Ohio State basketball coach Chris Holtmann hopes four-star point guard signee Bruce Thornton will be doing big things for the Buckeyes in next year’s NCAA Tournament.
Meanwhile, Ryan Day and Ohio State are taking an interest in Thornton’s younger brother, Bryce, a 2023 three-star safety from Georgia.
Bryce will visit Ohio State on April 2 alongside his mother, his uncle and Bruce. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound safety has offers from 25 Division I schools, including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan State, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas. However, Ohio State has not yet offered him, which Thornton hopes changes.
“I can’t wait to talk to the coaches in person,” Thornton told Eleven Warriors. “It would mean so much to get an offer from Ohio State and play in front of the fans.”
Thornton is ranked as the 473rd-best player and the 39th-best safety in the 2023 cycle, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. Last season for Milton High School (Alpharetta, Georgia), Thornton racked up six interceptions and 54 tackles.
This won’t be his first trip to Columbus, as he accompanied his brother to Ohio State last summer on his official visit. Should Thornton get an OSU offer, being alongside his brother would be a plus, but it’s unclear to the degree Bruce being on campus would impact his decision.
“To be honest I don’t know how much it would affect it,” Thornton said. “But it would be nice to be close with my brother.”
To this point, Thornton says the schools recruiting him the hardest are Alabama, Florida, LSU, Georgia, Clemson and Miami. But he’ll be ready to soak up his Ohio State visit in two weeks.
“I can’t wait to get on campus,” Thornton said.
Harris to visit OSU in April
Ohio State’s top cornerback target for 2023 will soon be making an official visit to Columbus.
Alabama 2023 five-star AJ Harris plans to use one of his five official visits to Ohio State sometime in April, Harris told 247Sports this week.
“That’s what I’m talking to Coach Day about,” Harris told 247Sports, saying he has not nailed down a specific date.
Harris plans to visit Florida this weekend, then Georgia next weekend before traveling to Alabama the weekend after.
When Kerry Coombs departed Ohio State for Cincinnati, the Buckeyes were in a precarious position with Harris in his recruitment, but cornerbacks coach Tim Walton has seemingly re-sparked the relationship between OSU and Harris.
The official visit will go a long way in determining whether or not Ohio State stays in contention for the talented Alabama product.
Plenty of talent in Columbus this weekend
Some of the top prospects from around Ohio will be in attendance for Sunday’s Under Armour Next camp at Fortress Obetz just south of Columbus. Players expected to attend, include 2023 four-star offensive lineman commitment Joshua Padilla and four other in-state players with Ohio State offers: 2023 four-star safety Malik Hartford, 2023 four-star offensive lineman Austin Siereveld, 2024 cornerback Bryce West and 2025 quarterback Ryan Montgomery.
Firebirds boutta show out!! @DemetricDWarren pic.twitter.com/oBCAJGj1hd
— Malik Hartford (@MalikHartford) March 9, 2022
Blessed to be Invited to the UA All-American Camp!! @DemetricDWarren @UANextFootball @CraigHaubert @TheUCReport @TomLuginbill pic.twitter.com/HwyeQMWbEF
— (@bryvonny) February 26, 2022
Appreciate the invite to the Under Armour Camp! @DemetricDWarren @CraigHaubert @TheUCReport @TomLuginbill pic.twitter.com/MeLOSlhid5
— Ryan Montgomery (@RyanMonty2025) February 26, 2022
Other prospects of note working out Sunday include 2023 running back Willtrell Hartson, 2023 wideout Anthony Brown, 2023 linebacker Nigel Glover, 2024 tight end Tayvion Galloway, 2024 offensive lineman Ben Roebuck, 2024 cornerback Aaron Scott, and 2024 defensive back Taebron Bennie-Powell. Two in-state 2025 prospects to keep tabs on are Westerville North offensive lineman Jake Cook and Massillon Washington quarterback Jalen Slaughter.
Notable out-of-state prospects who are expected to participate include 2023 North Carolina quarterback commit Tad Hudson, 2023 four-star Michigan defensive end Jalen Thompson, 2023 Cincinnati linebacker commit Trevor Carter and 2023 Michigan State offensive lineman commit Johnathan Slack.
Kirkland leaves OSU off top five
In somewhat of a surprising turn of events, four-star offensive tackle Payton Kirkland released a top five on Friday and left Ohio State off the list.
Top 5. Final decision July 23rd. pic.twitter.com/lzD9g6pLba
— Payton PKAY Kirkland (@paytonkirk55) March 18, 2022
I appreciate all of buckeye nation for showing me love constantly. But God has led me in a different direction #GoBuckeyes
— Payton PKAY Kirkland (@paytonkirk55) March 18, 2022
Kirkland, ranked as the 203rd-best player and the 18th-best offensive tackle in the 2023 class, narrowed his choices down to Alabama, Michigan State, Miami, Florida and Oklahoma. Florida is the likely winner for Kirkland's services when he announces a commitment on July 23.
With Kirkland seemingly off the board, OSU remains in pursuit of several high-caliber offensive tackle targets including Chase Bisontis, Samson Okunlola, Francis Mauigoa, Monroe Freeling and Olaus Alinen.
