Wednesday was a big offer day for Ohio State.
In Wednesday’s Hurry-Up, we wrote about seven offers in total, with six defensive linemen receiving offers and one running back. Shortly after the article was published, three more prospects announced Ohio State offers, including two more defensive linemen and a running back in the 2024 class.
We’ll delve into those three offers first.
Sam Williams-Dixon
After visiting Ohio State multiple times last season, the three-star Ohio prospect has finally earned his offer from the Buckeyes after a standout junior campaign.
After a great talk with @CoachTonyAlford I am proud to announce that I have an offer from THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!!!!!!!!!!!! @MickWalker247 @OhioStateFB @Birm pic.twitter.com/EjxbGR5mav
— Samuel Dixon (@SamuelDixon24) January 12, 2023
Williams-Dixon is the second running back from Ohio in the 2024 class to receive an OSU offer, with four-star Cincinnati running back Jordan Marshall being the other. Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Williams-Dixon is considered the 537th-best prospect and 40th-ranked running back in the 2024 cycle.
He’s picked up 14 Division I offers this far, a list that includes Ball State, Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Tennessee, Toledo and West Virginia.
The 5-foot-11, 203-pound Williams-Dixon made a trip to Columbus in December to visit for a bowl practice, and also attended the Buckeyes’ season opener against Notre Dame. In Williams-Dixon’s junior season, he ran for nearly 1,300 rushing yards and scored 41 touchdowns while adding 500 receiving yards. As a sophomore, Williams-Dixon scored 35 touchdowns.
Aydin Breland
Larry Johnson offered another top-100 prospect in the 2024 class by extending an offer to four-star California defensive lineman Aydin Breland. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Breland is ranked as the 79th-best player and the 11th-best defensive lineman in the 2024 class.
Extremely blessed and grateful to say Ive received an Offer from the University of Ohio State #GoBucks @R2X_Rushmen1 @OhioStateFB @adamgorney @GregBiggins pic.twitter.com/YsAr9tWRWl
— Aydin Breland (@AydinBreland) January 12, 2023
Breland has picked up 13 Division I offers including Michigan State, Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Kansas, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas A&M, USC and Washington.
In 10 games for Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) this season, Breland made 24 tackles (10.5 for loss) with four sacks, three quarterback hurries and four pass deflections.
Jayden Jackson
Jackson was the second defensive lineman from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) to receive an offer from Ohio State Wednesday, with five-star prospect David Stone being the other. Unlike Stone, the 6-foot-2, 290-pound Jackson does not hold a composite ranking yet, but his stock continues to rise after receiving offers from Tennessee and the Buckeyes on the same day.
After having a great conversation with the dline coach @R2X_Rushmen1 Im truly blessed to be givin an opportunity to play at my dream school @OhioStateFB. I want to thank the coaches who have given me this opportunity. I also want to thank god and my mother for everything. #OH pic.twitter.com/o8L3AYFlbJ
— Jayden Jackson (@JaydenJackson65) January 11, 2023
He has nine Division I offers total, also including including Penn State, Tennessee, California, Central Michigan, Colorado, Duke, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt.
Christian Bentancur, Jaylen Heyward to announce commitments
Two recruits with Ohio State offers will be making their college decisions Friday.
Four-star tight end Christian Bentancur will announce his decision at 1:30 p.m. and choose from a top three of Ohio State, Oregon and Clemson. As a junior for Marian Central Catholic (Woodstock, Illinois), Bentancur racked up 54 receptions for 1,058 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. His sophomore season might have been even more impressive, as he caught 53 passes for 1,165 yards with 16 receiving touchdowns.
He visited OSU on Sept. 3 for the season opener against Notre Dame.
“Ohio State’s offense was explosive and exciting to watch,” Bentancur told Eleven Warriors after the game. “They moved the tight end a lot and it was crazy to see the atmosphere at the game.”
Heading into his decision day, Clemson is the likely favorite to land Bentancur.
Four-star safety Jaylen Heyward will follow with a decision at 2:30 p.m. from a final four of Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and Florida on Thursday.
Final Four!! Wheres ? @Andrew_Ivins @SWiltfong247 @247Sports @BFBaumgartner @RyanCallahan247 @CoachYounger14 @TRONE2 @RockFootball1 pic.twitter.com/YtOxLUja9F
— Jaylen Ap Heyward (@Jayasii) January 12, 2023
Considering Heyward has yet to visit Ohio State, it’s unlikely the Buckeyes will win this recruitment in the end. Heyward’s choice is likely to be Georgia or Florida.
