National Signing Day is one of the biggest days in the recruiting calendar, and with Ohio State signing six players from Cincinnati, we made sure to make a trip down I-71.
A name to know in the 2021 class
Almost every year there are players that perform well at one of Ohio State's summer football camps and get a coveted offer from the Buckeyes. 2021 three-star Paul Rodriguez out of William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio could end up being that guy this summer.
Our first stop during our day in Cincinnati was to Mason High School to talk to Rodriguez. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Rodriguez has all the measurables college coaches look for in an offensive line prospect – he just to work on his footwork. Regardless, he already has a handful of offers and loads of potential. Look for Rodriguez to get even more national attention this spring and summer.
Here is our full interview with the big offensive lineman out of Mason, Ohio:
One of Ohio State hoops' top targets in 2022
The state of Ohio is going to be a hotbed for college basketball recruiting in the coming years. One of the headliners of that group is 2022 four-star combo guard Paul McMillan who transferred to Woodward Career Technical High School prior to this school year.
McMillan already has four offers as a high school sophomore and even more, schools are in contact with the talented guard. As a matter of fact, Ohio State assistant coach Ryan Pedon was in to see McMillan on Dec. 13. The 6-foot-2 guard is known for his ability to score, which was evident with his 39 point performance against Shroder High School the same day that Ohio State stopped by Woodward.
For more on who has reached out to McMillan and what to expect these next few years, here is our full interview:
Star running back very close with Coach Alford
One of the closest watched position in Ohio State's 2021 class will no doubt be running back after the woes experienced in 2020. In the 2021 class, one of the key targets the Buckeye's are pursuing is a Cincinnati product, 2021 four-star Corey Kiner out of Roger Bacon High School.
Kiner had stat-stuffing junior season breaking the 5,000-yard mark through three seasons as the focal point of the Spartans offense. However, with his junior season now complete, Kiner will turn his focus to recruitment. As for Kiner's recruitment, it has taken a few twists and turns when it comes to the top team with Ohio State having their share of the top spot. Regardless of who currently leads for Kiner, one thing Ohio State has in their favor is his fondness for Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford.
For more about Kiner's recruitment and his most recent visit watch our complete interview below:
Lakota West's two sophomores to know
At this point, most Buckeyes fans that follow recruiting know about 6-foot-6 sophomore offensive Tegra Tshabola out of Lakota West who was the first sophomore the Buckeyes offered inside the state of Ohio. The second Lakota West sophomore to know is 6-foot-2 corner Alex Afari whom we wrote about a few weeks ago in a piece about Ohio sophomores.
We were excited to see Tshabola in person since he was billed as a mountain of a man and he most definitely lived up to that billing. Tshabola was very well-spoken and humble for a sophomore who has the caliber of offers that he does. Tshabola had a great sophomore season playing all over the offensive line at Lakota West. Look for his offer to continue to expand this spring with an impressive spring camp season.
Here is our full interview with the giant Ohio sophomore:
As for the lengthy Afari he does have a Pittsburgh offer to his name but with his measurables and football IQ offers will soon roll in. Despite weighing close to 200 pounds as a high school sophomore he fully intends to play cornerback at the college level. Afari is another player that should have a great spring with more experience under his belt.
Listen to our entire interview with Afari here:
