The Hurry-Up: Prospects Jai’mier Scott, Javon Hammonds Jr., Javier Etheridge, Jake Cook and Preston Carey Confirm Spring Visits to Ohio State

As the first practice on March 7 draws nearer, more and more recruits are confirming their visits to Columbus to observe OSU practices. Over the weekend, five prospects posted they’d be taking spring visits to Columbus, including four in-state prospects and one high-profile out-of-state recruit in the 2026 class. 

We’ll delve into each visitor below. 

In-state prospects Jai’mier Scott, Javon Hammonds Jr. and Javier Etheridge set for March 9 visit

The in-state trio of Jai’mier Scott, Javon Hammonds Jr. and Javier Etheridge will visit OSU for its second spring practice on March 9. 

I will be back at Th Ohio State University march 9th!! @N_Murph pic.twitter.com/wdkh76vsER

— Javon JJ Hammonds jr (@hammonds_javon) February 18, 2023

Ill be at @OhioStateFB on March 9th @CoachTimWalton @bzdebski @Bill_Kurelic #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/iuWpGDKdy1

— jaimier scott (@JaimierScott) February 20, 2023

I will be at THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY march 9th @CoachTimWalton @OSUCoachHinton @bzdebski @OhioStateFB @alexgleitman @Bill_Kurelic @CoachJMStevens pic.twitter.com/wEetFL9muw

— Javier JayJay Etheridge (@thatzJayjay_) February 20, 2023

Scott, a defensive back, visited OSU in December for a bowl practice and then later in January. The 6-foot-1, 177-pound class of 2025 prospect does not hold an OSU offer, but has picked up 12 Division I offers in total. Those offers include Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, Akron, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, UMass, Miami (OH), Pittsburgh, Toledo and Western Michigan. Scott is a prospect that could be on offer watch this spring or later this summer. As a sophomore for Mt. Healthy, the Cincinnati product made 51 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble while scoring 11 total touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Hammonds and Etheridge are both 2024 prospects, so they’ll be worth closely following over the next few months as they hope for an OSU offer. 

Hammonds is a 6-foot-5, 230-pound defensive end at Wayne, a former teammate of OSU freshman offensive lineman Joshua Padilla. A three-star prospect on 247Sports, Hammonds holds 10 Division I offers, including from Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Indiana, Kent State, Massachusetts, Ohio, Purdue, Toledo and Western Michigan. Last season, Hammonds racked up 85 tackles (21 for loss) and 10 sacks.

Ethridge, the high school teammate of Scott, had a breakout junior season as a two-way player, playing wide receiver and cornerback. The 5-foot-10, 156-pound standout caught 45 passes for 705 yards with nine total touchdowns offensively. Defensively, he made 55 tackles (2 for loss) with one sack, one forced fumble, two interceptions and five pass deflections. He’s picked up 12 Division I offers thus far, including Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Massachusetts, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Toledo, West Virginia and Western Michigan. 

Jake Cook and Preston J. Carey visiting March 25

Westerville North offensive lineman Jake Cook, a frequent visitor to Ohio State, will make another trip to Columbus on March 25. Cook made several visits to OSU last season, including games against Rutgers and Indiana. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound prospect has picked up 11 Division I offers thus far, including Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Marshall, Massachusetts, Miami (OH), Toledo, UNLV and Western Michigan. 

Pumped to be visiting The Ohio State University Saturday, March 25th! #GoBucks @CoachJFrye @CoachSollenne @ryandaytime @Bill_Kurelic @Jacksonville8 pic.twitter.com/2y2R8obr7V

— Jake Cook (@CookJake52) February 18, 2023

“I got to talk with coach (Justin) Frye and coach (Mike) Sollenne for a little bit,” Cook told Eleven Warriors after the Rutgers game. “They just broke down on what I need to work on and what they see in me. Their big thing on me is they see me as an interior guy at either guard or center. Coach Frye wants me to keep playing how I’ve been playing and work on my hand placement on pass pro and getting that punch off quicker instead of letting them come into me a little more.” 

Meanwhile, Preston Carey is one of the fastest-rising defensive linemen in the 2026 class. He’s expected to meet with Ryan Day and Larry Johnson on his visit on March 25, and the 6-foot-5, 285-pound New York prospect is very likely on offer watch.

I am meeting with Coaches @R2X_Rushmen1 and @ryandaytime at @OhioStateFB on March 25. Cant wait for the visit!
:@Andrew_Ivins @JeremyO_Johnson @ChadSimmons_ @BrianDohn247 @MohrRecruiting @RivalsFriedman @samspiegs @SWiltfong247 @CraigHaubert @TomLuginbill @neilsika https://t.co/cFaBA1YYqh pic.twitter.com/c4qNUHiOEt

— . (@PrestonJCareyPJ) February 19, 2023

He’s picked up 13 Division I offers thus far, including Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Western Carolina and Western Illinois. In nine games for St. Anthony's (East Northport, New York) last season, Carey racked up 57 tackles (3 for loss) with a sack. 

Malachi Toney teases wearing OSU logo on helmet

Another standout American Heritage High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) wide receiver is flirting with the Buckeyes. Florida prospect Malachi Toney, the former teammate of OSU signee Brandon Inniss, sent out a tease on social media Sunday hinting at what team’s logo he’d be repping on his helmet this season. 

Yall messing with the sticker ? pic.twitter.com/zQPNJgi6lb

— Malachi Toney (@MALACHITONEY2) February 20, 2023

Toney was the third player OSU offered in the 2026 class, as he picked up his offer on Nov. 26 after he accompanied Inniss on a visit to Columbus for the Michigan game. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound prospect had a standout freshman season alongside Inniss, catching 35 passes for 621 yards with eight touchdowns.