One of Ohio State’s top targets in the recruiting class of 2023 released his top six on Thursday, and the Buckeyes made the cut.
Luke Montgomery, who is now the top uncommitted prospect in the state of Ohio for the 2023 class following Sonny Styles’ commitment to Ohio State on Saturday, also included Clemson, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Penn State in his top six.
Top 6! Thank you to all the schools that have recruited me! These are the schools I will be focusing on! pic.twitter.com/PsWEpotEzv
— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) November 18, 2021
Montgomery is ranked as the No. 59 overall prospect, the No. 6 offensive tackle and the No. 3 prospect in the state of Ohio for the 2023 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings. The Findlay resident visited Ohio State three times this fall for the Buckeyes’ home games against Oregon, Penn State and Purdue and will also be in attendance next week when Ohio State plays Michigan in Ann Arbor.
York makes impression on OSU
Taurean York wasn’t going to let a good photo opportunity go to waste.
Before leaving Columbus to go back home to Texas last weekend, York posed for a photo outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in the midst of snow flurries. Considering he lives in Texas, though, York didn’t have much winter attire.
Can you tell im from Texas!? #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/EKV3U4xSgo
— Taurean A. York (@TaureanYork5x) November 14, 2021
York, a 2023 linebacker from Temple, Texas, made the trip to attend Ohio State’s game against Purdue with his high school teammate and close friend Mikal Harrison-Pilot, a four-star safety in the 2023 class.
“The visit went great. It was definitely one of my favorite visits so far,” York told Eleven Warriors. “I had a lot of fun on the visit, we got to enjoy the Buckeye gameday experience, a photoshoot, and got a tour of the campus and facilities.”
Although York has only been offered by two Division I schools, mostly due to his height at 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, and does not hold a composite ranking, his stats this season have being eye-popping. As of last week, he had recorded 117 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 4.5 sacks, four quarterback pressures, two pass breakups and one defensive touchdown.
Last weekend was York’s second visit to Ohio State after he camped with the team earlier this summer and impressed OSU linebackers coach Al Washington enough that Washington might make a trip to Texas to visit him after the season.
“(On his visit) I talked to coach Washington of course, coach (Brian) Hartline and Tim Hinton," York said. "Coach Wash told me that the coaches haven’t forgotten who I was and that I left a lasting impression on the coach staff in June. He also talked about coming to Temple in the winter time.”
Expected visitor list for MSU game
There won’t likely be nearly as many recruits in attendance at Ohio Stadium for this weekend’s upcoming game against Michigan State as there were on Oct. 30 against Penn State, when 50-plus recruits were on campus. Nonetheless, there will be some big names in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 classes in attendance for Ohio State’s final home game of the season.
One notable official visitor whose plans were confirmed Thursday is four-star quarterback Devin Brown, the fifth-ranked quarterback in the 2022 class, who's committed to USC but has been exploring his options since Clay Helton was fired and will visit Ohio State this weekend, per On3.
The full list of top prospects who are currently expected to visit this weekend, as confirmed through a combination of our own intel, reporting from other outlets and announcements from recruits themselves, is below.
As always, a disclaimer when we put out these types of lists: Some of these names will inevitably not show up, and some names not listed will probably attend. They are teenagers after all.
Class of 2022: Devin Brown (QB), C.J. Hicks (LB), Kenyatta Jackson (DL), Jayden Fielding (K)
Class of 2023: Carnell Tate (WR), Payton Kirkland (OL), AJ Hoffler (DL), Charles Jagusah (OL), Sonny Styles (S/LB), Tanner Lemaster (TE), Ty Lockwood (TE)
Class of 2024: Nigel Smith (DL), Sammy Brown (LB), Carter Noyes (QB)
Greene celebrated birthday on visit
Priority Ohio State 2022 offensive line target Earnest Greene visited Ohio State on Oct. 30 for the Penn State game, one day prior to his birthday.
The Ohio State coaching staff celebrated with him a day early though, according to On3.
“I guess not a lot of people can say this,” Greene told On3’s Joseph Hastings. “But (the Ohio State staff) sang ‘Happy Birthday‘ to me and I got to blow candles out in Coach Day’s office. Not a lot of people can say they celebrated their birthday in Coach Day’s office.”
The linked article above provides more details on Greene’s visit, but in short, Greene is still undecided on where he will play at the next level and will visit Alabama this weekend. Some recruiting insiders believe his recruitment will come down to Georgia and Ohio State. With three offensive linemen already committed to OSU, Greene and Wisconsin lineman Carson Hinzman are the highest-priority remaining targets for the Buckeyes to complete their 2022 offensive line class.
