When 2024 cornerback Ellis Robinson IV received an Ohio State offer from secondary coach Matt Barnes last week, he couldn’t help but smile.
“It was an offer I have been waiting for,” Robinson IV told Eleven Warriors.
Robinson IV, a cornerback from Connecticut, is rated as the No. 4 overall player and the second-best cornerback in the 2024 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He already has 17 Division I offers including Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Penn State and Tennessee.
The Buckeyes have shown interest in Robinson IV since he began his sophomore season at Iona Preparatory School (New Rochelle, New York) earlier this fall.
“They have been evaluating me every week,” Robinson IV said. “That’s something unique about OSU. They actually watched all my games, that says a lot about what they think of me as a player.”
Robinson IV says the respect is mutual on his end.
“OSU is high on my offer list because they are relevant every year and have high academics,” he said. “Ohio State is known for putting out NFL DBs, and I think I can add to that list.”
Robinson IV told Eleven Warriors the Buckeyes are recruiting him as a cornerback, but the 6-foot, 175-pound playmaker likes to refer to himself as a defensive back because he believes he can play anywhere in the secondary. He has helped guide Iona Prep to a 7-1 record and has recorded seven interceptions this season.
Robinson IV did not root for any particular college team growing up. Rather, he said he just watched elite defensive backs and tried to learn something from each of them. Robinson IV says Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey is his favorite player, and he tries to pattern his game after Ramsey.
The sophomore standout defensive back said he’s played a game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton once, but hasn’t been to Ohio otherwise. That will change soon, he says.
“I plan to visit OSU after my season is over,” Robinson IV said. “My family and I look forward to meeting all the coaches, touring the facilities and building a relationship with OSU.”
Robinson IV has visited Rutgers, Penn State and Miami this fall. His next planned visit is Ohio State after he completes his prep season.
Young confirms visit
It’s long been reported that the top-ranked running back in the class of 2023, Richard Young, planned to visit Ohio State this Saturday.
On Wednesday, he announced it himself.
Heading Bck this weekend!!! pic.twitter.com/DhSIP1Cqzz
— Richard Young (@richardyoung239) October 27, 2021
Along with Hero Kanu, Omari Abor and a few others, Young will be one of the most important recruits that sets foot in Ohio Stadium on Saturday. He’s shown plenty of Ohio State interest thus far, visiting twice over the summer. Running backs coach Tony Alford recently went to see Young in person at Lehigh Senior High School (Lehigh Acres, Florida).
Young is rated as the No. 21 overall prospect in the 2023 cycle. In seven games, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Young has rushed for a whopping 1,475 yards on 134 carries, averaging 210.7 rushing yards per contest. He has also scored 17 touchdowns on the ground and averages 11 yards per attempt.
White moves on from OSU
There’s been lots of talk about who Ohio State will add to its defensive line in the 2022 recruiting class. For a long time, defensive end Enai White was a priority target and a popular name among recruiting circles. Being ranked the 38th-best player and the fourth-best edge rusher in the class will do that.
But that ship has apparently sailed. White told On3 this week he is no longer considering OSU and will instead play in the SEC after he chooses from a final three of Alabama, Texas A&M and Georgia.
“I am down to Alabama, Texas A&M, and Georgia and a decision will happen when I am ready,” White told On3. “I am thinking the early signing day (December 15) right now, but it could happen sooner if I feel ready. I can say I am getting closer.”
With Kenyatta Jackson Jr. already on board for Ohio State, other options to round out Ohio State’s defensive line class of 2022 include Kanu, Abor, Shemar Stewart, Caden Curry, Marvin Jones Jr., Christen Miller and Chris McClellan.
