SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Greetings from San Antonio at the All-American Bowl.
On the first day of team practices, we begin with a bit of potential imminent news where Ohio State is concerned. After fighting a battle with Wisconsin for the services of four-star offensive lineman Carson Hinzman, the Buckeyes will soon learn whether or not they landed the coveted interior offensive lineman, as the Wisconsin resident plans to announce his commitment tonight.
"I'm kind of waiting on a graphic right now. I'm probably going to announce tonight," Hinzman said after the All-American West team practiced.
A few minutes later, Hinzman posted that he will commit at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.
Will be announcing commitment today at 5pm!
— Carson Hinzman (@HinzmanCarson) January 4, 2022
A flurry of Ohio State Crystal Ball projections came in this morning for Hinzman, and there's an increasing possibility Ohio State will get good news from one of its top remaining targets.
Hinzman originally planned to sign during the early signing period in December, but held off because he needed more time to make his decision. Now, he feels confident in his choice.
"I think it's just me taking the time to really think it over and pinpoint out every single up and down of each school," Hinzman said. "They're both great places, you just have to be super, super nitpicky. "
While Hinzman cannot sign until Feb. 2, he says he will be done with his recruitment after he commits and likely will not take any more visits.
"This will be it. As soon as I commit, I'll be 1000 percent in. I just want to be devoted to the school and the fans. I don't really want to get back into all that recruiting stuff."
Hinzman is ranked as the 134th-best player and the sixth-best interior offensive lineman in the 2022 cycle, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.
Harris pushes back commitment
In non All-American Bowl news, Ohio State's top target at cornerback in the 2023 class has opted to delay his commitment.
Five-star cornerback AJ Harris had planned to commit on Jan. 11, his birthday, but that will have to be pushed back, according to his father, Daniel Harris.
Uncertainty surrounding the coaching staffs of Harris' top schools list is the main reason for the holdup. Kerry Coombs is Harris’ main recruiter at Ohio State, and the Harris family is waiting to see whether or not Coombs will be retained by the Buckeyes as a defensive backs coach following the hire of Jim Knowles.
“We're not totally sure coach Coombs will stay,” the elder Harris told Eleven Warriors Tuesday. “Everyone says he is, but I want to see.”
Elsewhere, the Harris family is also weighing the turnover on Clemson’s coaching staff after the departure of defensive coordinator Brent Venables, though Harris' primary recruiter at Clemson has been cornerbacks coach Mike Reed, who still remains on staff. Reports have also surfaced that Oklahoma is targeting Alabama cornerbacks coach Jay Valai, who has recruited Harris to play for the Crimson Tide, for an opening on the Sooners staff.
There is no new timetable for a new decision as of now, and the family has entered wait-and-see mode until everything plays out.
Harris is ranked as the 18th-best player and the third-best cornerback in the 2023 cycle.
Greene includes OSU in final four
Along with 2022 Ohio State defensive tackle target Hero Kanu, OSU four-star offensive lineman target Earnest Greene plans to make a commitment on Saturday during the All-American Bowl. Greene told Eleven Warriors on Tuesday that he will choose from four schools: Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Texas.
“Ohio State, they've been recruiting me the longest,” Greene told Eleven Warriors. “Coach Stud, that's my dude. I built a pretty great relationship with Ohio State. I loved how Nicholas Petit-Frere and Thayer Munford played this year, and (Dawand Jones) is doing a good job too. There's a lot going on in the offensive line room that I like.”
Unlike Kanu, however, the Buckeyes are viewed as an underdog for the services of Greene, who will likely decide between Georgia and Alabama, the two schools competing for a national title. Greene is ranked as the 40th overall prospect and the second-best interior offensive lineman in the 2022 cycle.
