There may not be a more intriguing high school football game all year from a prospect perspective than Friday's star-studded matchup.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California), the No. 1-rated team in the nation per MaxPreps, will face No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) in a matchup featuring 60 players that have at least one FBS scholarship offer.
Most of the interest from an Ohio State perspective would be on St. John Bosco. The Braves feature OSU targets Earnest Greene, Matayo Uiagalelei, RJ Jones, Jshawn Frausto-Ramos, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Peyton Woodyard and Marcelles Williams.
Two OSU targets to visit Rutgers
Two 2023 recruiting targets Ohio State is interested in will get a first-hand look at the Buckeyes, only not at Ohio Stadium. Offensive lineman Chase Bisontis and linebacker Troy Bowles have both made plans to attend SHI Stadium Saturday for Rutgers' matchup with OSU.
Going to be at Rutgers Saturday
— Chase Bisontis (@CBisontis) October 1, 2021
Eleven Warriors plans to be at Bisontis' home football game tonight at Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, New Jersey). Bisontis, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound four-star offensive tackle, is rated the 42nd-best prospect and third-best tackle according to 247Sports' composite rankings.
Iamaleava may visit Columbus
One of the top quarterbacks in the class of 2023, Nico Iamaleava, hopes to attend Ohio State’s contest against Penn State on Oct. 30, he told On3 this week.
Iamaleava took a visit to Columbus this summer and is looking forward to experiencing a gameday atmosphere in the Horseshoe.
“With Ohio State, I can’t wait to see a game in the Horseshoe,” Iamaleava told On3. “I was there over the summer and I had a great time. I have really connected with (quarterbacks coach Corey) Dennis and (Ryan) Day. They are great coaches, they have a powerful offense, and I love what Ohio State is all about. They prepare their guys for the NFL, and that shows every year.”
Henry enjoys OSU visit
One of Ohio State’s recruiting visitors for the Akron weekend included St. Clairsville standout Avery Henry, a three-star 2022 offensive tackle who actually decommitted from Iowa State when he returned home.
While he does not hold an Ohio State offer, he has been talking with the Buckeyes’ coaching staff constantly, according to Buckeye Scoop.
“I have been in and out of contact with Ohio State for about two years now and it really started Monday, the week of the game,” Henry told Buckeye Scoop. “They called me and said ‘hey we really want you to come down and we haven’t been able to see you, we want to see you and talk to you.’ That’s how it went down.”
The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Henry talked with both Greg Studrawa and Ryan Day on his visit. Since Henry is a local product, it’s very possible that OSU attends one of his high school games in the coming weeks.
Styles announces top five
In case you missed it on Thursday, Ohio State's biggest target for the class of 2023 has narrowed his school list down to five.
Sonny Styles, a safety/linebacker, announced a top five list of Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Ole Miss and Florida.
Big thanks to all the coaches who have recruited me! Blessed to be in the position I am . #GodsPlan @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/Q1m7TFDbtA
— Alex Sonny Styles (@sonnystyles_) September 30, 2021
Styles, a Pickerington resident, recently visited Ohio State on Sept. 11 for the home opener against Oregon. Of course, Styles is a legacy, as his father Lorenzo was a linebacker for the Buckeyes in the mid-1990s.
“It was pretty crazy, I loved it,” Styles said of the atmosphere at Ohio Stadium in early September. “That was the big thing for me and then linking up with some of them guys, being able to talk to them, I think that was the biggest thing for me.
“I’ve always kept in good contact with Ohio State. I think a lot of times, it’s basic conversations. It’s always about football. And of course, they’re always letting me know they want me here.”
The thought long has been Styles' recruitment is a two-way battle between Ohio State and Notre Dame, as Styles' brother Lorenzo Styles Jr. is a wide receiver for the Fighting Irish. But perhaps one of the other three schools make a late push to add the eighth-best player in the country and the top safety per 247Sports' composite rankings.
Styles has also visited Florida and Clemson this season, and will visit Notre Dame this weekend. He may return to Columbus for OSU's contest against Penn State on Oct. 30.
