Marcelles Williams grew up rooting for USC.
It makes sense, given the 2024 cornerback’s California roots. But lately, he’s developed a new allegiance.
“I’ve recently been rooting for Ohio State though when they make the playoffs,” Williams told Eleven Warriors. “They’re usually the team I go for over like Clemson and Alabama. They’re DBU, basically. I’ve always rooted for the DB teams with all the corners and safeties.”
The multitude of OSU defensive backs that have become NFL prospects was one of the biggest pitches Buckeyes defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs made to the St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) product when he visited Columbus on June 17.
“We talked a lot about football and a lot about Ohio State,” Williams said. “A lot about the things they could do for you. A little bit about technique and some of the corners that came from there and what they’re doing now.
“Right when I got there, we went into meetings with the coaches. Coach Coombs, he talked about guys like Bradley Roby and what guys like that are doing now with their NFL team. He went over things they do that make them great.”
By now, most OSU recruiting fans have heard the wild story of the Buckeyes offering Williams and three other defensive backs from his high school – Peyton Woodyard, RJ Jones, Jshawn Frausto-Ramos – on the same day.
“It’s special,” Williams said of his high school teammates, all of whom are defensive backs. “We’re all teammates and all really close. We push each other at practice and we all make each other better. We just love competing with each other. I’d take my guys over anybody.”
The St. John Bosco to Ohio State pipeline is already well-established. Current OSU safety Kourt Williams II played high school ball for the Braves, as did former Buckeye guard Wyatt Davis. Ohio State is also heavily recruiting current St. John Bosco offensive lineman Earnest Greene.
Williams, who has 13 offers from different schools, said he is considering attending Ohio State’s home opener against Oregon on Sept. 11.
Proctor could visit OSU again
Ohio State’s biggest priority target on the offensive line for 2023 will likely attend a game in Columbus this fall.
Kadyn Proctor, the No. 5 overall prospect and the best tackle in the 2023 class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, told Rivals this week he plans to visit colleges every other week in the fall and will likely start with the schools closest to his home in Des Moines, Iowa. No other visits have been set in stone, though.
“Probably every other weekend trying to get out somewhere after I play Friday,” Proctor told Rivals. “I know I’m going to the Iowa vs. Iowa State game (on Sept. 11), probably also going to try to make the closer ones like Ohio (State) and Notre Dame. Probably will have to get some planning going for Clemson, Alabama and the southern schools and schools out west too.”
The 6-foot-7, 300-pound tackle visited Ohio State and Notre Dame in June, and it’s likely going to be later rather than sooner when he eventually makes a decision.
“As far as recruiting, it’ll probably be a little bit later than everyone else,” he told Rivals. “I’m trying to live out my high school career … It’ll be later in the process.”
Delp leaves OSU out
Oscar Delp, a four-star tight end in the class of 2022, announced a final four on Thursday and left Ohio State off the list. The Cumming, Georgia resident is down to Michigan, Georgia, Clemson and South Carolina.
Final 4. pic.twitter.com/uSSX3IkFyu
— Oscar Delp (@DelpOscar) August 12, 2021
Delp earned an offer from OSU in October of 2020. As of now, OSU only has one tight end commit in the 2022 class, Bennett Christian. After the decommitment of Benji Gosnell in late July, Delp was the only other tight end in the class that had an offer from Ohio State that hadn’t committed elsewhere. It looks more and more likely the Buckeyes may just take one tight end in this year’s class.
Ohio State offered 10 tight ends in the class of 2023 and hosted nine of them on recruiting visits during the month of June, so it's possible the Buckeyes could take multiple tight ends in the next cycle.
