The 11W Recruiting Mailbag is your one-stop shop for all things Ohio State recruiting. You have questions. We have answers.
When it comes to pass-catchers, are we looking at only taking one tight end and only two wide receivers? It doesn't seem like outside of the big targets, we're in the mix or pushing for others right now. - Calgarybuck
After taking three wide receivers last cycle, the staff hasn't really put extra emphasis on the position this year. They know who they want first and foremost — St. Louis four-star Kamryn Babb and Huber Heights Wayne four-star L'Christian "Blue" Smith — and anything above and beyond that is an added bonus.
Of course, names like California five-star Amon-Ra St. Brown, Texas five-star Brennan Eagles, Texas four-star Al'vonte Woodard, Kentucky four-star Rondale Moore, Georgia four-star Kearis Jackson, among a host of others, have been thrown around over the last few months. And though all of them have — or in Moore's case, had — interest in Ohio State, the Buckeyes face uphill battles in each one of the respective recruitments for various reasons, though mostly distance.
Babb and Blue remain the lone constants, and a that haul would/will be good enough in itself after landing Trevon Grimes and Jaylen Harris last winter.
As for tight end, Ohio State sits in a great spot with New York four-star Jeremy Ruckert. The only issue is that the staff hasn't really pinpointed anyone else to join him at the position. Zach Sheffer had significant interest before he committed to LSU last week, while Mustapha Muhammad remains an option despite being a perceived Michigan lean.
So that's where Blue enters the picture again. He's seemingly accepted the fact that Ohio State may look to him to play tight end at the next level despite his reservations. And to me, no matter the spot you place them, Babb, Blue and Ruckert would be one heck of an offensive haul.
I know we are excited that Micah Parsons decommitted from Penn State, but what is the bird on your shoulder telling you about his final decision? - Seattle Linga
It's not often a player decommits from a school and ends up reentering the fold later on, but that's certainly a possibility for Parsons. When he reopened his recruitment, he made it clear that was the result of him making his decision too early, not because he wanted to commit to another school.
He also made multiple trips to Columbus while committed to the Nittany Lions, and constantly had to listen to fans of both programs badger him about a potential flip as a result. This decision allows him to see other schools without feeling guilty. And I respect that.
What's interesting, though, is Penn State is the only school he's been to since. He was on campus three times last month for camps or unofficial visits. His relationship with the staff remains intact, and they're intent on bringing him back into the fold in the coming months.
Parsons plans to visit other schools this summer, including Alabama. But Ohio State, of course, remains the biggest threat. Running back commit Jaelen Gill has repeatedly called him his top target, and the two talk regularly. They've been hanging out at The Opening this weekend, too.
So where do things stand? Parsons isn't close to a decision. He's going to take it slow this time around, visit other schools and then make his decision this December. Will it be Ohio State? I think if Larry Johnson wants him as bad as the rest of the current commits do, then yes. But if Johnson sees a higher ceiling or less baggage in someone like Jayson Oweh, that may very well be the move instead.
I look at it like this, though. Ohio State and Penn State are going to end up with Parsons and Oweh. Which one goes where is still up for debate.
Who is most likely to join Taron Vincent as a defensive tackle in the class and does the staff want two or three in 2018? - Beantown_Buckeye
If you would have asked me this question last month, my answer would have been American Heritage four-star Nesta Silvera. Despite his commitment to Miami, there was significant talk of a flip in the days following his teammate Andrew Chatfield's pledge.
In the weeks since, however, that chatter has died down a bit. Silvera, however interested he may actually be, hasn't backed away from his commitment or shown an interest in taking an unofficial visit to Ohio State. Unless he makes it to Columbus in the near future, I'm not as sure a flip is going to happen as I once was.
That said, one thing I am certain of is Cleveland Heights' four-star defensive end Tyreke Smith and is eventual pledge to the Buckeyes. And once he's on campus, I think he's going to shift inside, especially with the way the aforementioned Johnson likes to rotate his defensive linemen. Does that count?
If not, another name to keep in mind is former Auburn defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson. He nearly signed with Ohio State in 2016, but chose the Tigers instead. After redshirting his freshman year, Jackson transferred to Blinn junior college, and he'll be back on the open market this December. I expect the Buckeyes to make a significant push this fall and Jackson to follow in Kendall Sheffield's rather fresh footprints.
Is there any shot Brennan Eagles winds up with the Buckeyes come the first week in February? Very impressed with this kid, but haven't seen any buzz around him and Ohio State lately? - KansasBuckeye
The only person who can answer that is Eagles himself, and he's unfortunately not conducting interviews until his high school career is over after being misquoted by a reporter earlier this year.
That said, he's certainly one of the top receivers in the country. I got an up-close look at him during Friday's practice at The Opening Finals, and he reminds me a lot of former Ohio State wideouts Michael Thomas and Noah Brown. Not the fastest guy, but he's big-bodied with great hands and not afraid of contact.
