For the most part, his recruitment was drama-free.
That’s mostly because Bennett Christian, Ohio State’s lone 2022 tight end signee, committed early in the recruiting process, picking OSU over Tennessee on Sep. 1, 2020. It was a big recruiting win for the Buckeyes considering Christian’s Southern roots, as the three-star prospect resides in Georgia.
Both because of his recruiting ranking and straightforward recruitment, Christian may be less heralded in the eyes of OSU fans in comparison to some of the other 17 signees in the 2022 class thus far. His stats over the last two seasons didn’t jump off the page either, as Christian only played in four games for Allatoona High School (Acworth, Georgia) in 2022, catching five passes for 76 yards. He caught 20 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.
Nevertheless, Ryan Day is very confident in Christian’s skill set.
“He’s well-rounded in a lot of areas,” Day said on Dec. 15. “As a person and as a football player, he’s strong. He can do a really good job at the line of scrimmage blocking the seven technique but he also can run routes and get down the field. He’s got good versatility that way.”
Physically, Day said Christian is a step ahead of where tight ends normally are entering their freshman season, as he currently boasts a 6-foot-6, 235-pound frame.
"I think some tight ends are developmental physically, and I’m not sure (if he is),” Day said. “I mean he’s got to change his body a little bit, but for the most part, this is a big, good-looking tight end. A lot of guys come in undersized like 215 or 220 and you have to really grow them into the position. He’s already kind of there. He’s going to have to put on some more weight as he goes, but now it’s just going to be about learning our offense and learning the techniques with coach (Kevin) Wilson.”
Adjusting to a college system may not be too difficult for Christian given his mental fortitude, according to Day.
“I think he’s going to assimilate quick,” Day said. “He’s very intelligent and has been a very solid part of our class for a while.”
Webb has been in touch with OSU
One of Ohio State’s coveted running back targets in the class of 2023, Treyaun Webb, went back on the market earlier this month when the four-star running back decommitted from Oklahoma shortly after Lincoln Riley’s departure. Since then, numerous schools have reached out. One of them, Webb told On3 this week, has been the Buckeyes.
“Right away, schools like Penn State, Ohio State, Georgia, Auburn, Ole Miss, Miami, and some others called and hit me up,” Webb told On3. “It got crazy pretty quick when everyone knew that I wasn’t committed to Oklahoma anymore. I am going to communicate with all the schools that want to talk with me right now. I am in no rush. It is like the beginning for me again.”
Webb told On3 his recruiting process is likely going to go the distance this time around, with a commitment on either National Signing Day or at an All-American game in January 2023.
Webb is considered the 107th-best player and the sixth-best running back in the 2023 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings. Ohio State would like to take two running backs in the 2023 class, with five-star Richard Young being its top priority. Other options include Justice Haynes, Webb, Daylan Smothers, Rueben Owens, Cedric Baxter Jr. and Tre Wisner.
Brown works out with Grayes
Ohio State 2022 signees Devin Brown and Kyion Grayes aren’t even on campus yet but are already working out together. Since both are from Arizona, the four-star quarterback and four-star wide receiver met up Tuesday to throw some routes together.
— Kyion Grayes II (@KyiongrayesII) December 22, 2021
First few tosses with my new teammate @KyiongrayesII. Cant wait to do it in the Horseshoe! O-H pic.twitter.com/MCGyUMwlhR
— Devin Brown (@dbrownqb33) December 22, 2021
