One of Ohio State’s top safety targets for the class of 2023 plans on taking two spring visits to Columbus.
Four-star Florida safety Daemon Fagan told Eleven Warriors he plans on visiting OSU April 1-3, then again for the spring game on April 15-17. Both visits will be unofficial, but he does plan to visit Ohio State again in an official capacity for the 2022 season opener on Sept. 3 against Notre Dame. Fagan’s first April visit to Columbus will be alongside several members of his seven-on-seven team, South Florida Express: Sharif Denson, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, Cormani McClain, Mark Fletcher and Cedrick Hawkins.
“Every time we see each other, I feel like one of the things we talk about is always Ohio State,” Fagan said. “My plan (is also) to go to the spring game to get a feel for the campus and atmosphere and all that.”
A big part of the 6-foot-2, 180-pound safety’s interest in Ohio State stems from his relationship with new safeties coach Perry Eliano, who recruited Fagan while he was at Cincinnati.
“We’re really tight, especially considering he came from Cincinnati and that was my top school all because of him,” Fagan said. “That coaching change was actually really in my favor and I’m kind of really happy it happened. (Eliano) keeps it real with me. He’s continuing the conversation, not promising me anything or selling me any dream.”
Ohio State will utilize a three-safety scheme under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and Eliano has told Fagan he envisions him as a single high free safety at OSU. In addition to Eliano, Fagan has spoken with Ryan Day and Brian Hartline occasionally.
In seven games for American Heritage High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) last season, Fagan racked up 28 tackles and recorded two interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound safety is ranked as the 257th-best player and the 25th-ranked safety in the 2023 class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Fagan put out a top eight recently that consists of Ohio State, Miami, Penn State, Georgia, LSU, North Carolina State, Florida State and UCF. He said he plans to visit all eight before making a decision.
I became an important lil boy ! #blessed pic.twitter.com/4VKlsdXgbU
— DaemonFagan (@FaganDaemon) February 22, 2022
“I was thinking December or early signing day, but if that doesn’t go right or I need more time I’ll go to February,” Fagan said of a potential commitment timeline. “But if I visit a school in April or the summer, and I feel like the time is right, I’ll pull the trigger and commit.”
Ohio State will likely take three safeties in the 2023 cycle, and has already landed one commitment from Cedrick Hawkins. Other targets include Caleb Downs, Joenel Aguero and Malik Hartford.
Bolden to visit OSU spring game
One of the highest-rated prospects in the 2024 class has locked in an Ohio State visit. Georgia four-star safety Khalil "KJ" Bolden told Eleven Warriors he plans to attend the Buckeyes’ spring football game on April 16.
Bolden was offered by OSU on Oct. 18. He is considered the third-best prospect in the entire 2024 cycle according to 247Sports’ rankings. In five games for Buford High School (Buford, Georgia) last season, Bolden racked up 19 tackles, two interceptions and three pass deflections. To this point, he’s amassed 25 Division I offers, a sheet that includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas, Penn State and West Virginia.
Raiola narrowing focus
One of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 recruiting cycle is already narrowing down his recruitment. Four-star Arizona quarterback Dylan Raiola told On3 he’s focusing primarily on nine schools, including Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, USC, Oregon, Notre Dame, Texas and Nebraksa.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Raiola took a trip to Columbus on Oct. 30 for a gameday visit against Penn State.
“I went up there for a game day visit, and for them to make time for me, especially on a big game like Penn State, they made a really great impression on me,” Raiola told On3. “Coach (Ryan) Day was the one that offered me, and the head coach offering me is a big deal. They’re special, a powerhouse in the Big Ten and what they produce speaks for itself.”
