The Hurry-Up: Jalen Thompson to Commit Aug. 22, Three Ohio State Commits Are MaxPreps All-Americans, Twitter Reactions to Arvell Reese's Commitment

By Garrick Hodge on August 8, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Jalen Thompson
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An Ohio State defensive line target is two weeks away from making a decision.

Four-star Michigan defensive lineman Jalen Thompson announced Saturday he will make his commitment on Aug. 22. Thompson will choose from a final five of Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. 

The race for Thompson seems to be coming down to Michigan State and Ohio State. The Buckeyes could still be weighing how hard they want to push for Thompson’s commitment in comparison to other defensive line targets still on their recruiting board. Thompson’s final decision may reflect how hard Ohio State pushed one way or another, but the Michigan prospect is still weighing his options and has yet to make a decision. 

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive end earned an Ohio State offer June 1 after impressing Larry Johnson at a recruiting camp. He returned for another visit July 25.

“They’re definitely still one of my top schools and they probably moved up the board,” Thompson told Eleven Warriors of Ohio State in July. “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.” 

Thompson is viewed as a defensive end by Johnson and OSU.

“What he was telling me is how much he could develop me as a player,” Thompson said of his conversation with Johnson in July. “He was trying to show me how I could become the best version of myself.” 

Other defensive line targets include Matayo Uiagalelei, Damon Wilson, Desmond Umeozulu and Keon Keeley.

RELATED Heat Check: Matayo Uiagalelei Becomes Ohio State's New No. 1 Target As Six New Names Join the 2023 Recruiting Board

Inniss, Montgomery, Lee are MaxPreps preseason All-Americans

Preseason award season isn’t only for college football. MaxPreps released its All-America teams for high school seniors on Monday, and three Ohio State commitments earned second-team honors: Brandon Inniss, Luke Montgomery and Kayin Lee.

There are many other players on the All-America teams who will be familiar to those who follow recruiting closely. Ohio State defensive end target Matayo Uiagalelei was given first-team honors. Notre Dame defensive end commit Keon Keeley, who also remains an OSU target, earned a spot on the second team. 

Social media reaction to Reese commitment

Although Ohio State didn’t end up landing the recommitment from cornerback Dijon Johnson that some expected it would this weekend, the Buckeyes still got a defensive commitment over the weekend nevertheless when Arvell Reese made his pledge to Ohio State on Saturday.

The four-star Ohio linebacker had stated for months he planned on committing in November or December, but Ohio State wanted him to move up his timeline. By pulling the trigger, Reese became the first linebacker commit in the Buckeyes’ 2023 class. He also started the process of restoring Ohio State’s famous Glenville High School pipeline.

RELATED What Arvell Reese's Commitment Means for Ohio State's 2023 Recruiting Class

Various Ohio State commits and staffers chimed in on social media to congratulate Reese after he picked Ohio State.

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