One of the fastest-rising tight end prospects in the 2025 class was very complimentary of his recent visit to Ohio State during the Buckeyes’ 56-14 victory over Indiana on Saturday.
Ethan Barbour, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound four-star Georgia prospect, said his visit to OSU exceeded his expectations.
“My visit was great,” Barbour told Eleven Warriors. One of my key takeaways was just how thorough they were. They literally discussed everything from what it means to be a Buckeye, how they help you manage your academic schedule, nutrition, and they even discussed how they prepare you for life on and off the field. The level of detail was incredible.”
On his visit, Barbour said he talked with most of the coaching staff between standing on the field during pregame warmups and walking through the facility.
“The highlight of the day was the personal time I spent in coach Day’s office and the time I spent with Coach Wilson in the tight room,” Barbour said. “To be honest, it’s not so much what they told me. It’s how they made you feel. Everyone was super friendly.”
Barbour picked an excellent game to visit Ohio State as far as his position is concerned, as Cade Stover caught two touchdown passes on the afternoon. The Georiga prospect said he was impressed by how the Buckeyes used their tight ends.
“I spent a lot of time in the tight end room while (Kevin) Wilson went over film,” Barbour said. “Based on what I saw and what I heard, the tight is a critical part of their offense. I think that is only going to grow.”
Currently, the coveted tight end prospect has 13 Division I offers, including programs such as Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh and South Carolina. The Georgia prospect is ranked the 69th-best player and third-best tight end per 247Sports and hopes to add an Ohio State offer to his sheet down the road. He said the Buckeyes have been recruiting him since the beginning of the fall and had wanted him and his family to take a visit for quite some time. The Barbour family finally found a weekend that worked.
“Getting an offer from OSU would mean a lot,” Barbour said. “They are one of the best programs in the country for a reason, and the fan support is out of this world. Plus, they use the tight end. Overall, I would have to say (it’s appealing) just how well-rounded the program is. My sister is finishing up at Vanderbilt, so academics are important to my family. During my visit, the staff stressed just how difficult it is to get into Ohio State.
“So, at OSU, you can play for championships and get an elite education at the same time. Best of both worlds.”
In 11 games this season, Barbour has undoubtedly made an impact for Alpharetta High School (Alpharetta, Georgia), catching 47 passes for 662 yards with 11 touchdowns. Barbour said he hopes to be back at Ohio State later but probably won’t make it back for another game this fall, though it’s not for a lack of desire.
“It’s getting late in the season, so probably not going to make it back this season,” he said. “Would love to see them play in their final game against the team up north, though. That’s going to be a good game.”
Harris decommits from Georgia
A former Ohio State cornerback target has reopened his recruitment. Four-star Florida prospect Daniel Harris decommitted from Georgia Monday evening and told On3 he’s being pursued heavily by Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State.
Decommitted. pic.twitter.com/Tlh4dtYOk4
— Daniel Harris (@h9rrisdaniel) November 15, 2022
Harris took an official visit to Columbus in June but committed to the Bulldogs later that summer. OSU filled its cornerback spots in short order but still technically had one spot available after the decommitment of Dijon Johnson.
In all reality, the Buckeyes are likely content rolling with the three cornerbacks already committed to completing the 2023 cycle. Harris has picked up several 247Sports Crystal Ball Projections to Penn State over the past 24 hours, so the Buckeyes may face the 6-foot-2, 175-pound prospect in the coming years.
Short to visit OSU for Michigan game
One of the top offensive linemen in the 2025 class will be among those in attendance for Ohio State’s regular-season finale against Michigan on Nov. 26. Five-star Georgia prospect Mason Short announced this week he plans on making his first trip to OSU since he picked up his offer in April.
I will be visiting THE Ohio State University Nov.26!! #GoBuckeyes @ryandaytime @CoachJFrye @CoachM_Patrick pic.twitter.com/9rVVPZQBsJ
— Mason Short (@MasonShort_) November 14, 2022
The 6-foot-7, 280-pound Short is considered the 28th-best prospect nationally and the third-best offensive tackle per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He holds 14 Division I offers thus far, including from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee.
