Ohio State's assistant coaches currently hold two of the top three spots in 247Sports' rankings for the nation's best recruiters.
Following Tuesday's update to 247Sports' player rankings, Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline moved up to the No. 1 spot in 247Sports' composite recruiter rankings, climbing ahead of Clemson defensive line coach Todd Bates for the top spot.
Ohio State secondary coach Jeff Hafley, who landed his seventh commitment for the class of 2020 when Kourt Williams committed on Wednesday, still sits third in the assistant coach rankings but has made up ground on Bates while pulling away from the rest of the pack.
Until Tuesday, Bates held the top spot in the rankings after earning commitments from five-star defensive linemen Bryan Bresee and Demonte Capehart, as well as a trio of four-star prospects.
Hartline has one five-star to his own name in Julian Fleming, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Gee Scott Jr. and Mookie Cooper are each also ranked as top-75 overall prospects nationally. He was also a secondary recruiter for Cam Martinez. Hartline is ranked eighth in the early recruiter rankings for 2021, too, as he earned a commitment from 2021 wideout Jayden Ballard in late June and was the secondary recruiter for 2021 quarterback commit Kyle McCord.
With the addition of Williams to the 2020 class, Hafley now has more total commitments to his name than Hartline or Bates. His top commitment is that of No. 4 cornerback Clark Phillips, but he also earned commitments from safety Lathan Ransom and cornerback Lejond Cavazos. He was also the primary recruiter for prospects outside of his position, as New Jersey natives Cody Simon and Luke Wypler have both also committed to Ohio State with Hafley as their primary recruiter. Hafley is considered the primary recruiter for Cam Martinez, as well, though Martinez isn't sure yet whether he will play safety or wide receivers.
Between the two of them, Hartline – who is entering his first full season as Ohio State's wide receivers coach after taking over the position group last summer – and Hafley – who joined the Buckeyes' coaching staff in January – have accounted for 11 of the 22 Ohio State commitments in the 2020 class.
