A BUCKEYE BASHING
Ohio State conquers Chicago with a 31-7 beatdown of Northwestern at Wrigley Field.
A top 100 prospect in the 2025 class was at a loss for words following his Ohio State visit Tuesday.
Tennessee tight end Eli Owens made the trek to Columbus for the first time as a recruit and didn’t leave disappointed.
“The visit left me speechless,” Owens told Eleven Warriors. “I was amazed at everything they had to offer. I thought coach Ryan Day was a really down-to-earth guy and believes what he says. I loved the way coach (Keenan Bailey) coached. They said I was a versatile player and they really liked that, they could see me playing on the field anywhere at any time when they really needed me which was cool.”
At the end of the visit, Owens picked up an OSU offer from Day and Bailey. After picking up the OSU offer, Owens said OSU immediately has lept within his top three schools.
After an outstanding visit, Im beyond blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University!!!!! @CoachKee @NCEC_Recruiting @NatlPlaymkrsAca @supermax100_ @alcoafootball @scoop1914 @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/O9GndS7tg4
— Eli Owens (@Eli_Owens19) March 21, 2023
“I just have to say the coaching,” Owens said on the most appealing thing about potentially playing for the Buckeyes. “Everybody at Ohio State has coached the best and will continue to, so why not go get coached by them?”
Owens said he and Bailey have communicated a few times before getting the offer Tuesday but enjoyed meeting him in person on the visit.
“Just what he’s been able to do so far at his age and his coaching style is everything you want,” Owens said. “He’ll sit down and he’ll coach you but he’s not afraid to tell you what you did wrong or get in your face or yell at you because he wants you to be the best you can possibly be.”
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Owens plays both linebacker and tight end for Alcoa High School (Alcoa, Tennessee), but the Buckeyes are primarily focused on Owens’ ability at tight end. Last season, Owens caught 45 passes for 501 yards with six touchdowns while averaging 11.1 yards per catch.
“From what I got, I’d say they were more focused on me playing tight end and maybe an H-back type of role,” Owens said. “But I think they were hinting more towards an H-back, motion in the backfield type of (a role for me). Their offense is as close to an NFL offense as you get, what else could you ask for?”
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Owens is considered the 71st-rated player in the 2025 class. He’s picked up 14 Division I offers, including Alabama, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Owens said he plans on returning to Columbus for Ohio State’s spring game on April 15, wants to make a visit in June to partake in an OSU recruiting camp and also attend a game at Ohio Stadium later this fall.
Justin Hill earns OSU offer
Ohio State has offered another talented prospect from Winton Woods.
The Buckeyes offered 2025 linebacker Justin Hill on Thursday after Hill and several of his teammates visited Columbus to watch spring practice.
BLESSED to have received an OFFER from THEE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!!! #GoBucks #BuckeyeNation @ryandaytime @CoachJimKnowles pic.twitter.com/1vUNFtyCBR
— Justin J-Hill Hill (@justinnn10k) March 23, 2023
Hill is the seventh linebacker OSU has offered in the 2025 class and the first from Ohio. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound linebacker has picked up 12 Division I offers, including Boston College, Kentucky, Marshall, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, Toledo and West Virginia.
In 10 games last season for Winton Woods, Hill made 42 total tackles (10 for loss), racked up 5.5 sacks, five pass deflections, an interception and a defensive touchdown.
OSU currently has two Winton Woods players on the roster in running back Miyan Williams and cornerback Jermaine Mathews. Mathews, who played with Hill last season, was particularly excited his former high school teammate picked up the offer.
ME RIGHT NOW ! https://t.co/bkak1F03fW
— Jermaine Mathews Jr (@Jr2Maine) March 23, 2023
Max Anderson puts OSU in his top eight
An Ohio State offensive lineman target for the 2024 class has narrowed down his recruitment. Four-star Texas offensive lineman Max Anderson released a top eight on Thursday consisting of Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.
Top 8 wheres home? pic.twitter.com/GbmQyUx0Bv
— (@MaxAnders0n1) March 23, 2023
Anderson is considered the 199th-best player and 13th-rated tackle in the 2024 class. Michigan, who just landed the commitment of Ohio offensive lineman Ben Roebuck on Wednesday, is considered the favorite for the 6-foot-5, 300-pound prospect.
