It was impossible for him not to notice.
When four-star 2023 tight end Ty Lockwood visited Ohio State in early June, he observed how the Buckeyes’ coaching staff interacted amongst themselves. It was unlike most of his other trips that month.
“It was one of my best visits, easily,” Lockwood told Eleven Warriors Sunday. “I loved the coaches there and obviously the facilities are great. I could just tell there was a brotherhood feel to it. All the coaches were talking to each other, knew each other and were like best friends. It was good to see that, because I didn’t see that out of a lot of other schools, for sure.”
Finding a “brotherhood” is one of the most important qualities Lockwood is searching for in a prospective school, along with an institution with a strong academic reputation. He views OSU as a strong contender in meeting both of those needs.
“Definitely I’d say they’re in my top three right now,” Lockwood said of OSU.
Lockwood currently resides in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, but has only lived there since last summer. He spent most of his life in the Chicago area, but didn’t have a consistent favorite team growing up.
“To be honest, when I was young, I was such a bandwagon fan,” Lockwood said. “I’m not gonna lie to you. If they were good, I liked them.”
Lockwood, who is ranked as the 98th-best player in the 2023 class and the fifth-best tight end by 247Sports’ composite rankings, averaged 14.1 yards per catch in his sophomore season for Independence High School. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound tight end also had 43 receptions for 606 yards and three touchdowns.
Ohio State's coaches talked to Lockwood during his visit about how he could fit in the Buckeyes’ offense.
“We went into a little meeting, we looked at all the schemes and the concepts,” Lockwood said. “It’s kind of all the same stuff I’m doing right now at my school. I think they see me as a (Jeremy) Ruckert type of player. I’m basically doing the same stuff he’s doing right now. I’ll go out wide, I’ll split out, I’m in stack or I’ll be inside on the line.”
Lockwood will visit Columbus again on July 29, where he will attend a BBQ with a plethora of other recruits. He also plans to visit Auburn and Florida State, with potentially one other visit mixed in.
“If this BBQ goes well, I’m pretty sure we will (try to come to a game in the fall),” Lockwood said. “I’m thinking after these July visits I’ll make a list and narrow it down to a top seven or maybe a top five. After my junior season, I’ll make a decision.”
Hasz releases Top 8
Another top tight end prospect for 2023 has narrowed down his recruitment to eight schools, and Ohio State is still in the running. Luke Hasz, the No. 1-ranked tight end prospect in the class, announced a top eight of OSU, Oklahoma, Texas, LSU, TCU, Arkansas, Alabama and Oklahoma State.
One step closer #AGTG pic.twitter.com/PQRSwyfrX3
— Luke Hasz (@LukeHasz5) July 18, 2021
Hasz was offered by Ohio State in mid-March and visited Columbus on June 5. During his sophomore season, Hasz caught 36 passes for 847 yards with 11 touchdowns for Bixby (Oklahoma) High School en route to leading the Spartans to their third straight state championship. Along with Lockwood, Hasz is one of nine 2023 tight ends with an Ohio State offer.
Ausberry announces top 10
This Hurry-Up isn’t just exclusively about tight ends.
Jaiden Ausberry, the 30th-best prospect and the second-best linebacker in the class of 2023, trimmed his list of potential schools down to 10 on Saturday. Those include Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, Texas A&M, USC, Florida, Michigan, Texas, Georgia and Notre Dame.
Gods Plan pic.twitter.com/vy8Yudv8Yp
— Jaiden Ausberry (@AusberryJaiden) July 17, 2021
Ausberry’s offer came only recently, with OSU linebackers coach Al Washington presenting the Baton Rouge, Louisiana resident with one on June 22 after a strong camp in Columbus. A 6-foot, 195-pound linebacker, Ausberry’s Louisiana ties obviously give him a strong connection to LSU by residence alone, but his father, Verge Ausberry, is employed by the school as the university’s executive deputy athletic director and executive director of external relations. The elder Ausberry, who has worked for the athletic department for 19 years, played for the Tigers and led the team in tackles twice.
Webb picks Oklahoma
One of the top running back prospects for the class of 2023 is headed elsewhere.
Treyaun Webb, the 46th-best player nationally in the class of 2023, verbally committed to Oklahoma on Saturday after narrowing down his final three to Ohio State, Oklahoma and Georgia.
Whats Understood Aint For Everybody To Understand ... #Committed #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/Z0boDDvO5F
— Treyaun Webb (@w_treyaun) July 17, 2021
With Webb heading elsewhere, the Buckeyes will turn their focus to other targets such as Richard Young (rated the nation’s best 2023 running back), Rueben Owens and Justice Haynes.
