Standing on the sidelines watching his alma mater’s season opener against St. Vincent-St. Mary on Thursday in Akron, Glenville alumnus Cardale Jones couldn’t stop smiling.
From the combination of seeing old friends and acquaintances to seeing Glenville start its season 1-0 with a 25-0 win, he had plenty to celebrate.
“It’s extremely important,” the former Ohio State quarterback said of what Glenville means to him today. “Not just important to me, but our community. It’s one of the rare things our community can all agree on and come together for, to support other Glenville athletes. Being at this game, I’ve seen so many people I haven’t seen since I was playing here. We all have that same common goal, whatever we can do to support these guys.”
Glenville alumnus and former Ohio State standout QB Cardale Jones is here showing support for his alma mater. pic.twitter.com/s3paQv0tm3
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) August 19, 2022
Jones was part of the Glenville-to-Ohio State pipeline’s most prominent era, as he was one of 21 Tarblooders who played for the Buckeyes from 2002 to 2017. When linebacker Arvell Reese committed to Ohio State earlier this month, Jones was thrilled to see Glenville re-emerge as a priority for Ohio State in recruiting.
“It was pretty cool,” Jones said of Reese committing to OSU. “Hopefully that pipeline opens back up. I know they have another two or three kids that they’re recruiting. One already has an offer, so hopefully, after they go through the recruiting process and weigh out their options and what’s important to them, Ohio State is their top decision.
“I think (OSU re-establishing the pipeline is) great because Glenville always has some great athletes. They’re known for players that have come to Ohio State and have done some big things for the program.”
The player with an offer Jones spoke of is four-star cornerback Bryce West, who remains a massive priority for the Buckeyes in the 2024 cycle. West, Reese and a host of other Glenville players camped with Ohio State on June 14. Four-star 2024 tight end Damarion Witten could be a candidate to get an offer from OSU down the road, as the 6-foot-4, 215-pound prospect boasts offers from Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State and Pittsburgh.
Jones says he talks occasionally with Glenville players but doesn’t try to sell them on the Buckeyes.
“I’ve spoken to (some of) those guys, but I don’t really push recruiting,” Jones said. “It’s just more of telling them ‘Hey, go where your heart desires and weigh what’s important to you.’”
Davidson visiting for Notre Dame game
Normally, social media announcements from recruits concerning school visit plans are very informal. 2025 Virginia running back Gideon Davidson took his a bit more seriously.
I have accepted a invite to attend the Sept. 3 Ohio State vs Notre Dame game by @CoachTonyAlford. Excited for my 1st OSU game day experience. @VaPrepsRivals @TreVeyonH4 @OhioStateFB @OhioStAthletics @Bill_Kurelic @Birm @BuckeyeScoop @Bucknuts247 @LCABulldogsFB https://t.co/KmKI65JycG
— Gideon Davidson (@DavidsonGideon) August 22, 2022
Davidson, who received an offer from Tony Alford on June 13, is one of many recruits planning to attend the Buckeyes’ season opener against Notre Dame on Sept. 3.
While his 2022 season has yet to officially start, Davidson has already shown why Ohio State is interested in his talents. He had a monster showing in Liberty Christian Academy’s (Lynchburg, Virginia) preseason game Friday, scoring three first-half touchdowns, including this impressive one-handed grab.
@DavidsonGideon giving God the credit @SportsCenter#SCtop10
— KidFitMinistries (@KidFitMinistry) August 20, 2022
WSET Sports pic.twitter.com/L0XXEdIXYs
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound tailback currently holds nine Division I offers, also including Liberty, Louisville, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.
Williams attending OSU season opener
Davidson isn’t the only running back who announced plans this week to attend the Notre Dame game. Four-star 2024 Missouri running back Aneyas Williams told 247Sports he also plans to be in Columbus that weekend.
Williams, the first player from Missouri with an Ohio State offer in the 2024 class, received his Buckeyes offer on July 27. He’s already dominated the high school level in his underclassman years, racking up 71 total touchdowns in his freshman and sophomore seasons. He scored 47 total touchdowns with 2,800 all-purpose yards last year, hauling in 63 passes for 1,297 yards and 24 touchdowns as a receiver.
