It’s high school football season in Ohio.
Some schools will begin their seasons on Thursday evening, while others kick off on Friday. Yours truly will be in Cleveland on Thursday night to watch 2023 four-star linebacker commitment Arvell Reese and 2024 four-star cornerback target Bryce West, while I’ll be watching 2024 four-star safety target Garrett Stover on Friday. If you don’t want to wait for for more coverage on Eleven Warriors, you can follow along on Twitter for video clips from both nights.
Ohio State has cleaned up Ohio in the current recruiting cycle with commitments from seven of the top state’s eight prospects in the composite rankings for the 2023 class. The 2024 class in Ohio appears to be one of the most talent-laden classes the Buckeye State has seen in quite some time, so there will be plenty more in-state targets the Buckeyes are pursuing over the next year.
Before they begin chasing national titles with Ohio State next year, the Buckeyes’ seven in-state 2023 commits will be hoping to conclude their high school careers with state titles this season. Wayne offensive lineman Joshua Padilla told Eleven Warriors as much when we caught up with him right before the season started.
“At Wayne, I want to win a state championship,” Padilla said. “That’s been my goal I’ve since I’ve been here. Growing up you were always watching Wayne in the state semis. I’ve always wanted to be in the state finals.”
Here’s the breakdown of where and when each of Ohio State’s seven in-state commits will begin their final prep seasons. All of the games will begin at 7 p.m.
- Arvell Reese, four-star linebacker at Glenville High School: Thursday at St. Vincent-St. Mary.
- Joshua Padilla, four-star offensive lineman at Wayne: Thursday at Fairfield.
- Luke Montgomery, four-star offensive tackle at Findlay: Friday at Anthony Wayne.
- Jermaine Mathews, four-star cornerback at Winton Woods: Friday vs. Trotwood-Madison.
- Austin Siereveld, four-star offensive lineman at Lakota East: Friday vs. Centerville.
- Malik Hartford, four-star safety at Lakota West: Friday vs. St. Xavier.
- Will Smith Jr., three-star defensive tackle at Dublin Coffman: Friday vs. St. John’s Jesuit.
OSU commits recruiting Keeley
The first domino Ohio State needed to fall if it's going to flip five-star edge rusher Keon Keeley fell late Wednesday night when the Florida prospect decommitted from Notre Dame.
Alabama immediately became the heavy favorite to land Keeley following his decommitment, as a flurry of 247Sports Crystal Ball projections flooded in for the five-star talent to land with the Crimson Tide. So if Ohio State wants a puncher’s chance at landing the coveted defensive end, the Buckeyes will need to get Keeley to take an official visit to OSU for the Sept. 3 season opener against Notre Dame, which seems plausible.
Members of Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class know what a game-changing talent Keeley is, as top peer recruiters Luke Montgomery, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss have already reached out to Keeley via social media to try to convince the defensive standout to join them in Columbus.
Talk to me! @keon_keeley
— Carnell Tate (@carnelltate_) August 18, 2022
@keon_keeley let me know when u ready to shock the world. And bring a natty back to Columbus!!
— Brandon Inniss (@brandon5star2) August 18, 2022
Lets go bro @keon_keeley pic.twitter.com/ebQIZkI6i9
— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) August 18, 2022
Glenn raising money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
2023 Ohio State quarterback commit Brock Glenn will begin his final season at Lausanne Collegiate School (Memphis, Tennessee) on Friday, and he’ll be supporting an honorable cause in the process. The future Buckeye signal-caller, along with Lausanne kicker Max Gilbert, is sponsoring a “Touchdowns Against Cancer” pledge that has already raised $3,193 based on an estimated total of 85 touchdowns and field goals scored by Lausanne this fall.
New pledges promise to donate a certain amount of cash for every touchdown, field goal and extra point Lausanne scores this season. Those interested in donating to the cause can do so here.
