Texas 2025 safety Jonah Williams was caught slightly off guard on Wednesday.
He didn’t expect Ohio State safeties coach Perry Eliano to extend him an offer, and wasn’t sure if he’d be offered by a school with OSU's prestige in the first place. But when the offer from Eliano came, he was grateful.
“It was very exciting,” Williams told Eleven Warriors of receiving his OSU offer. “I didn’t think it would come, but it came and I’m very grateful for it. Coach Eliano said he liked the way I played and thinks I would be a good fit for the team’s defense. Ohio State is a big college, and that’s crazy. A small-town kid possibly going to a big college like that, that’s crazy.”
#AGTG After a great conversation with @Coach_Eliano I am blessed to receive an offer from The Ohio State University!! Praise God #HCville #gobuckeyes pic.twitter.com/YRoquU2ljY
— Jonah Williams (@JonahW409) February 22, 2023
With the offer in hand, a visit to OSU is soon on the horizon for the Texas product.
“I plan on visiting OSU in March or April,” Williams said. “Whenever I can squeeze it in, because I also play baseball.”
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound playmaker played both ways for Ball High School (Galveston, Texas), also lining up as a wide receiver. Ohio State is primarily interested in his talents on the defensive side of the ball, though, as Ball recorded 59 tackles (3 for loss) with four interceptions, two pass deflections and a forced fumble in 11 games last season. Offensively, he caught five passes for 183 yards and five touchdowns. He was also the team’s primary punt returner, amassing 306 return yards.
“I take a lot of pride in being a two-way player,” Williams said. “Defensively, my coverage (is my best attribute). I’m long and lengthy, so it’s easy to get glued to receivers because my legs are long.”
Williams does not hold a composite ranking from 247Sports as of yet and has 10 Division I offers. Those offers include Arizona, Colorado State, Houston, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech and the University of Texas San Antonio.
“A place that feels like home is important,” Williams said regarding the biggest factors in his recruitment. “I want to go to a school that makes me a better man day in and day out. I hope to find a home soon.”
OSU offers Florida RB commit Chauncey Bowens
Ohio State has expanded its recruiting board for running backs in the class of 2024. Running backs coach Tony Alford offered four-star running back Chauncey Bowens Thursday, who currently is a verbal commit to Florida.
Extremely blessed and honored to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University ! @EricKresser @CoachTonyAlford @Andrew_Ivins @SWiltfong247 @adamgorney @RWrightRivals pic.twitter.com/rngHIYwWXC
— Chauncey Bowens (@chauncey_333) February 23, 2023
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Bowens is considered the 292nd-best prospect and 23rd-ranked running back in the 2024 class. He committed to Florida on Sept. 18.
In nine games for The Benjamin School (North Palm Beach, Florida) last year, Bowens ran for more than 1,100 yards and scored 11 rushing touchdowns. The Buckeyes are set on taking two running backs in the 2024 cycle, and are primarily focused on the likes of Jordan Marshall, Sam Williams-Dixon, James Peoples and Stacy Gage at the moment, but things could be interesting if Bowens takes a visit to OSU in the future.
Marcelles Williams to visit Ohio State April 1
One of the top-ranked cornerbacks in the 2024 class will be taking a spring visit to Columbus. Four-star California prospect Marcelles Williams confirmed he’d be making the trek back to OSU on April 1 on Wednesday.
Ill be at Ohio St April 1st!! @CoachTimWalton @ryandaytime @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/yX8km8kkMo
— Marcelles Williams (@cellesthegreat1) February 22, 2023
Williams has long been a target of OSU, picking up an offer after a recruiting camp in June of 2021. In his junior season at St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California), Williams racked up 46 tackles, two interceptions and four pass deflections.
