A four-star Illinois 2024 wide receiver was among several notable recruits in attendance for the Buckeyes' 56-14 win over Indiana on Saturday.
Chicago athlete I’Marion Stewart made his first gameday visit of the fall to Ohio State last weekend and relished the experience in Columbus. With 18 Division I offers, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Oregon and Penn State, among others, he hopes to add an Ohio State offer to his sheet later down the line.
“I mean, it’s The Ohio State University,” Stewart told Eleven Warriors of his visit. “I definitely was blessed with the opportunity to check out The Shoe, the culture and the program. I’ve always been interested in Ohio State.”
Blessed for the pportunties, good visit at The hio State @OhioStateFB @CoachJohnnyi @brianhartline @ParkerFleming_ #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/NWaPIS6uyd
— IMarion_Stewart (@IMarion_Stewart) November 14, 2022
According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, Stewart is considered the 261st-best prospect in the 2024 cycle. While Stewart visiting Columbus probably shows at least some mutual interest from both parties, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound playmaker likely isn’t at the top of OSU’s board just yet, as the Buckeyes remain in earnest pursuit of the likes of Jeremiah Smith, Tyseer Denmark, Mylan Graham, Micah Hudson, Jeremiah McClellan, Joshisa Trader and more.
But the relationship between Ohio State and the Illinois prospect is undoubtedly worth monitoring in the future, as Stewart said he intends to be back in Columbus soon.
“I look forward to visiting in the spring,” he said.
Cornist reportedly considering attending Michigan game
Following the decommitment of Mark Fletcher on Wednesday evening, Ohio State is suddenly in need of another running back in the 2023 class, possibly two. The Buckeyes have already started reaching out to running backs in the current class with designs on getting them to the Michigan game on Nov. 26, such as Louisville commit Rueben Owens. Alabama commit Justice Haynes, along with uncommitted three-star Georgia prospect Jamarion Wilcox, are also prospects that will likely hear from Tony Alford and company now that the need for a tailback is glaring in 2023.
Another option is 2023 three-star Ohio running back Trey Cornist, who had an outstanding senior season at Winton Woods, where he rushed for 1,629 yards on 181 carries and scored 27 touchdowns. Following his breakout year, Cornist earned offers from Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Kansas State, Purdue, Toledo and more. The 5-foot-11, 209-pound running back is visiting Michigan State this weekend and is considering a visit to Ohio State for the Michigan game, per 247Sports.
Should Cornist, who has already visited OSU several times this season, be offered by OSU, the Cincinnati prospect will have an intriguing decision on his hands if he wants to take a similar journey to Winton Woods alum Miyan Williams and join his high school teammate Jermaine Mathews in Columbus.
College Teammates ? pic.twitter.com/fWv8nRyBoa
— Jermaine Mathews Jr (@Jr2Maine) November 17, 2022
Cook enjoys second gameday visit to Columbus
Stewart wasn’t the only prospect that enjoyed his visit to the Indiana game. Ohio 2025 offensive lineman Jake Cook made his second gameday visit of the fall to OSU on Saturday, his first since attending Oct. 1 for the Rutgers game.
The Westerville North offensive lineman was impressed by what he saw from Ohio State’s running game and push up front.
Thank you @OhioState for another great visit! @CoachJFrye @CoachSollenne #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/rhCdJ5Swkf
— Jake Cook (@CookJake52) November 13, 2022
“My visit was great,” Cook told Eleven Warriors. “I loved watching them have fun and play as a team. The offensive line did great in the run game. I talked with coach (Justin) Frye a lot throughout the day, and he wants me to come to the Michigan game.”
With the Michigan game visit a possibility for Cook, he expects OSU coaches to visit him in the offseason as he continues to work toward an Ohio State offer.
“Coach Frye and coach (Mike) Sollenne love that I wrestle, and they want to come to watch me in a match this winter,” Cook said.
