It’s going to be an uphill battle for Ohio State to land a premier quarterback in the class of 2023.
Once C.J. Stroud likely declares for the NFL draft next offseason assuming his 2022 campaign is similar to 2021, the 2023 starter at quarterback is likely going to either be Devin Brown or Kyle McCord, either of whom could be a two-year starter at OSU. Landing a prized quarterback in 2024 seems more likely than in 2023. But Ryan Day’s goal is to land a highly billed quarterback in every single recruiting class, and most discounted the chances of landing Brown when his name was first floated as a OSU possibility.
One of the quarterbacks that remains at the top of their want list is five-star Michigan quarterback Dante Moore, who is originally from Cleveland. And while it would be hard to consider Ohio State a frontrunner right now for Moore’s services over the likes of Notre Dame and both Michigan schools, the Buckeyes aren’t giving up. Both Day and quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis remain in constant communication with Moore, who visited Columbus over the summer then returned for a game visit on for OSU’s Oct. 30 matchup with Penn State.
“Of course, being back down in the home state, it feels good to be back home for sure,” Moore told Eleven Warriors Saturday of his visit on Oct. 30. “Being at Ohio State on campus, it’s a great gameday environment. They have a great team and great fan base for sure. OSU vs. Penn State was a great game. The main thing I took away from it was building a strong relationship with coach Day and coach Dennis. I really appreciated that visit.”
Moore spent time with Stroud on his visit and picked his brain about what it would be like to play at Ohio State.
“I got to talk to him in the locker room,” Moore said. “But after the game I was on the field with him. Fans are going after him and a whole bunch of media is going after him. In the locker room, I asked him ‘What made you pick Ohio State?’ He said he loved it ever since he touched down on campus and felt really comfortable with the coaching staff. He loves the program, and you can tell by his performance, he’s throwing for 500 yards (in the Rose Bowl). He’s really a blessing for that football team.”
Moore said he wouldn’t be scared off by a quarterback competition, and realizes he’d likely be in for one if he picks Ohio State.
“If I do make a decision to go there, it would be great to compete, I love competing,” Moore said. “They always have a great quarterback room, one of the top quarterback rooms in the country, most definitely.”
Moore, ranked as the eighth-best player and the third-best quarterback in the 2023 class per 247Sports' composite rankings, said he does not have a list of top schools at the moment. He is hoping to take visits in the spring and summer. No visit is scheduled for Columbus at this point, but that could change.
“I don’t have anything planned,” Moore said. “But I’d love to be back to my home state, if I can have the chance to make it back down there, I’d love to.”
Considering he’s lived in both Michigan and Ohio, Moore also gave his thoughts regarding The Game.
“They’ve been going at it,” Moore said. “Ohio State had them for a long time, but Michigan got them this year. To me, it’s the greatest rivalry in college football. Two great teams going at it every time in November.”
11 early enrollees arrive on campus
More than half of Ohio State’s current crop of 19 signees for the class of 2022 are early enrollees. Eleven in total, to be exact. Kyion Grayes, Ryan Turner, Kye Stokes, Devin Brown, George Fitzpatrick, Jyaire Brown, Caden Curry, C.J. Hicks, Caleb Burton, Bennett Christian and Gabe Powers have now gone from recruits to officially becoming Ohio State Buckeyes.
The early enrollees arrived in Columbus over the weekend, with a good portion heading directly from the All-American Bowl in San Antonio to Columbus to officially begin classes on Monday.
first day for the newest Buckeyes #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/AwvGUrkhxO
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 10, 2022
CBUS
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 9, 2022
Welcome home! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/I9FAmY0y72
Back home
— Kyion Grayes II (@KyiongrayesII) January 10, 2022
Official.
— Ryan Turner (@RyanTurner_20) January 8, 2022
Just touched down in Columbus excited to officially call it home #GoBucks
— Kye Stokes (@kye_stokes) January 7, 2022
A side note: Curry and Grayes had a friendly argument during Friday’s All-American Bowl practice between which of them would be the first OSU player to lose their black stripe this spring.
Denson remains interested in OSU
In Monday’s Hurry-Up, we pointed out the connection that exists between Ohio State 2023 safety commit Cedrick Hawkins and 2023 five-star wideout target Brandon Inniss.
Hawkins is also close with 2023 OSU four-star Florida cornerback target Sharif Denson, as Denson had a bit of social media flirtation with the Buckeyes on Monday.
@cedrick_hawkins pic.twitter.com/6XRSGMhWQX
— Sharif Denson (@SharifDenson) January 10, 2022
“That would be amazing to play with someone like (Cedrick) who knows the game like he does,” Denson told Eleven Warriors in a text message Monday.
Denson camped at Ohio State on June 16 and received his offer the same day. He’s been in contact with OSU since Sept. 1, when coaches could officially begin contacting 2023 recruits; Ryan Day personally reached out to Denson that day. While he does not have a visit to OSU scheduled, Denson maintains he’s interested in the Buckeyes.
Ohio State is likely going to take two cornerbacks in the 2023 cycle, in which AJ Harris is the Buckeyes’ top target. Denson is ranked as the 18th-best cornerback and the 159th-best player in the 2023 class.
