Arguably the fastest-emerging running back in the class of 2025, California standout Jordon Davison grew up rooting for Ohio State.
Although he lives in California, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound prospect has an OSU connection because of former Buckeyes and NFL linebacker Larry Grant, who is a close friend of the Davison family.
Davison took his first-ever visit to Columbus on April 16 during Ohio State’s spring game.
“The environment was crazy,” Davison told Eleven Warriors. “Growing up an Ohio State fan, I was just excited to be there for the first time. The attendance for a spring game was crazy. I could only imagine what a real football game looks like.”
The trip was a productive one for the Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) prospect. Not only did he meet Ryan Day, but he earned an offer from the Buckeyes after speaking with running backs coach Tony Alford.
Im Extremely Blessed to say I have received an Offer From THEE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. Thank you for believing in me ! @CoachTonyAlford @OSUCoachKDub @ryandaytime @MDFootball @BrandonHuffman @GregBiggins @adamgorney @CoachBriscoeWR @jnashmusic #MLUYFI #TEAMPALA #MONARCHS pic.twitter.com/ledvlTOmRU
— Jordon Davison (@Jord0n2) April 16, 2022
It speaks volumes that the Buckeyes already believe in Davison enough to offer him following his freshman season, considering he only played sparingly in 2021 for one of the nation’s premier high school football programs. In what little action he did see last year, Davison ran for 188 yards on 30 carries while also scoring four touchdowns. The Buckeyes are hardly alone in their assessment of offering Davison based on mere projectability and size, though, as he’s currently racked up more than 20 Division I offers.
After he finished presenting the offer to Davison, Alford challenged him to prove why he deserved the offer for the rest of his high school career.
“I was just in shock,” Davison said. “I always grew up a Big Ten fan so being offered by one of the top teams in the Big Ten, it meant a lot. I just need to put in more work throughout these three years and get better than I am right now.”
Davison said Ohio State is appealing because of the production of previous running backs and long history of producing NFL-caliber tailbacks. While on his visit, he spoke with former OSU players Justin Fields, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave and current quarterback C.J. Stroud.
“It was motivation to get to those next levels,” Davison said.
Davison said he will likely take another visit to Ohio State this summer.
Recruits react to former OSU wideout trio getting drafted
The 10th, 11th and 12th overall picks in Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft may as well have served as a recruiting brochure for Brian Hartline to present to any future prospective elite wide receiver recruit that is considering Ohio State.
After former Ohio State wide receivers Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams went back-to-back-to-back, social media exploded with reactions from both prospective wide receiver targets and current OSU commits alike.
@brandon5star2 https://t.co/ktFApqBnKf
— Carnell Tate (@carnelltate_) April 29, 2022
— Brandon Inniss (@brandon5star2) April 29, 2022
Back to Back to Back
— Jeremiah Smith (@Jermiah_Smith1) April 29, 2022
ZONE 6! being committed to The Ohio State University , & seeing what coach Hart is doing with his wide receiver room is just pure motivation. lets go! @brianhartline @OhioStateFB #GoBucks
— Iam_uno (@IBryson13) April 29, 2022
zone 6 thats how yall get down @brianhartline @ryandaytime
— Rico Flores Jr (@lil_reek_) April 29, 2022
— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) April 29, 2022
Alford visits Carrie Thursday
As Ohio State coaches continue to hit the road recruiting during the spring evaluation period, Alford stopped in Tampa, Florida Thursday to check in with four-star 2024 running back Anthony Carrie.
The 6-foot, 185-pound Carrie, who was first offered by OSU in late February, told 247Sports he and Alford speak weekly.
“Most definitely I’m looking at Ohio State,” Carrie told 247Sports. “They were actually at my school (on Thursday). Coach Alford watched my practice. He watched me do all my running back stuff. He also came a few months ago.”
Carrie said he expects to visit Ohio State this summer.
