One of Ohio State’s top targets at linebacker in the 2024 class has confirmed he plans on making another visit to Columbus.
Four-star Virginia linebacker Kristopher Jones told Eleven Warriors Wednesday he plans on taking an official visit to OSU later this year, most likely in the summer, though he is still working on setting a specific date with the Buckeyes’ coaching staff. A spring visit to OSU isn’t likely for Jones considering he’s been to Columbus multiple times and wants a chance to visit other schools over the spring semester.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound top-100 prospect nationally last visited OSU on Nov. 26 for the Michigan game and appreciated his experience at Ohio Stadium.
“My visit to Ohio State was great,” Jones said after the visit. “It was my third time up there, and every time, they impress me. “I mostly talked to coach Koy McFarland throughout the trip, and I talked to coach Jim Knowles (on Sunday. He told me with the athletic ability I have and the system he has in place, I could make an immediate impact on the defense.”
Jones first picked up his OSU offer in June after attending a recruiting camp in Columbus and impressing defensive coordinator Jim Knowles in individual drills.
Simpson-Hunt impressing at All-American Bowl practices
One of the highlights of Ohio State’s 2023 signing class was landing four-star Texas cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt, though the Waxahachie product has flown slightly under the radar despite being a top-100 prospect nationally. Part of that may stem from Simpson-Hunt rarely doing interviews. But in the first two days of practices leading up to the All-American Bowl Saturday, Simpson-Hunt has been among the top performers.
In individual drills, Simpson-Hunt won a number of his one-on-one matchups, and created some highlight-worthy plays. Considering that Ohio State has shown a tendency to give true freshman cornerbacks a shot on the field in recent years with Denzel Burke and Jyaire Brown earning starts, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him on the field for the scarlet and gray sooner rather than later.
Big morning continues for #OhioState CB Calvin Simpson-Hunt breaking up this downfield pass to Malachi Coleman. A lot of speed out there. pic.twitter.com/pxexp4qKa2
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 4, 2023
Ohio St signee Calvin Simpson-Hunt has been sharp all week, especially Day 2 @LettermenRow https://t.co/BeLdmmPKSg pic.twitter.com/q5liqturUa
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) January 4, 2023
Ohio State cornerback signee Calvin Simpson-Hunt (@CSimpsonHunt) showcasing why no one throws the ball his way. pic.twitter.com/CLtFgiSwd4
— Matt Parker (@MattParkerLR) January 4, 2023
Waxahachie CB and Ohio State signee Calvin Simpson-Hunt (@CSimpsonHunt) with a 1v1 win. @CoachDT_TFB | @NDNFootball pic.twitter.com/OYDgZpgiyB
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) January 4, 2023
#OhioState CB Calvin Simpson-Hunt in coverage pic.twitter.com/Ur13phvHPI
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 4, 2023
Ohio State corner signee Calvin Simpson-Hunt in coverage during @AABonNBC team drills. pic.twitter.com/FJhE3n1g7a
— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) January 3, 2023
In his senior season for Waxahachie, Simpson-Hunt helped lead his team to a 10-3 record en route to racking up 33 tackles (2 for loss), four interceptions and a fumble recovery that he returned 94 yards for a touchdown. Simpson-Hunt was committed to Texas Tech earlier this summer before later flipping to Ohio State shortly after his official visit. While checking in to the All-American Bowl earlier this week, Simpson-Hunt opened up to 247Sports about his decision to flip from the Red Raiders to the Buckeyes.
“That was a real difficult decision,” Simpson-Hunt told 247Sports. “It came down to one day of doing nothing but straight thinking about where I wanted to go. I just sat down and thought about all the factors. It really came down to where the family was, where it feels (like family). That’s really what it came down to.”
Marsh to visit OSU this summer
A top-55 prospect in the 2025 class that visited OSU earlier this year has confirmed he will make a return trip in the coming months.
Four-star Texas wide receiver Andrew Marsh told Eleven Warriors he’ll be visiting OSU this summer as he hopes to earn an Ohio State offer. Marsh visited Columbus on Nov. 12 earlier this fall for the Indiana game, where snow flurries took over the first half.
“The visit was good, but cold,” Marsh said after his visit. “I was not expecting that. I initially have been talking to Coach Cass but at the game I was able to talk to Coach Day and Coach Hartline. During the conversation, both asked if I could see myself playing there and if I could stand playing in the cold. All of the recruiting team was nice. Sunday, I had a more in-depth time there. I was able to see the football facility and meet with different departments. The place is huge. I see that everything is up-tempo. Talking to coach, I learned about the style of play for their receivers and their expectations of all players. This visit made a lasting impression on me and I will be back.”
Marsh is considered the 52nd-best prospect and 13th-best wide receiver in the 2025 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings. The 6-foot, 160-pound receiver has 14 Division I offers, including from the likes of LSU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Michigan State, Baylor and Arizona. In his sophomore season, Marsh caught 53 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games.
