Hope everyone had a good holiday.
While most of you were probably off doing Christmas-related activities, there were a few things that happened in the world of Ohio State football recruiting over the weekend, so let’s delve right into those.
Walker cuts list to five
One of Ohio State’s most coveted 2023 defensive lineman targets has narrowed his list down to five suitors. Four-star defensive lineman John Walker has trimmed his school list down to Ohio State, UCF, Penn State, Alabama and Florida State.
and than there were 5@coach_martin95
— John walker (@Johnwal60517678) December 25, 2021
@HolmanWiggins @coachJScott_DL@odellhaggins@R2X_Rushmen1 @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/I9ygFJf1gb
Walker, a Florida resident, is ranked as the 99th-best prospect and the 17th-best defensive lineman in the 2023 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings. In his junior season at Osceola (Kissimmee, Florida), Walker racked up 77 total tackles (17 for loss) and 13 sacks. He’s a high school teammate of fellow Ohio State 2023 defensive line target Derrick LeBlanc.
A decision on where he’ll be attending school probably isn’t too close. Walker visited OSU last June and plans to again, albeit not for a while, he told 247Sports.
“I’ll get back to Ohio State for an official visit, probably in the summer,” Walker told 247Sports. “Ohio State will be an official visit. I don’t know any others yet, but I know Ohio State will be one.”
Iamaleava puts OSU in top 12
Five-star quarterback Nicholaus Iamaleava has also narrowed down his school list. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound signal caller from California put out a top 12 list Saturday consisting of Ohio State, Oregon State, UCLA, Georgia, Ole Miss, Miami, Auburn, Tennessee, Oregon, Alabama, Notre Dame and BYU.
M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S#TEAMMOM#TOABOYZ pic.twitter.com/X66TtGHoc1
— Nicholaus Iamaleava Jr. (@nico_iamaleava8) December 25, 2021
Iamaleava is ranked as the 17th-best prospect and the fourth-best quarterback in the 2023 class. In nine games in his junior season, Iamaleava passed for 2,244 yards and 33 touchdowns with just one interception. He completed 59 percent of his passes and also scored three rushing touchdowns. Iamaleava took an unofficial visit to OSU in June.
Ohio State always wants to add a quarterback every year, and certainly would like one of Iamaleava’s caliber. But the quarterback picture of Ohio State’s future is clouded after 2022, with Kyle McCord and Devin Brown presumably battling for the starting job in 2023. Any quarterback in the 2023 class will have to have a willingness to compete if he chooses Ohio State.
Brown has OSU in top 7
Four-star 2023 linebacker Jayvant Brown, who took a gameday visit to Ohio State on Oct. 9 for the Buckeyes’ game against Maryland and received an offer a day later, released his final seven schools on Christmas.
Who will it be ? @larryblustein @TheCribSouthFLA @ESPNCFB @ChadSimmons_ @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/A5I90kPqEj
— Jayvant (@JayvantBrown) December 26, 2021
Brown’s trimmed down school list consists of Ohio State, Florida State, Penn State, Florida, Michigan, LSU and Alabama. The Florida resident is ranked as the 176th-best player and the 13th-best linebacker in the 2023 cycle.
Miller to commit on Feb. 2
After it was originally thought Ohio State 2022 four-star defensive tackle Christen Miller would announce his commitment at the All-American Bowl in January, the Georgia resident changed things up over the weekend, announcing he will commit on National Signing Day on Feb. 2.
I wanna take All My Visits Before I Commit so with that being said I Will Announce Wear Im Going To School February 2 National Signing Day#AGTG pic.twitter.com/6NeJgVg65R
— Christen Miller (@fatchr7s) December 24, 2021
Miller is believed to be down to Ohio State and Georgia, though Clemson has recently tried to enter the sweepstakes by presenting a late offer this week. Miller is the 107th-best player in the 2022 class and the 19th-best defensive lineman.
Bowen to commit Jan. 1
Ohio State fans have New Year’s Day circled on their calendars because it marks the day the Buckeyes will take on Utah in the Rose Bowl. OSU fans will also have something else to pay attention to as they bring in the new year, as four-star 2023 OSU safety target Peyton Bowen has announced a commitment date for Jan. 1.
The commitment January 1st on CBS!!
— Peyton Bowen (@PeytonBowen10) December 25, 2021
Bowen is ranked as the 58th-best prospect and the fourth-best safety in the 2023 cycle. Ohio State’s relationship with Bowen is relatively new, as OSU offered him on Dec. 3. That probably isn’t a good sign for Ohio State that Bowen is already ready to make a commitment without visiting OSU. Notre Dame is perceived to be the favorite here.
