The Hurry-Up: Derrick LeBlanc Includes Ohio State in Top 7, Zachariah Branch to Announce Commitment Friday

By Garrick Hodge on December 23, 2021 at 5:30 pm
Derrick LeBlanc
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One of Ohio State's top 2023 defensive end targets is getting closer to making a decision.

Late Wednesday evening, Derrick LeBlanc put out a top seven containing Ohio State, Clemson, UCF, Florida, Miami, Penn State and Oklahoma. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive lineman also hinted a decision could be coming soon.

LeBlanc was offered by Ohio State in July 2020, then visited Ohio State three times over the summer. Some in the recruiting industry expected LeBlanc to be the first member of Ohio State's 2023 recruiting class, but a commitment never came and he did not return to Columbus for a game visit last fall. 

When he was first offered, LeBlanc said one of his biggest draws to Ohio State was the opportunity to be coached by defensive line coach Larry Johnson and the history of talented defensive linemen OSU has produced. 

“Oh my gosh. Joey, Chase Young, Nick Bosa. All of them," LeBlanc told Eleven Warriors in 2020. "I’m just saying, the people (Johnson) produces are just straight dogs. That’s crazy. (Johnson) doesn’t (mention the big NFL pay days his former players have gotten). He just wants to know me more. He wants to just see the things I like. That’s what makes him different.”

LeBlanc is ranked as the 84th-best player, the 13th-best defensive lineman and the 17th-best player from the state of Florida in the 2023 cycle, per 247Sports' composite rankings. In his junior year at Osceola High School (Kissimmee, Florida), LeBlanc racked up 38 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Kirkland releases top seven

A priority 2023 offensive tackle target is down to seven teams. Florida offensive tackle Payton Kirkland has announced a top seven of Ohio State, Clemson, Oklahoma, Michigan, Penn State, Georgia and Miami. 

Kirkland visited OSU in July and returned in the fall for a gameday visit on Nov. 20 against Michigan State. He was guided for most of the day by five-star signee Sonny Styles. Kirkland, a four-star, is rated the 201st-best player in the 2023 cycle and the 15th-best offensive tackle. 

Branch to commit Christmas Eve

In case you missed it earlier this week, one of Ohio State’s top targets at wide receiver for the 2023 class, five-star Zachariah Branch, will commit at 4 p.m. Friday. 

Branch is down to a top four of Ohio State, USC, Alabama and Oklahoma. Recruiting insiders overwhelmingly expect Branch to follow his brother, Zion, to USC. 

Branch is ranked as the No. 14 overall player and the second-best wideout in the 2023 class. He is one of the two most coveted wide receivers for the Buckeyes in the 2023 class along with fellow five-star Carnell Tate. Another five-star wide receiver, Brandon Inniss, could also potentially be back in play for the Buckeyes after decommitting from Oklahoma earlier this month.

On a somber note

Sadly, we have to close the Hurry-Up today with some unfortunate news. Rising class of 2022 quarterback prospect Robbie Roper died on Wednesday, his family confirmed in a statement. 

Roper attended Roswell High School (Roswell, Georgia) and is the teammate of 2023 Ohio State cornerback target Ethan Nation. He was uncommitted as a prospect but had interest from Florida, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Michigan and others. This is normally the part of the article where I’d include his stats from his senior season, but that seems kinda hollow right now. 

If you’re the praying type, the Roper family could probably use some right about now. If you’re a parent, this probably makes you want to hold your children a little tighter tonight, and if you’re not, the same sentiment can be said for any other relatives you hold dear. 

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