After receiving an offer from Ohio State on June 1 after an impressive camp, four-star 2023 defensive lineman Jalen Thompson was determined to make it back to Columbus before making a college decision.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Michigan prospect returned to OSU on Monday after the dead period was officially lifted for the rest of the month.
Had a tremendous time visiting The Ohio State University #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/9khhr6wCVR
— Jalen Thompson (@__4jalen) July 26, 2022
“It was a great visit,” Thompson told Eleven Warriors. “I learned a lot of different things about the program. I talked to guys in the strength and conditioning, player development and academic side of things and talked to lots of coaches on my visit. One big thing I would say I learned from the whole visit is how much time, effort and technology they put into each and every player.”
Thompson, who is being recruited by OSU as a defensive end, said he and Larry Johnson talk weekly. On his visit, Johnson laid out how Thompson would be utilized on the field.
“What he was telling me is how much he could develop me as a player,” Thompson said. “He was trying to show me how I could become the best version of myself.”
Following the visit, Ohio State is in a better position with Thompson than it was entering the week.
“They’re definitely still one of my top schools and they probably moved up the board,” Thompson said. “When I went there, I felt very welcomed. I could see myself being there both on and off the field.
“They really stand out and have a lot to offer. One big thing I’d probably say is being coached by the best is going to take a lot of hard work but they have so much to offer as a university and as a program.”
Before visiting OSU, Thompson said he planned on committing at either the end of July or early August. His timeline has now been pushed back to the middle of August. He took official visits to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati earlier this summer and hopes to visit Michigan State and Penn State again before making a decision.
“My mom hasn’t met Michigan State’s defensive line coach yet, so I’d like to get up to see him,” Thompson said. “I think that’s really it. I was trying to get up to Penn State but the available dates are pretty close. I’ll see what I can do.”
Glenn to commit Saturday
One of Ohio State’s top remaining quarterback targets in the 2023 class is two days away from a decision. Four-star Tennessee quarterback Brock Glenn released a top five Thursday consisting of Ohio State, Florida State, Auburn, TCU and LSU. He’ll make a commitment at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
BREAKING: Four-Star QB Brock Glenn is down to 5 Schools!
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 28, 2022
The 62 195 QB from Memphis, TN will announce his college decision on Saturday, July 30th
More Here (FREE): https://t.co/XAioUc2Plh pic.twitter.com/UFFlktk5pU
Florida State has had the most momentum with Glenn over the last month, but Ohio State remains in play for the 6-foot-2, 195-pound signal caller. Glenn was offered by OSU in early June, then took an official visit to Columbus June 17-19, one weekend after his official visit to Florida State. His destination is expected to be one of those two schools.
While Glenn seemed like a near-lock to commit to Florida State with the decommitment of Chris Parson and OSU’s pursuit of Austin Novosad, the Buckeyes have ramped up their efforts to land Glenn after Novosad scheduled visits this week for Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Baylor.
Ryan Day will know on Saturday afternoon if he has his quarterback for the 2023 cycle or if he potentially has to cast a wider net.
Williams picks up OSU offer
Ohio State has identified another running back target for 2024, offering four-star Missouri prospect Aneyas Williams on Wednesday.
Blessed to Receive an Offer from THE Ohio State! @SteveHelwagen @davebiddle @AWardSports @JacobBenge @OhioSt_Rivals @HannibalFootbal @C3Elite7v7 @ChadSimmons_ @SWiltfong247 @DemetricDWarren @HannibalFootbal @CoachTonyAlford @JPRockMO @Rivals_Clint @adamgorney @Andrew_Ivins pic.twitter.com/isFXqfuPyf
— AneyasWilliams/4 (@AneyasW) July 27, 2022
Williams is the first player from Missouri that Ohio State has offered in the 2024 class. He is ranked as the nation’s 311th-best prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound running back currently holds 16 Division I offers, also including Alabama, Boston College, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan State, Missouri, Notre Dame, Ole Miss and Oregon.
Williams helped lead Hannibal High School (Hannibal, Missouri) to a 13-1 record last season.
Walker commits to UCF
Ohio State has missed out on another priority defensive target in the 2023 class. After Caleb Downs committed to Alabama on Wednesday and Tackett Curtis committed to USC last week, four-star Florida defensive tackle John Walker became the latest to spurn the Buckeyes when he opted to stay home and commit to UCF Thursday.
BREAKING: Four-Star DL John Walker has Committed to UCF!
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 28, 2022
The 64 305 DL from Kissimmee, FL chose the Knights over Ohio State, Michigan, Miami, and Florida.
More Here (FREE): https://t.co/de4TSx0CqO pic.twitter.com/B8NtblW85j
OSU currently has two defensive line commits in the 2023 class in Jason Moore and Will Smith Jr. Thompson, Matayo Uiagalelei, Desmond Umeozulu, Damon Wilson and Keon Keeley are among the defensive linemen they’re still targeting.
