South Jordan, Utah, Bingham four-star defensive tackle Jay Tufele narrowed down his list of 21 scholarship offers to seven schools on Saturday afternoon, listing Ohio State alongside BYU, Michigan, UCLA, USC, Utah and Washington.
The 6-foot-3, 297-pounder is considered the top player in the Beehive State, having recorded 120 tackle and 16.5 sacks in two varsity seasons with the Miners.
Top 7..... #blessed pic.twitter.com/NJFIPDpRsg
— Jay Tufele (@tufele123) September 24, 2016
Tufele has unfortunately been unable to play for Bingham so far this season after an MRI revealed ligament damage to his foot. Head coach John Lamboure said the injury, which occurred while Tufele participated at Nike's The Opening in July, is not believed to be season-ending.
The coaching staff and medical personnel are taking extra precautions before inserting Tufele back into competition because Lamborne believes he has a legitimate opportunity to start as a true freshman in college next season.
Ohio State has already secured commitments from defensive tackles Jerron Cage, of Cincinnati Winton Woods, and Haskell Garrett, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Bishop Gorman. But the Buckeyes are considered the odds-on favorite to land Tufele.
Things have been relatively quiet in Tufele's recruitment, and the only official visit he has set is for Michigan on Oct. 22. He is expected to visit Columbus at some point this season, however, before announcing his college intentions at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7.
