The Hurry Up: Summing Up the Ohio State Spring Game Recruiting Efforts

Who Was in Town for the Spring Game?

While Ohio State has already welcomed in several top recruits for a makeshift, massive spring recruiting weekend in late-March, which featured No. 1 wide receiver Julian Fleming and recent cornerback commit Lejond Cavazos, the annual Scarlet and Gray Spring Game always includes some of the top targets of the current and upcoming classes. Saturday was no different.

The visit that surprised the most was Cavazos, who just committed to Ohio State on Friday. That seems to make his tweet about having made up his mind Thursday more understandable if he made the trip from Florida for the game on Saturday. Cavazos arrived and was clearly content with his decision, as he walked in with Ohio State Texas wideout commit Jaxon Smith-Njigba and had a conversation with five-star offensive tackle commit Paris Johnson Jr. as well.

Speaking of Johnson, the offensive tackle, having made waves with his tweets about his and Darrion Henry and Jaheim Thomas' southern visits in the last month, Johnson was in Columbus for the spring game. The first conversation he had with coaches in front of the media was with defensive graduate assistant Kenny Akunine, and it was evident the two have a good relationship. 

Princeton High School four-star defensive end Darrion Henry, who was perhaps the most anticipated recruit of the day that wasn't already committed, took a photo with Johnson, Cavazos, Smith-Njigba, quarterback commit Jack Miller, California wideout L.V. Bunkley-Shelton and Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, which bodes well for the Buckeyes in Henry's recruitment.

The future of @OhioStateFB @ParisJohnsonJr @jackjamesmiller @lejondaryy @darrion_henry @MonicaCLJohnson #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/4DweGmvQVZ

— Adam Clements (@AClementsWKRC) April 13, 2019

Pennsylvania quarterback-wide receiver duo Kyle McCord and Marvin Harrison Jr. were also at the game after telling Eleven Warriors that Ohio State is "at the top" of both of their lists. The St. Joseph's Prep four-star prospects didn't make the trip alone, though. NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison was back in Columbus after having visited for Ohio State's Pro Day in March. For 2021 recruits, Ohio State looks as good as gold with the two Pennsylvania teammates.

Feels more like HME every second Im here. Love you all Buckeye Nation #ZONE6 #WRU pic.twitter.com/G4qX6laSkq

— Marvin Harrison Jr. (@MarvHarrisonJr) April 13, 2019

Ironton High School athlete Reid Carrico was extended an offer before the spring game. The No. 9 Ohio recruit is begin recruited as a linebacker by the Buckeyes, and with that offer, it wouldn't be surprising if Carrico immediately began considering a commitment.

Indiana's No. 1 2021 recruit, Yanni Karlaftis, the brother of 2019's No. 1 Indiana recruit George Karlaftis, also made the visit. The No. 5 running back in the 2021 class, Corey Kiner out of Cincinnati, also visited, and four-star 2021 wideout Jayden Ballard made his way to Columbus from Massillon to pay a visit.

Two Prospects Commit Away from Ohio State

Two prospects that did not make the trip to Ohio State decided to make a decision on their commitments Saturday.

Terah Edwards, a two-way lineman out of Groveport Madison who Ohio State was recruiting for the defensive line, chose to commit to Northwestern in a surprise decision. An Ohio State offer was not out of the realm of possibility for Edwards, as the Buckeyes wanted to see him perform in a camp this summer, but Edwards has said that he wouldn't wait for teams if he felt like he had found the place for him.

Committed!! #Wildcatwave20 @NUFBFamily pic.twitter.com/2VYsaowmy0

— Terah Edwards (@light_work__) April 13, 2019

That place seemed to be Michigan State if it wasn't Ohio State, but Edwards decided upon Northwestern instead. Edwards was rated as the No. 957 overall prospect in the 2020 class but played and rated better than his ratings at The Opening Regional in Massillon on March 31.

Michigan wide receiver Devell Washington committed to West Virginia on Saturday too. He had narrowed his list to five teams, with West Virginia being the only program not in the Midwest.

Washington said he was "really, really close" to committing to Ohio State in the summer of 2018 when he received his Buckeye offer, but eventually the interest from the Buckeyes weakened and Washington hadn't heard from Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline for some weeks.

Washington had a strong performance at The Opening Regional in Massillon and contended for the wide receiver MVP award.