After Ohio State completely reshuffled its defensive coaching staff in January, four-star California linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa wasn’t sure exactly where he stood with the Buckeyes anymore.
A month later, OSU senior advisor and analyst Matt Guerrieri reached out to Viliamu-Asa to let him know the Buckeyes were still very interested in him as a prospect.
“Matt Guerrieri was the first person I got in contact with the new coaching staff,” Viliamu-Asa told Eleven Warriors. “I was on the phone with him a few times and talked with him about coming up there. That’s when we set it up. He said I’m a priority and thinks I’m a great fit for Ohio State.”
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Viliamu-Asa, the first recruit Ohio State offered in the 2024 cycle, took his first visit to Columbus since last summer on April 20-21. He enjoyed the opportunity to continue to build relationships with OSU’s new defensive staff.
“Definitely got to spend a little more time up there (than last June),” Viliamu-Asa said. “The last time I came up there, I just had surgery and was on crutches. So this time it was good to be able to walk around. I actually met a lot more staff and met with the strength and conditioning staff, academic meetings and the nutritionist, I got to see every aspect of Ohio State.
“It was great to get back up there,” Viliamu-Asa said. “I got to meet some of the coaches and hang out with some players. I had a good time over there.”
Had a great time back in Columbus lil bro had a blast too. Thank you @OhioStateFB @MattGuerrieri @CoachKMcFarland @ryandaytime pic.twitter.com/SrSWWrSf3D
— Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (@AsaViliamu) April 22, 2022
Viliamu-Asa said Jim Knowles showed him film from his Oklahoma State defense during the visit. Knowles, who he met for the first time during his visit, told Viliamu-Asa he could play one of the inside linebacker positions in his defense.
“I think he definitely knows what he’s talking about,” Viliamu-Asa said. “He has some experience and I’ve heard a lot of good things about his defense. He explained to me how I would fit into the defense. His linebackers are so athletic and need to be able to do multiple things, and that’s how he thinks I could fit into their defense.”
With his second visit to Ohio State complete, Viliamu-Asa is starting to feel more comfortable with OSU as a potential destination.
“It’s like a home away from home,” Viliamu-Asa said. “Knowing the kind of people I’d be around, I think it would be a good fit if I were to go there.”
Viliamu-Asa said he hopes to make a game visit to OSU this fall, though he has no specific plans as of yet. He also said he hopes to start narrowing down his recruitment after his junior football season.
Hale includes OSU in top six
A highly touted wide receiver prospect in the 2023 class is getting closer to making a decision.
Four-star Texas wideout Jalen Hale announced his final six schools on Thursday night, a list that consisted of Ohio State, USC, Alabama, Georgia, Texas and Texas A&M.
In then there was 6 - Im so grateful for it all and beyond blessed - Thanks @Hayesfawcett3 for Edit and everyone on this journey till this point @coachjohnking @CoachWritt @SWiltfong247 @dctf @adamgorney @longviewgameday @Lobo_Football @justinwells2424 https://t.co/zJZa4mrXe1
— Jalen Hale (@JalenHale8) May 6, 2022
Hale visited Columbus April 1-3 and spent time speaking with both Ryan Day and Brian Hartline.
“It was good talking to them,” Hale said in April. “Hartline and I talk all the time, so we keep in touch. They both just told me how I fit in the system for them and how they would love to have me be a Buckeye.”
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Hale told Eleven Warriors Friday he plans to take an official visit to Ohio State in the summer, though he has not locked down a specific date.
Ohio State has one wide receiver committed to its 2023 class in Bryson Rodgers, and the Buckeyes would like to take either three or four wideouts in the cycle. Other top priorities at wideout include Brandon Inniss, Carnell Tate, Noah Rogers and Rico Flores.
Aguirre to take official to OSU
Ohio State will host one of its biggest priority linebacker targets for an official visit June 24-26 in Tackett Curtis. One of Ohio State’s other targets at linebacker, four-star Georgia linebacker Raul Aguirre, told 247Sports this week he will make an official visit to OSU that same weekend.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Aguirre last visited Ohio State in early April to watch a spring practice.
“Honestly, I loved it,” Aguirre told Eleven Warriors of his visit in April. “Every single thing was perfect. Right when I walked through the door, the coaches showed a lot of love. That’s a school my dad loves, so that was a school I definitely wanted to see. Coach (Ryan) Day and coach (Jim) Knowles have both been recruiting me for a while now, so there’s definitely great relationships there. It was a great environment, it was just a great visit.”
