One of Ohio State’s top remaining defensive tackle targets in the 2023 class has narrowed his decision down to five schools.
Four-star Georgia prospect Kayden McDonald announced a top five Thursday consisting of Ohio State, Oklahoma, Clemson, Florida and Michigan. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound prospect will make his commitment on Oct. 31.
Thank you God
— Kayden (@KMac_DT) October 6, 2022
@Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/LCL1j1GK7N
McDonald took his official visit to Ohio State on Sept. 24 for the 52-21 win over Wisconsin, and by all accounts, it was a successful one.
“Ohio State was a great visit,” McDonald told Eleven Warriors after his trip. “I saw everything.
“The gameday atmosphere was insane. It was a surreal environment. Of course, the defensive line played great, they contained the run and the pass rush was efficient. “The staff made it very clear that Columbus is home for me,” McDonald said.
McDonald’s last visit to Columbus before that was the Penn State game from a year ago, but the defensive tackle believes this year’s Buckeyes are much more formidable.
Buckeye nation turn me up pic.twitter.com/7ySbww6P5H
— Kayden (@KMac_DT) September 27, 2022
“It’s a different vibe with coach Knowles being the defensive coordinator,” McDonald said. “The defense looks faster. They’re playing more together and relentless. It’s a relentless defense and a national championship-type defense.”
Since his visit, Ohio State has been communicating with McDonald daily and putting a full-court press on for the Georgia prospect. Another plus OSU has regarding McDonald is some slight familiarity, as cornerback Jordan Hancock is a former high school teammate of McDonald’s at North Gwinnett High School (Suwanee, Georgia).
McDonald has already used his official to Michigan earlier this year and plans on visiting Florida this weekend. He’ll take an official visit to Oklahoma next weekend and is considering revisiting Clemson.
It’s a challenging read where McDonald is leaning now, though Ohio State has a chance to land the defensive prospect. If proximity to home is a significant factor for McDonald in the end, it’s more than likely he will choose Clemson, which is about a two-hour drive from his residence.
After his visit, McDonald said the most important factors when deciding would be academics, the ability to play early and the potential to win a national championship.
Gach picks up OSU offer
Ohio State has offered a rising offensive tackle prospect in the 2025 cycle. The Buckeyes extended an offer to Michigan prospect Avery Gach Thursday, just a few weeks after he visited the Buckeyes for their game against Wisconsin on Sept. 24.
After a great call with @CoachJFrye Im thankful to receive my first Power Five offer from @OhioStateFB! OH @RisingStars6 @TheD_Zone @AllenTrieu @SWiltfong247 @Rivals_Clint @N_Murph @OSUCoachKDub @ryandaytime @markpantoni @ZachGrantOSU @CoachSollenne @CoachFlare @CoachTGroves pic.twitter.com/GqH6FrNNsb
— Avery Gach (@AveryGach) October 7, 2022
The Buckeyes were Gach’s third offer and his first from the Power Five level, as his other two offers to this point are Central Michigan and Toledo. This season, Gach has helped lead Wylie E. Groves (Franklin, Michigan) to a 4-2 record.
Carter locks in official visit to OSU
A late bloomer in the 2023 cycle, Ohio State linebacker target Arion Carter has scheduled an official visit with the Buckeyes and four other teams after seeing many new offers in September.
Carter confirmed to On3 that he will take his official visit to Ohio State on Nov. 11 when the Buckeyes host Indiana. The Buckeyes offered the Tennessee prospect on Sept. 30. Other official visits include Michigan on Oct. 14, Tennessee on Oct. 28, LSU on Nov. 18 and Alabama on Nov. 25.
Carter is committed to Memphis, but after a plethora of new Power Five offers coming his way, that commitment isn’t likely to hold. Considering his late rise in the recruiting scene, his decision likely won’t be made until after all of his official visits are completed and may go up to National Signing Day.
