During the 2016 recruiting cycle, the Maryland Terrapins had big plans to keep the state's top talent from fleeing its cozy confines. The Buckeyes had something else in mind and the flipping and eventual signing of both Dwayne Haskins and Keandre Jones dashed any hopes of #TheMovement coming to fruition. For the current cycle, Mike Riley and Co. have been focusing on the fertile California recruiting grounds, but Ohio State's efforts have put a bit of a damper on the "Calibraska" hopes.
The Huskers currently have a pair of Californians committed for the Class of 2017. Quarterback Tristan Gebbia (Calabasas, CA) chose Nebraska over offers from Nebraska, Ole Miss, and others. Keyshawn Johnson Jr., a three-star wideout from Mission Viejo (Calabasas), had early interest in Ohio State, but Mike Riley's West Coast ties definitely worked in Nebraska's favor.
Riley served as offensive coordinator at Southern Cal from 1993 until 1996 and has a longstanding relationship with Keyshawn Sr., whom he helped mold into the No. 1 pick of the 1996 NFL Draft. That relationship has played an integral role in Nebraska's recent success out West as the elder Johnson has vowed to help steer prospects toward his former coach.
The cousin of former Buckeye wideout Michael Thomas, Johnson Jr. visited Columbus in July of 2015 for the annual Friday Night Lights camp. Shortly thereafter, he released a list of top schools that included Ohio State, Nebraska, USC, Alabama, and others. The Buckeyes had been in hot pursuit of Trevon Grimes and other 2017 wideouts, so things really just never took off between the two parties.
Johnson committed to the Huskers this past March, and his status has helped Nebraska in their pursuit of what would be an even bigger prize from the state of California. Five-star defensive back Darnay Holmes (Calabasas) was planning on making an official visit to Columbus this weekend, but that no longer appears to be the case and it wouldn't be a shock if it didn't happen at all.
Holmes' official visit schedule has been difficult to keep track of, and while it seems likely he will stay out West, his relationship with the two other Calabasas commits has the Huskers in the hunt; even more so than the Buckeyes right now.
Ohio State's top-ranked 2017 class lists just one player from California – five-star offensive lineman Wyatt Davis (St. John Bosco). However, it's fair to include both Tate Martell and Tyjon Lindsey in that category as well. Both players spent the majority of their lives in California before heading off to the prestigious Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. Lindsey spent his summer back in Corona, CA and was on track to return to the Centennial High School squad. In mid-August, he made the move back to Bishop Gorman where he's spent the 2016 season.
Davis was considered an Alabama lean before going on a bit of a Midwest swing back in June. He checked out Notre Dame, Michigan, and Ohio State, and it didn't take long before the Buckeye drumbeats started to grow. He would go on to set an commitment date and on June 24th announced his intentions to join Josh Myers and Jake Moretti along the future Buckeye offensive line. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder made his official visit to Columbus this past weekend for the Northwestern game.
The recruitment of slot wideout Tyjon Lindsey was, for the most part, a battle between the Buckeyes and Huskers. Nebraska gained some steam last spring and summer before Ohio State ultimately pulled away and landed one of the country's most exciting players in late August; the same day that five-star wideout Trevon Grimes also made his intentions known.
I HAVE OFFICIALLY COMMITTED TO ......... https://t.co/CvY849gsSL #BIGGIEsmalls @TrevonGrimes7
— T-WAYNE (@tyjonlindsey) August 22, 2016
Lindsey's recruitment was especially interesting as it involved a strange little storyline between the two coaching staffs. Ohio State's Zach Smith and Nebraska wide receiver coach Keith Williams went back and forth on Twitter a number of times between April and the late-August commitment. A lot of it was just really awkward and cringeworthy, but I guess in a way it did provide some offseason entertainment.
Hide behind your sales pitches and theories. This @Zone6_OSU life is called FACT, TESTIMONY & REAL TALK.
— Zach Smith #Zone6 (@CoachZachSmith) April 22, 2016
We don't deal in "Sales"
It's a shame how some guys are just natural haters .. It's so unattractive #didyouplayfootballthough? #dontanswerthat #kidswillsayanything
— Keith Williams (@wideouts) April 22, 2016
The 247Sports Recruiter Rankings currently lists Zach Smith as the No. 1 recruiter in the country while Keith Williams checks in at a whopping 154. Things got a little rough in Lincoln this summer as the second-year coach was suspended for the first four games of the season after being arrested and charged with a misdemeanor DUI—his third offense of the kind.
Ohio State is still looking at the possibility of bringing in a tight end this cycle, and right now Sacramento's Josh Falo might be the most likely option. He's also considering Oregon and Colorado, but his recruitment isn't anything to get too excited about until a visit actually takes place.
Nebraska is looking to add another wide receiver and Joseph Lewis (Los Angeles) is a player they would love to add. Lewis is the country's No. 2 wideout and while he was in Lincoln for an official visit last month, Southern Cal will be tough to beat.
Looking ahead to the Class of 2018, Urban Meyer has his sights set on another five-star from the Golden State. Jaiden Woodbey is a USC legacy but has identified the Buckeyes as his early leader. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he already has the ideal measurables to play safety at the next level.
Other 2018 names to watch include running backs T.J. Pledger and Maurice Washington along with cornerback Brendan Radley-Hiles. Pledger and Radley-Hiles both visited Ohio State this summer and have subsequently been crystal balled to Notre Dame (because of course they have). The Buckeyes offered Washington back in June but with Brian Snead already in the fold and Jaelen Gill a likely addition, it may be tough for him to find his way into the 2018 class.
