When Trevor Lauck camped with Ohio State in June, his performance was impressive enough that it turned some heads.
Yet there was more the three-star Indiana offensive lineman had to do before Ohio State was willing to make him part of its future plans.
“They said they really liked me at the camp at the beginning of my junior year, but they really were honest with me and told me they wanted to watch how my junior year unfolded,” Lauck told Eleven Warriors. “I guess I played well enough for them to like me a little bit.”
This past fall, Lauck helped lead Roncalli High School (Indianapolis, Indiana) to a 12-1 season. He’s also been to Ohio State four times since June, twice in the summer and twice for game visits. That led to weekly communication with either offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, offensive line assistant Kennedy Cook or offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. When Ryan Day contacted Lauck last week, the Buckeyes’ coach had seen what he needed from the prospective tackle. What came next was a bit of a shock.
“I was talking to coach Day and I thought it would just be small talk again, because we’ve been in contact before,” Lauck said. “I’ve visited a couple times these past couple of months and we’ve started talking more. He said that they were really impressed with my junior film and all along this process they were saying they wanted to see how my junior year unfolded. They said they liked my dedication to getting up to their campus four times, they said that showed something to them. He extended the offer and it was a really exciting moment for sure.”
After a great conversation with Coach Day, I am excited to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University. Thank you @ryandaytime, @CoachStudOL, @OSUCoachKDub, @CoachCookOL, and all the staff! @SWiltfong247 @AllenTrieu @jrody25 pic.twitter.com/Y2oIU7EjwA
— Trevor Lauck (@TrevorLauck) December 2, 2021
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, the 6-foot-6, 275-pound standout is considered to be the 388th-best prospect and the 28th-best offensive tackle in the recruiting class of 2023.
His most recent visit was Nov. 20 for OSU’s contest against Michigan State. He said he enjoyed his time at OSU, mingling with fellow 2023 recruits Ty Lockwood, Joshua Padilla and Luke Montgomery, and meeting Dawand Jones, one of his local folk heroes.
I see 4 buckeyes!! https://t.co/UB9N3Memqs
— Joshua Padilla (@JoshuaPadilla66) December 3, 2021
Congrats Trevor, lets go!!
— David Lockwood (@DLockwood25) December 2, 2021
Go Buckeyes! https://t.co/XeXrOnEiLu pic.twitter.com/NFTITKk8dD
“The line is amazing, it’s fun watching Dawand because he’s from Indianapolis like myself,” Lauck said. “I talked with him after the game, he’s a great guy. He dapped me up and shook my hand and everything. He was really happy and dancing around after the game, he’s a funny guy.”
Reflecting on his offer, there’s no question in Lauck’s mind where OSU sits at the moment.
“Definitely toward the top,” Lauck said. “Me being a kid from the Midwest, I feel like every year they’re towards the top of the Big Ten. They’re a Midwest powerhouse, it’s a really big powerhouse growing up.”
There are deep Indiana roots in the Lauck family. His grandfather is a Notre Dame legacy and his mother went to Indiana, so Lauck grew up going to Hoosiers games. He has an offer from Indiana, but not Notre Dame. Despite the connections to Indiana programs, Lauck said will consider out of state options.
“I’m not that opposed (to leaving) honestly,” Lauck said. “I know my family is going to support me wherever I go. Which I’m very thankful for.”
As for a commitment timeline, Lauck isn’t in any rush to make a decision.
“I kind’ve want to slow play it a little bit,” Lauck said. “I'm still enjoying the process. I’ll probably narrow down my list here in a month or so and go from there with some more visits.”
Although he didn’t have a specific date in mind, Lauck plans on returning to Columbus in the near future.
“I’ll definitely be back for sure,” he said.
Burrell offered by OSU
Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington offered 2023 three-star Texas linebacker S’Maje Burrell a scholarship to play for the Buckeyes while out on the recruiting trail Wednesday.
Truly blessed and honored to receive an offer from Ohio State University #GoBuckeyes @CoachWash56 @CoachAllenNCHS @carlos_leggins @NorthCro_FB @CoachWhitmire pic.twitter.com/iZq2aflNeM
— Smaje Burrell (@Smaje18) December 8, 2021
Burrell, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker, is ranked as the 420th-best player and the 33rd-best linebacker in the 2023 class. He has accumulated nine Division I offers, including Baylor, Colorado, Texas, SMU and Texas Tech.
Jihaad Campbell decommits from Clemson
One of Ohio State’s biggest targets from over the summer is now back on the market. Following the departure of defensive coordinator Brent Venables from Clemson to coach Oklahoma, 2022 four-star defensive end Jihaad Campbell decommitted from Clemson Thursday afternoon.
BREAKING: Jihaad Campbell (No. 29 NATL, 3 Edge) has Decommitted from Clemson, he tells @On3Recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 9, 2021
The 64 225 2022 prospect that attends IMG Academy is the 2nd recruit to decommit from the Tigers since the departure of Brent Venables.
More Here (FREE): https://t.co/YSy9s16ukm pic.twitter.com/BCSzdW00rd
Campbell, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound defensive end/linebacker from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida), took an official visit to Ohio State in June, so OSU was high on his list before he ultimately decided on Clemson later that month. He’d be a good fit in new Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ scheme, which utilized a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position at Oklahoma State.
There will be no shortage of suitors for his services, though. Campbell is rated the 78th-best player and the ninth-best defensive end in the 2022 cycle. He was originally planning to enroll early, so he’ll have to decide whether to sign with a new school during next week’s early signing period or delay his signing until the February national signing day.
