One of the top emerging offensive lineman prospects in the 2024 class made it a point to visit Ohio State last weekend.
Four-star Georgia offensive lineman Waltclaire Flynn Jr. has only recently been on Ohio State’s radar, first hearing from Ohio State on March 28. A few days later, Flynn Jr. was on a plane to Columbus for his first OSU visit.
“I loved the visit, they gave me VIP treatment,” Flynn Jr. told Eleven Warriors.
The 6-foot-1, 290-pound Flynn Jr. watched the Buckeyes practice on Saturday and was impressed with OSU’s work ethic and attention to detail. While touring the facilities, Flynn Jr. spoke with both offensive line coach Justin Frye and offensive line graduate assistant coach Mike Sollenne. Frye has told Flynn Jr. he sees him as a center at the next level, but he could also potentially play guard.
“Coach Frye and coach Sollenne told me how much they loved me,” Flynn Jr. said. “How I’m a really good person, smart, and a great football player. They can’t wait to have me back in the summer for a camp."
HAD A AMAZING TIME IN COLUMBUS TODAY @CoachSollenne @CoachJFrye @CoachM_Patrick @ryandaytime @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/Og1gsrURtU
— Waltclaire Flynn Jr. (@Waltclaire1) April 2, 2022
Flynn Jr., ranked as the 86th-best player nationally and the fourth-best interior offensive lineman in the 2024 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings, currently has 12 scholarship offers. Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee are among the schools who have offered him so far. He does not yet hold an offer from the Buckeyes, but that could change down the road.
“They told me that they want to keep building the relationship (before they offer),” Flynn Jr. said.
Flynn Jr. said he will return to Ohio State in June for a recruiting camp, hoping to continue to build his relationship with Frye and OSU. Like many other prospects, he hopes to make a decision on his commitment before the start of his senior season, which is still more than a year away.
Trader loved OSU visit last week
Ohio State continues to receive glowing reviews from recruits after its massive recruiting weekend last weekend.
2024 Florida wideout Joshisa Trader is the latest prospect to give a large amount of praise for how his visit went in Columbus. Last week was already Trader’s fourth visit to Columbus, mostly because he feels a connection to the school. He told 247Sports this week he grew up an Ohio State fan despite living in Florida.
“Growing up, Ohio State was my favorite college,” Trader told 247Sports. “I always wanted to go there. When I saw Michael Thomas, I was watching Michael Thomas making plays, going up and catching the ball, I thought that could be me one day.”
Had the best time at Ohio state this past weekend! @ryandaytime @brianhartline @CoachKee pic.twitter.com/nCMLetS00e
— JoshisajojoTrader (@joshisathe1) April 4, 2022
While he’s only entering his junior season, Trader said Ohio State will be one of his five official visits later down the road. Although his interest in Ohio State (and other schools) is high at the moment, Trader also said he won’t be ready to make a commitment until his senior season.
Burrell commits to Texas
One of Ohio State’s 2023 linebacker targets, S’Maje Burrell, had a visit to Columbus scheduled for last weekend. He never made it. It soon became pretty apparent why.
The three-star Texas linebacker announced his verbal commitment to Texas over the weekend.
Committed !! Horns uppp !! pic.twitter.com/uSS9MPrqJ6
— SMaje DOne Burrell (@Smaje18) April 2, 2022
The 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker is considered the 392nd-best player and the 37th-ranked linebacker in the 2023 class.
Ohio State still has plenty of quality targets remaining on the board, including four-star linebacker Tackett Curtis, who could very well be Jim Knowles’ preferred top choice. Other options include Jaiden Ausberry, Arvell Reese, Troy Bowles, Malik Bryant, Lewis Carter and Raul Aguirre.
