When Avon 2024 running back Jakorion Caffey took two spring visits to Ohio State on April 4 and 16, the longtime Ohio State fan was on cloud nine.
“It was really shocking that I was actually on the field I always watched growing up,” Caffey told Eleven Warriors. “When I was younger, I never knew I’d have the opportunity to tour Ohio State. I’m extremely blessed and it just motivates me to work harder so I can earn a spot and go to Ohio State one day.”
Had a great time at @OhioStateFB today. Thank you @CoachTonyAlford and @etwill21 for the unofficial visit. Cant wait to be back #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/RloYw2JB9Y
— Jakorion Caffey (@JakorionC) April 4, 2022
Caffey had a breakout sophomore year for Avon, running for 1,254 yards on 153 carries (8.2 YPC) and 23 touchdowns last season. OSU running backs coach Tony Alford has taken notice and has been keeping in touch with Caffey for the last few months.
Caffey met with the OSU coaching staff while on his visit and came away impressed.
“I talked to Tony Alford and all the other coaches down there and they seem really cool,” Caffey said. “They don’t just care about your football ability. They actually care about your academics and after football life. They had a really good atmosphere and bring really good energy to practice.”
Despite the breakout year, Caffey has only recently picked up a handful of Division I offers, three in total and all in-state schools: Bowling Green, Toledo and Kent State, all within the last month.
“It hasn’t been too bad,” Caffey said of his recruiting process. “I see everyone else get these offers but I’m not really panicking because I’m still a sophomore. It just motivates me to work harder.”
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound running back has his sights set on earning an Ohio State offer one day, and is motivated to put in the work this offseason to show he’s deserving of one.
“(Coach Alford) told me to just control what I can control and keep getting better and to just trust the process and stay patient with the recruiting process,” he said. “I’m still young so he just wants me to stay patient and keep getting better.
“Getting an OSU offer would mean a lot. I’ve been working ever since middle school when I started football. It’s been a really good process and it would be really good to get an offer from them. It would just really amaze me and motivate me to work harder. I’m definitely going to work to get that offer.”
Caffey is continuing his spring track season for Avon and working on increasing his elusiveness to be even more shifty this fall.
“I would say I’m both a power back and have elusiveness,” Caffey said of his running style. “I have hands and I like to keep it mixed up and keep the defense thinking. I like to catch the ball, I like to run, I like to juke, all that stuff. I’ll work my tail off this offseason to tweak everything up and get better.”
Tate nearing decision
In what now feels like ages ago, five-star 2023 Florida wide receiver Carnell Tate once planned to make a commitment last October.
Shortly before his commitment date, Tate postponed his decision, saying he needed more time and the opportunity to make more visits. After lots of twists and turns in his recruitment, Tate may finally be nearing a decision, the Ohio State priority recruit told On3 this week.
“I want to commit this summer,” Tate told On3. “I feel like I am closing in on a decision. June is when I have been thinking about committing, but nothing is set yet. I feel like I am definitely getting closer.”
Tate said he won’t visit either Ohio State or Notre Dame, two schools that have long been big players for the 6-foot-2, 185-pound wideout, before making his decision. That’s not necessarily bad news for OSU, considering he’s visited Columbus numerous times over the past year and has seen everything he’s needed to from an Ohio State perspective.
However, Tennessee has been surging recently in the recruitment of Tate, and OSU will likely be sweating it out all the way until his decision date.
Siereveld commitment reaction
In case you missed it, four-star offensive lineman Austin Siereveld became the 10th commitment of Ohio State’s 2023 class on Wednesday and the fifth in-state prospect to give a verbal to the Buckeyes.
Ohio State commits and staffers alike took to social media to celebrate landing the 6-foot-5, 315-pound prospect.
Staying Home!!! #GoBucks @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/Jmsgz3FPJ2
— Austin Siereveld (@SiereveldAustin) May 4, 2022
— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) May 4, 2022
— Justin Frye (@CoachJFrye) May 4, 2022
— Mike Sollenne (@CoachSollenne) May 4, 2022
Yup.
— Keenan Bailey (@CoachKee) May 4, 2022
Hes like that
BIG BOOM#CHO23N@CoachJFrye @CoachSollenne #ImAnOLineCoach pic.twitter.com/VEWfWFXXMI
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) May 4, 2022
BOOOOM https://t.co/s9h1gWjQnA
— Ty Lockwood (@TyLockwood7) May 4, 2022
