It’s a drum that's been beaten many times by Ohio State recruiting reporters over the last few months.
You all know the sentence by now: The Buckeyes have yet to land a 2023 commitment from any recruit at any position. As high school games kick off for most states around the country on Friday, Ohio State still hasn't landed a single commitment from a player in the junior class.
But that may be changing soon.
Ty Lockwood, one of the most highly touted tight ends for the class of 2023, announced he’ll be giving his verbal to his school of choice at 1 p.m. Thursday.
Committing Thursday, August 19 @ 12pm CST. #gonoles #Gobucks #weare #spursup
— Ty Lockwood (@TyLockwood7) August 18, 2021
Lockwood is rated as the 142nd best player and the eighth-best tight end in the class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He announced a top four of Ohio State, Penn State, Florida State and South Carolina on July 31.
When Lockwood spoke with Eleven Warriors in mid-July, he made it clear Ohio State was in his top three and that finding a brotherhood and a strong academic-based school were top priorities in choosing a school. He camped with Ohio State in June, then later attended the Buckeye Bash & BBQ on July 29.
“It was one of my best visits, easily,” Lockwood said of the June visit on July 17. “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.”
Lockwood, who was offered by the Buckeyes in February, averaged 14.1 yards per catch in his sophomore season for Independence High School (Thompson’s Station, Tennessee). The 6-foot-5, 225-pound tight end also had 43 receptions for 606 yards and three touchdowns.
With it looking more and more likely Bennett Christian will be the Buckeyes’ only tight end signed in 2022, OSU could take two tight ends in 2023. Lockwood, who will open his 2021 season against Christ Presbyterian Academy on Friday, could be the first addition to that group.
“Captain Buckeye” is confident Lockwood will be.
— CJ KING Hicks (@imcjhicks) August 18, 2021
Tate sets commit date
Another priority target for Ohio State in the class of 2023 also announced his commitment date on Tuesday. Carnell Tate, the ninth-ranked wide receiver in the class, announced Tuesday evening he’d pick his school of choice on Oct. 8.
Commitment. https://t.co/X4FEwM8zSu
— Carnell Tate (@carnelltate_) August 17, 2021
Tate was offered by the Buckeyes on April 23 and visited Ohio State twice in June. He's close friends with another Buckeye wide receiver target, Braylon James, and the pair have discussed teaming up together in college. Entering his junior year, 31 schools have offered Tate, including a new offer from Auburn as recently as this week.
Extremely blessed to receive an offer from Auburn University! #WarEagle@CoachCaddy24 pic.twitter.com/eunSIiXQDt
— Carnell Tate (@carnelltate_) August 17, 2021
Tate plays at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida), but transferred there from Marist High School (Chicago, Illinois) after catching 28 passes for 444 yards with five touchdowns as a freshman. He has yet to play a game for IMG Academy. He's the No. 58 overall prospect nationally.
A pair of 247Sports Crystal Balls for Tate are split, with one analyst predicting the 6-foot-2, 185-pound wideout will land with the Buckeyes while another forecasts he will commit to Notre Dame.
Öhrström commits to Texas A&M
One of Ohio State’s top tight end targets for 2023 has made his decision, and it’s not Ohio State. Theodor Melin Öhrström, a four-star rated as the No. 180th overall prospect and No. 14 tight end in the cycle, announced his verbal commitment to Texas A&M on Wednesday.
COMMITTED!! #Gigem pic.twitter.com/BaBGActeEL
— Theodor Melin hrstrm (@TheodorMelin) August 18, 2021
Öhrström picked the Aggies over Ohio State and LSU.
