Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson has certainly pulled off some massive recruiting wins over the past two seasons regarding quality defensive linemen.
It’s not as common that the longtime college football veteran helps recruit defensive backs. But that’s what happened a few weeks ago on the recruiting trail, as Johnson extended an offer to 2024 Maryland cornerback Braydon Lee on Jan. 26.
There was a reason Johnson was the one doing the offering, though. OSU’s longtime defensive assistant, who often recruits in Maryland because of his background as a high school coach there, had also extended an offer recently to four-star 2023 defensive end Desmond Umeozulu. And Johnson liked what he saw from Lee in workouts as well while he was visiting Charles Herbert Flowers High School (Upper Marlboro, Maryland) in late January.
“So coach Johnson and I had been building a good relationship over the past two weeks after he offered my teammate, Desmond Umeozulu,” Lee told Eleven Warriors. “He heard about me, saw me, and liked me. He saw me workout and loved the way I moved, said I had great size and speed and good motion. We’ve been building that relationship. He gave me the news that he’d like to offer me. Des was jumping on me. He was loud, happy and proud. My coaching staff was all delighted and were enjoying the moment.”
Extremely excited to announce that I have just received my 9th offer from THEE Ohio State University!#GoBucks@ryandaytime @R2X_Rushmen1 @CHFJAGS @RivalsFriedman @BrianDohn247 @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/6MwKK5Fpf0
— Braydon Lee (@_brayofficial) January 26, 2022
Lee currently has 12 Division I scholarship offers, including Boston College, Duke, Liberty, Maryland, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
“I can honestly say this was my first big (offer),” Lee said. “My fourth offer was South Carolina and that was pretty amazing, but Ohio State, man, that just makes me think it’s going to skyrocket from here. Everyone across the world knows about Ohio State. That name alone carries a lot of weight. For them to believe in my abilities and think I can help them win football games, that’s just amazing to me and I can’t wrap my mind around it.”
Over the last few weeks, Lee has been talking to Umeozulu about various schools in his recruitment, including Ohio State. The pair plan to visit Columbus together on March 5.
“Des is like my best friend,” Lee said. “We do everything together and we talk about schools, we honestly are living our dreams together as brothers. He tells me inside scoops about what he’s feeling, and I tell him some of mine. We both really like Ohio State.”
Lee said he could see himself playing for Ohio State in the future.
“Ohio State has always been one of my top schools growing up,” he said. “Wearing those colors in front of that type of fan base, that’s just ridiculous. That Michigan vs. Ohio State game, that’s something a kid always dreams of. That’s something I’ve always wanted to be a part of, no matter what the weather is, you’re always going to put your best foot forward. OSU has a ton of tradition and a winning culture, and they’re always going to have some of the best coaching staff.”
In Lee’s sophomore season, he racked up 30 tackles (five for loss), nine pass breakups and six interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
“One thing about me, I want to create my own type of play style and jazz to the game of football and that defensive back position,” Lee said. “When a coach tries to recruit me, I don’t think he’s recruiting me as just a cornerback but as a defensive back, where I could play safety, nickel, free safety, regular outside corner, inside corner, I could really do whatever.”
Davis picks up OSU offer
Four-star 2023 Georgia tight end Ethan Davis has already made a commitment to play for Tennessee. But that didn’t stop the Buckeyes from making an offer to the 6-foot-4, 215-pound pass catcher on Tuesday afternoon.
Blessed to receive an Offer from The Ohio State University. Go Buckeyes @coachTWoff @_Coach_Williams @GregoryLenny pic.twitter.com/PJ4qXjwFV4
— ethan davis (@davis1ethan) February 1, 2022
Davis is rated the 112th-best player and the seventh-best tight end in the 2023 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He has 29 Division I offers, including LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Oregon, Penn State, Ole Miss, Georgia, Florida and Auburn. In 13 games for Collins Hill High School (Suwanee, Georgia) last season, Davis caught 61 passes for 755 yards and eight touchdowns.
It might be an uphill battle trying to flip him from the Volunteers, but Ohio State thought his talent was worth the offer nevertheless. Ohio State already has one 2023 tight end committed in Ty Lockwood, but it would like to sign two tight ends this cycle.
Miller picks Georgia
In case you missed it from earlier, it was a relatively quiet signing day from the Buckeyes’ perspective. Omari Abor and Carson Hinzman signed their National Letters of Intent, but 2022 defensive tackle target Christen Miller chose to sign with Georgia over Ohio State.
Go Dawgsssssssss pic.twitter.com/HZXJdao7hA
— Christen Miller (@fatchr7s) February 2, 2022
With Miller out of the picture, Ohio State will sign four defensive linemen in the class for 2022: Abor, Caden Curry, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Hero Kanu. The Buckeyes are not expected to pursue any additional recruits in the 2022 class, which features 21 total signees.
