While seven new offers went out to recruits Wednesday at Ohio State’s first camp of the year, four-star offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis picked up an offer from the Buckeyes on Tuesday after speaking with offensive line coach Justin Frye.
WOW!! After a great conversation with @CoachJFrye Im blessed to receive an offer from The Ohio State University #GoBucks @CoachSollenne @CoachTonyAlford pic.twitter.com/3bqtMtIti9
— Eddy Pierre- Louis (@eddypierreloui5) May 31, 2022
“It felt really good, it’s just a humbling experience knowing that I worked so hard for this,” Pierre-Louis told Eleven Warriors. “When he offered me, he just told me to keep working hard and that I deserve this. He also said we need to get you up here in the fall with your mom and show you what it’s like.”
The offer was a long time coming, as Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford has been recruiting Pierre-Louis since his freshman year of high school. Alford’s primary recruiting area for OSU is the Sunshine State.
While he resides in Florida, OSU has several connections to Pierre-Louis. Offensive line graduate assistant coach Mike Sollenne coached Pierre-Louis’ older brother, Florida offensive lineman Richard Gouraige, while Sollenne was on the Gators’ staff in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Pierre-Louis is also close friends with former Ohio State offensive Nicholas Petit-Frere, who grew up in Tampa with Gouraige. Petit-Frere, now with the Tennessee Titans, has spoken to Pierre-Louis briefly about Ohio State and has given him advice on how to better himself as a player.
“He told me to stay in shape, make sure my flexibility is good and everything, make sure I’m mobile and that I can play different positions," Pierre-Louis said. "He also told me to make sure I stay in the weight room.”
Before offering him Tuesday, Frye stopped at Pierre-Louis’ high school earlier this spring. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Pierre-Louis said Frye envisions him as a guard at the collegiate level.
“He said I’m built like a guard and muscular like a guard,” Pierre-Louis said. “He likes how dominant I am on the inside.”
Pierre-Louis already has more than 35 Division I offers, including Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC.
The Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Florida) product said he “for sure” plans on visiting Ohio State in the future, but is unsure of a specific date. There’s no doubt he has a real interest in the Buckeyes, though.
“Playing for a championship team,” Pierre-Louis said when asked about the best thing about potentially playing for Ohio State. “I think they have a championship team. They have a championship team and great coaches around them. They have a great culture, too.”
Okunlola puts OSU in top nine
Ohio State remains in the race for five-star offensive tackle Samson Okunlola.
No matter where I go Ill always be from the 508 pic.twitter.com/0HWS2O7bm5
— Samson Okunlola 23 (@SAMSONOKUNLOLA_) June 2, 2022
Okunlola, one of Ohio State's top offensive tackle targets in the 2023 cycle along with Olaus Alinen, included the Buckeyes in his top nine Thursday. Other schools included in the list were Oregon, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Penn State, Miami and Penn State.
Unlike Alinen, Okunlola did not visit OSU this spring nor has he set an official visit to Columbus. But this isn't an either-or situation, as OSU would gladly take both if they can. The fact Okunlola included the Buckeyes in his top nine indicates the Massachusetts prospect still has interest in Ohio State, but getting him to campus for an official in the summer or fall will be critical in landing him.
Babalade puts OSU in top seven
Maryland 2023 offensive tackle Oluwatosin Babalade has only recently been offered by Ohio State, picking up his Buckeyes offer on May 23. That didn’t stop the three-star prospect from including OSU in his top seven Wednesday, though.
Top 7!! @ChadSimmons_ @RivalsFriedman @SWiltfong247 pic.twitter.com/oWZnsLMvrC
— Oluwatosin Babalade (@_Bigtree23) June 1, 2022
Babalade released a final seven consisting of the Buckeyes, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Rutgers, Michigan and North Carolina State. As an aside, I personally think his graphic is the coolest I’ve ever seen from any recruit, but that’s probably because I had a horrible infatuation with Pokemon cards when I was little.
Walker to commit on Oct. 22
Four-star 2023 defensive lineman John Walker has set a decision date for Oct. 22.
Blessed to announce I will be making my college decision Oct 22nd !! @getrightderrick @Roadrunnerjah
— John walker (@Johnwal60517678) June 2, 2022
Walker, who is a priority target for the Buckeyes, announced a final five in December of Ohio State, UCF, Penn State, Alabama and Florida State. There’s been some shake-ups since then, as Walker has set official visits to OSU, UCF, USC and Michigan for June.
Other top targets along the defensive line include Jason Moore, Victor Burley, Tomarrion Parker, A’mauri Washington, Darron Reed, Stephiylan Green, AJ Hoffler and Kayden McDonald.
