Ohio 2024 defensive end Demetrius John’s first memories associated with college football are associated with watching Ohio State games. In the spring, John took two visits to the school he grew up rooting for, on April 2 and April 16, and was blown away by what he saw.
“The overall experience was amazing,” John told Eleven Warriors. “I loved the coaching staff and everything. I got to be around defensive line coach Larry Johnson and I love the amount of passion he has when he coaches his players. I love the brotherhood aspect and how everybody’s together as a family. It was a very welcoming place to be in for myself and my family.”
Had a great time at the OSU Spring Game today! Huge thanks to @etwill21 and the coaching staff for the invitation! Looking forward to being back this summer! O-H @R2X_Rushmen1 @CoachJimKnowles #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/M6UA5LER66
— "" (@DDJohn54) April 16, 2022
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end is starting to see the fruits of his labor paying off on the recruiting scene, as he currently holds seven Division I offers with all of them coming in May. Johnson does not hold a composite ranking and is still waiting on his first power five offer, though, so he feels he has plenty to prove heading into camp season.
John, who plays on both the offensive and defensive line for Westerville North, said he will camp with OSU on June 21. Earlier this spring, Jim Knowles and other OSU assistant coaches stopped by Westerville North and told John he’s being primarily recruited to OSU as a defensive end.
“I’d say my personal goals would be building as many personal relationships as I can with the coaches there,” John said of camping with OSU. “I plan on showcasing what I’m capable of as much as possible and my skill set as an edge. I want to show my defensive end techniques and my speed off the ball, just any aspect a coach would want to see from me I plan on showing that in June.”
Should he prove enough to earn an offer from OSU, it would be a dream come true for the Ohio resident.
“Since I was little, I’ve always been into college football and I’ve loved Ohio State,” John said. “It would really be a true blessing to me and my family. It’s a blessing to get a free education anywhere, especially at a nice and beautiful school with a great football program.”
Atkinson, Smith confirm they will camp at OSU
Four-star 2024 defensive lineman Nigel Smith and 2026 edge rusher Tyler Atkinson have already done enough to earn Ohio State offers. But that isn’t going to stop either one from camping with the Buckeyes this summer anyway.
Both Smith and Atkinson confirmed to Eleven Warriors they will work out with OSU this summer, with Atkinson planning to camp in Columbus Wednesday and Smith taking a June 6 visit.
Smith has visited Columbus twice, once in November for the Michigan State game and later returning in April for OSU’s spring game.
“They’re on the higher side of my list so far,” Smith told Eleven Warriors about OSU after his April 16 visit. “I still haven’t checked out all the schools I want to check out yet, but (Ohio State) is definitely a good school.”
— Nigel Smith (@NigelSmith_25) April 16, 2022
Meanwhile, Atkinson received his OSU offer when he was still in eighth grade on May 11 without ever having worked out in front of the Buckeyes. There’s plenty of intrigue nationwide surrounding Atkinson as a prospect, as he became the first-ever eighth grader to get invited to an All-American Bowl. Wednesday, OSU coaches and media alike will get to see the raw talents of the 6-foot-3, 190-pound defensive end who has already racked up seven offers.
Harbor leaves OSU off top 7
A five-star 2023 defensive end with an Ohio State offer is going in a different direction. Nyckoles Harbor released a top 7 list on Saturday that did not feature the Buckeyes but consisted of Michigan, USC, Miami, Maryland, Georgia, LSU and South Carolina.
++Heart fullofspaces, dreams fullof greatness++ pic.twitter.com/T0SCi3hV3X
— Nyckoles Nehemiah Harbor ll (@Nyck1k) May 28, 2022
Harbor picked up his OSU offer on Oct. 4 and did not take a visit to Columbus, so him leaving OSU off his list isn’t unexpected. Other defensive end targets for OSU in 2023 include Keon Keeley, Matayo Uiagalelei, Damon Wilson, Desmond Umeozulu and Ta’Mere Robinson.
