Darron Reed’s visit to Ohio State last weekend left quite the impression on the four-star 2023 Georgia defensive lineman.
“It was great,” Reed told Eleven Warriors of his visit. “I loved all the love the coaches showed. Really, I saw everything. The campus, the facilities, they really have a lot of stuff, a little bit of everything.”
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Reed arrived on campus last Friday and watched Ohio State’s student appreciation practice on Saturday. He met with both Larry Johnson and Ryan Day on his trip.
#GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/nbLdYhPrrW
— Darron Reed (@DarronReed45) April 1, 2022
“They told me I was a great player and that I’d be a key playmaker to their defense,” Reed said.
After the visit, it’s clear where Ohio State stands in regard to Reed’s recruitment.
“They’re most definitely at the top of my list,” Reed said. “Because of the love they show and they have the No. 3 engineering program in the country.”
Had a great weekend at Ohio State University
— Darron Reed (@DarronReed45) April 3, 2022
#GoBuckeyes @CoachM_Patrick pic.twitter.com/elbNqCzysU
Reed, who plans to study mechanical engineering in college, was offered by Day himself in January, which resonated with Reed.
“It was awesome, because it’s obviously a great school for defensive linemen,” Reed said of receiving the offer. “It’s a great opportunity. It meant a lot (that the offer came from Day).”
Reed said he and Johnson talk around twice a week. The longtime defensive line coach has told Reed he can see him playing either inside or outside at the collegiate level.
“He views me as a little bit of both. I’m relentless, I play with a lot of aggression and I use my hands,” Reed said of what attributes help him excel as a defensive lineman.
The Carver High School (Columbus, Georgia) standout only played in four games last season, but made a significant impact in his limited time on the field, racking up 30 tackles (10 for loss) and seven sacks.
Reed said he will take an official visit to Ohio State, and it will be the final official he takes. That visit will likely occur in July, said Reed, who expects to make a commitment sometime in the summer before the start of his senior year.
Fletcher to announce commitment Tuesday
One week after visiting Ohio State, four-star 2023 running back Mark Fletcher is ready to decide which college he'll play for. Fletcher announced Friday that he will make a commitment at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, when he’ll pick from a final four of Miami, Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State.
There can only be 1.. @Andrew_Ivins #forverhumble pic.twitter.com/GIa0i8bFpC
— MarkFletcherjr (@fletcherjr_mark) April 8, 2022
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound running back visited Columbus last weekend with a host of his South Florida Express teammates. A flurry of 247Sports Crystal Ball projections favored toward Ohio State, four in total, were made shortly after his visit.
Ohio State offensive tackle commit Luke Montgomery sure seems to think good news is on the horizon for the Buckeyes.
Uh oh https://t.co/hTfs5oBis0
— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) April 8, 2022
In eight games for American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) last season, Fletcher had 779 rushing yards on 110 carries with 13 touchdowns. He is the high school and 7-on-7 teammate of fellow Ohio State target and five-star 2023 wideout Brandon Inniss. Landing Fletcher certainly wouldn't hurt OSU's chances of landing Inniss, too.
Tune in Tuesday for my dawg!! https://t.co/hSLbvdERcm
— Brandon Inniss (@brandon5star2) April 8, 2022
Harris includes Ohio State in top 10
One of Ohio State’s 2023 cornerback targets is getting closer to making a decision. Four-star 2023 Florida cornerback Daniel Harris released a top 10 list on Thursday that included Ohio State as well as Cincinnati, Tennessee, Jackson State, Penn State, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Michigan, Georgia and Miami.
top 10. pic.twitter.com/WwvZ82aSLh
— Daniel Harris (@h9rrisdaniel) April 8, 2022
Harris hasn’t been recruited by the Buckeyes for very long, as he received his OSU offer on Feb. 23, but that didn’t keep them from making the cut as Harris begins to narrow down his recruitment.
In 10 games for Gulliver Prep (Miami, Florida) last season, Harris racked up 37 tackles (2 for loss), an interception, two pass deflections and a blocked punt. He's considered the 346th-best player and the 35th-best cornerback in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.
Woodyard to visit Ohio State on April 22
The top safety in the 2024 class will be visiting Ohio State later this month. Five-star California safety Peyton Woodyard told Eleven Warriors Friday he’ll be visiting Ohio State on April 22. Woodyard will also visit Oregon, Notre Dame, Michigan and Michigan State this spring.
"I've been talking with coach (Perry) Eliano once or twice a week," Woodyard said. "I'm looking forward to getting out there with both of my parents."
Woodyard is ranked as the 11th-best prospect and the top-rated safety in the 2024 class. He last visited Columbus in June, when he received an offer from the Buckeyes, but saw Ohio State practice at his high school, St. John Bosco, when the Buckeyes were preparing for the Rose Bowl in December.
“The practice was short and energetic and focused,” Woodyard told Eleven Warriors in December. “The coaches and players were focused and I liked their energy. I am honored that OSU has given me the opportunity to potentially be a part of their family, it is absolutely humbling.”
Woodyard, who recorded 62 total tackles, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery in his sophomore season, has 28 Division I offers thus far.
