When four-star linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa became the first player from the 2024 class to receive an offer from Ohio State in April, the St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) product couldn’t help but feel grateful.
“A program like that making me the first one to be offered in my class, it’s a real blessing,” Viliamu-Asa said.
Viliamu-Asa took an unofficial visit to Ohio State on June 17. When he stepped off the plane the night prior, he knew he wasn’t in Kansas – er, California – anymore.
“It was definitely different than California, but I like it out there,” Viliamu-Asa said of his opinion of Columbus. “When we hopped off the plane it was 8 p.m. and the sun was still up. That was kind of surprising. Columbus overall, I like it out there.”
While on campus, Viliamu-Asa met with linebackers coach Al Washington. Washington, who was the first Ohio State coach Viliamu-Asa heard from, broke down film with the 6-foot-2, 205-pound sophomore.
“I met coach Washington and got to talk with him for a little bit. I got to go into the linebacker room and watch a bit of film,” Viliamu-Asa said. “He liked where I’m at right now, he definitely likes my size and my use of my hands along with my versatility as well.”
It’s early in Viliamu-Asa’s recruiting process. But the Buckeyes are strongly on his radar.
“I don’t really have top schools or anything,” he said. “But Ohio State is definitely a school I would consider … Having a chance to play in those big games and just being on that stage, it’s crazy.”
The accolades for Viliamu-Asa continue to pour in, as the St. John Bosco product was recently ranked the 10th-best prospect in the 2024 class by 247Sports when the recruiting network released its initial top 100 rankings for the cycle.
“It meant a lot,” Viliamu-Asa said of the ranking. “It’s just a little way of seeing some of the hard work I’ve been doing pay off a little bit, but it’s also motivation to keep going the rest of my high school career.”
White plans to visit OSU
One of the top Ohio State defensive line targets for 2022 plans on taking an unofficial visit this fall to watch the Buckeyes play. Four-star edge rusher Enai White told 247Sports this week he plans on taking unofficials to OSU, Alabama and Georgia, each of which he already took official visits to this summer.
He only has one official visit remaining, which he says will be with either Oregon or Texas A&M. An Oregon visit would be a new angle in his recruitment, considering he made a final four of OSU, Texas A&M, Alabama and Georgia. He’s also reportedly considering Clemson. A 6-foot-5, 230-pound prospect, White is considered the 34th-best player in the cycle and the third-best edge rusher.
White is expected to announce a decision in December. Top defensive line targets for Ohio State in the 2022 class besides White include Shemar Stewart, Kenyatta Jackson, Marvin Jones Jr., Caden Curry, Hero Kanu, Chris McClellan, Omari Abor and Christen Miller.
Grayes dislocates elbow
Wednesday brought some unfortunate news regarding an Ohio State 2022 commit. Four-star Arizona wide receiver Kyion Grayes reportedly suffered a dislocated elbow in a scrimmage on Wednesday.
Updated story on Kyion Grayes w/ video comments from @GarretsonRick https://t.co/u6c3VPbZ3g
— Sports360AZ (@Sports360AZ) August 26, 2021
The report initially said Grayes is expected to miss the remainder of the season, but Grayes later told Buckeye Scoop’s Mick Walker he expects to only miss 3-6 weeks. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Grayes seems optimistic he’ll play again this season.
I'll be back in Blue this season
— Kyion Grayes II (@KyiongrayesII) August 26, 2021
Grayes caught 28 passes for 556 yards and 10 touchdowns en route to leading Chandler to a state championship in 2019.
