One of Ohio State’s 2024 linebacker targets is considering taking an official visit to Columbus in the spring or summer.
Four-star California linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa told Eleven Warriors Monday night that Ohio State is one of the schools meriting consideration for one of his five officials.
“Nothing lined up for sure, but maybe to get back up there for an official,” Viliamu-Asa said of his visit plans.
Viliamu-Asa, considered the 80th-best overall prospect and the seventh-best linebacker in the 2024 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings, visited OSU earlier this year for the Buckeyes’ season opener against Notre Dame.
“I had a great time and I was definitely looking forward to seeing the game environment because this was the first time I had been to a game out there,” Viliamu-Asa told Eleven Warriors of his trip after the visit. “Also a first look at the new defense to see how I would fit. But I like the way Knowles uses his backers and the defense definitely has a lot of speed.”
Viliamu-Asa is one of several linebackers Ohio State is targeting this cycle, with other options including Sammy Brown, Aaron Chiles, Kristopher Jones, Edwin Spillman and newly offered Payton Pierce.
Max LeBlanc picks up OSU offer
Ohio State offered three new recruits over the weekend, one in each of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes. Tuesday, the Buckeyes made their first offer of the week, as new tight ends coach Keenan Bailey extended an offer to Tennessee tight end Max LeBlanc.
After a great conversation with @CoachKee , I am blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University @ErikKimrey @BaylorSchoolFB pic.twitter.com/jCuxO1CDn6
— Max LeBlanc (@MaxenceLeblanc5) January 24, 2023
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound LeBlanc does not hold a 247Sports composite ranking but does hold 19 Division I offers. Some schools that have offered include Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Colorado, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Missouri, NC State, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, UCF, UNLV, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.
Last season for Baylor High School (Chattanooga, Tennessee), LeBlanc caught 39 passes for 695 yards and three touchdowns. He was often utilized as a wide receiver, lining up primarily in the slot and on the outside. On running plays, LeBlanc was also deployed in a traditional tight end position on the line of scrimmage and used as a run blocker.
Brian Hartline, Tony Alford visit Jordan Seaton Tuesday
Newly minted Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline and running backs coach Tony Alford were back on the road Tuesday and made it a point of emphasis to check in on the Buckeyes’ highest-priority interior offensive line target, four-star Washington D.C. product Jordan Seaton. Hartline and Alford visited Seaton’s high school, St. John’s. The 6-foot-5, 287-pound prospect made no secret about it publicly that he was excited about the visit.
NOW WE JUST GIVING IT AWAY #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/lugefGkx7h
— Jordan Seaton (@JordanSeaton_) January 24, 2023
Seaton visited OSU in November for the Michigan game and also made a trip to Columbus in April for the Buckeyes’ spring game. He called his gameday experience a “very eventful visit.” OSU is considered a favorite to land Seaton, a top-50 overall prospect in the 2024 class. If he eventually joins the class, he’d be paired alongside offensive tackle Ian Moore, giving Justin Frye two top-60 prospects in the cycle.
Michael Smith commits to South Carolina
As expected, Ohio State was not the school of choice for four-star Georgia 2024 tight end Michael Smith. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound prospect announced his commitment to South Carolina at a ceremony at his high school on Tuesday.
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— Michael Smith (@ayeemikee1_) January 24, 2023
IM HOMEEED pic.twitter.com/fVy8lH02Jc
Other uncommitted tight ends Ohio State has offered this cycle include LeBlanc, Damarion Witten, Kylan Fox, Brady Prieskorn, Walter Matthews and Jaden Reddell.
