nation's elite high school football programs.

And while these schools alone are not enough to fill out a championship roster, building pipelines to schools like Bishop Gorman and St. Thomas Aquinas are essential in order for Ohio State to remain a national power.

GLENVILLE (CLEVELAND, OHIO)

Over the years, Ohio State has made its presence felt at a number of premier high school programs, but none are more notable that its relationship with Cleveland Glenville. Coached by the legendary Ted Ginn Sr., the Tarblooders have sent a whopping 22 prospects to Columbus over the last 15 years.

Troy Smith was the first Glenville product to commit to Ohio State, and though many considered him a throw-in to the 2002 class, he went on to become the first Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in school history.

The Buckeyes also grabbed All-Big Ten safety Donte Whitner and All-American receiver/returner Ted Ginn from Glenville in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

And though the list has some other notable or infamous names — depending on how you look at it — such as Ray Small, Marcus Hall and Christian Bryant, none may remain in Ohio State lore quite like Cardale Jones. His career had some bumps along the way, but the Buckeyes wouldn't have won the national championship without him.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA)

St. Thomas Aquinas has become a household name in recent years, as Ohio State has broadened its national recruiting approach under head coach Urban Meyer.

The Raiders have sent a number of recruits to Columbus, including defensive back Nate Salley and wide receiver Duron Carter — if only for a season for the latter. However, none are more notable than Joey Bosa, who ranks among the top five in school history in four marquee defensive categories.

His career, which culminated in being the third overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, opened the door for Ohio State to recruit his younger brother, Nick, and wide receiver Trevon Grimes. 

CASS TECHNICAL (DETROIT, MICHIGAN)

Prior to Meyer's arrival, the thought of Ohio State having a recruiting pipeline in Michigan would have been laughable, let alone a powerhouse like Cass Technical. That all changed, though, when Meyer and defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs placed an emphasis on planting a flag in the state up north.

Former coach Jim Tressel was able to pull defensive end Vernon Gholston out of the state in 2004, but the Buckeyes made a splash by signing safety Damon Webb a decade later. Webb, along with 2015 running back Mike Weber, are Technicians set to start for the Buckeyes when the season kicks off this Saturday against Bowling Green.

The Wolverines will undoubtedly fight to take back Cass Tech, as evident by their lead in Crystal Ball prognostications for wide receiver Donovan People-Jones and safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell. But the inroads already made in Detroit will play dividends for the Buckeyes this season.

IMG ACADEMY (BRADENTON, FLORIDA)

Like St. Thomas Aquinas, IMG Academy sits in one of the most talent-rich areas of the country. And that, combined with the school's reputation as a football factory that helps athletes enter college academically qualified, will keep the Ascenders stocked with five-star talent for years to come.

The program has only been around since 2010, and is unique in the fact that prospects transfer there mainly for their final season of high school eligibility. That can be said of Ohio State offensive tackle Tyler Gerald and defensive lineman Malik Barrow, who transferred in from Portsmouth and Tampa, Florida, respectively, as well as 2017 commits Marcus Williamson and Isaiah Pryor, who descended upon Brandenton from Westerville and Lawrenceville, Georgia, respectively.

And though each of them pledged their services before ever playing a down for IMG, Ohio State has been in contact with several other uncommitted Ascenders, and should be major players for a pair of prospects in the next recruiting cycle.

BISHOP GORMAN (LAS VEGAS, NEVADA)

Prior to the current recruiting cycle, Bishop Gorman was nothing but a blip on the Ohio State recruiting radar. But now that three blue chip prospects — quarterback Tate Martell, wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey and defensive tackle Haskell Garrett — have committed to the Buckeyes, Las Vegas doesn't seem so far away.

This pipeline is still in its infancy, but linebacker Palaie Gaoteote is another name to watch. The top-ranked linebacker in the Class of 2018 was the star of this past weekend's nationally televised win over Cedar Hill, Texas, and may be the best player on the Gaels roster.