Eagles was set to make his college announcement in two weeks, but pushed it back due to "technical difficulties." Texas, naturally, has long been considered the favorite in his recruiting, and I expected him to pledge his services to the Longhorns that day. Heck, he was wearing a burnt orange backpack on Friday, too.
There's always a chance he visits Columbus, but I'm also not sure the staff is as high on Eagles as we all once thought.
What's the word on K'Vaughan Pope? Is Ohio State really waiting on his grades or are they slow-playing for Solomon Tuliaupupu? Maybe a combo of both? Haven't heard much since he camped. - ScarletAndGame
When it comes to Pope — and, by extension, Michael Harris — it's not about their grades. Let's be honest.
If they were considered five-star prospects or the top target at their position, they'd already be committed. Both want to play for Ohio State and both have said they wanted to commit in the last few months. But recruiting is a chess match. You move one piece and it impacts the whole board.
With Tuliaupupu still out there and extremely interested in the Buckeyes, the staff isn't going to slam the door on his chances of landing in Columbus by accepting a pledge from Pope or Harris just yet.
I personally think Pope would be a great pickup and that they should have taken him two weeks ago. And depending on what happens at the position this fall in terms of departures for the NFL, the staff might need to add as many as five linebackers this cycle. But then again, Pope and Harris will still likely be interested in Ohio State months from now, too. Why rush?
Are there any Ohio kids who don't currently have an Ohio State offer that you think could still be in line to get one? - Iowabuckeyes
You know, Urban Meyer and Mark Pantoni stood at the podium on National Signing Day and said they'd like to have half the class be from Ohio. But looking at the top in-state prospects, I just don't see any way that happens anytime soon.
And I'm not just talking this year. Next year's shaping up to be more of the same, with only four or five players truly worthy of an offer from Ohio State.
I could throw names out there: Pickerington Central four-star tight end Trenton Gillison, St. Ignatius four-star offensive tackle Darian Kinnard, Fairfield four-star defensive end Malik Vann and Cincinnati LaSalle four-star tight end Josh Whyle to name a few. But given the way the Buckeyes are recruiting right now, there's no need to take a lesser-quality prospect just because he's from Ohio.
No matter how much some people want it, that's not how you compete for national championships year-in and year-out.
Anyway, to answer your question, one of the four above-mentioned prospects. And it all depends on how things shake out with priority targets at their position.
Who is the out-of-left-field recruit that you as an insider have a hunch about for this class that we mere mortals haven't considered? - EvanstonBuckeye
I was asked a similar question last month, and it's funny because that was likely the first time many of you had heard of K'Vaughan Pope. I also mentioned Rondale Moore, who has since committed to Texas, and Missouri three-star defensive end Daniel Carson.
I remain interested in Carson, though it seems as if Nebraska is making a move to land him following its rendition of Friday Night Lights. With two defensive ends already in the fold and the above-mentioned Smith, Parsons and Oweh still uncommitted, I'm not sure Ohio State is putting the necessary time in with Carson to keep him on the hook long enough for the position to sort itself out.
At this point, we pretty much know who the staff wants and which prospects make up the second tier of targets. But with so many top targets still undecided, it's hard to pinpoint anyone truly off the radar just yet.
If Brian Snead flees to Oregon, who is next in line for us to pursue for running back No. 2? - DenBuck
Let me get this out of the way: I do not think Snead is going anywhere. He's been the subject of countless rumors since he committed out of the blue at Friday Night Lights last July, and his silence on social media and with reporters leaves room for people to stir the pot.
Unless he actually visits Oregon — or any other school for that matter — you all need to quit worrying.
But, for the sake of this exercise, I'll still answer your question.
I'm not a big fan of hypothetical situations, either, but I'd wager the staff would pursue Notre Dame four-star running back commit Markese Stepp. Though he's been committed to the Fighting Irish for over a year and doesn't yet hold an offer from the Buckeyes, another down year in South Bend could leave him looking elsewhere.
Stepp is also from the same high school as linebacker Pete Werner and wide receiver Terry McLaurin (Indianapolis Cathedral), so the staff has ties there previously. Just a guess.
If Ohio State could flip a single player from any school, who would you pick and why? - KefTheBeerMan
USC five-star linebacker commit Palaie Gaoteote. In fact, the staff is still trying pretty hard to get him to come back to campus for another visit this fall.
Many felt the Bishop Gorman connection and his cousin, Haskell Garrett, would be enough to sway his pledge to Ohio State in the first place. But distance and his Polynesian roots played a significant role in his decision to pick the Trojans.
Gaoteote, Dallas Gant and Teradja Mitchell would certainly make one heck of a linebacker core. But I still don't think the Buckeyes have a chance to change his mind, and any visit would just be out of courtesy to a staff that has been nothing but top notch to him and his family.
