Saturday was a life-changing day for Centerville 2024 safety Reggie Powers III.
Powers, a three-star recruit, spent his day in Columbus on a visit to Ohio State, taking in the Buckeyes’ first scrimmage of the spring. At the end of the visit, he received what he’s wanted for years: An offer from the Buckeyes, the team he grew up rooting for.
After a great visit I am very blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University! Thank you @ryandaytime @Coach_Eliano @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/MxUmxtMhhd
— Reggie Powers III (@reggie_powers) March 25, 2023
“We're super excited for him," Centerville head coach Brent Ullery told Eleven Warriors Tuesday. "A peak behind the curtain, we knew the Ohio State offer was the one he really wanted. He had his eyes on that growing up and everything, and he'd love the opportunity to be a Buckeye. I know he was excited, I talked to him afterward, and we were just as excited as him.”
It was an emotional moment for a prospect that rarely doesn’t have a smile on his face, according to those that know him best.
“His first reaction, emotion, whatever I would say was appreciation,” Ullery said. “Like he was nothing but appreciative and thanking all of his coaches and everything for the help and helping him reach this point. And he was super grateful for everyone that's poured into him. So it's very mature of him to handle it that way.”
Powers does not hold a 247Sports composite ranking but is considered the 99th-rated safety in the 2024 class per the recruiting network’s individual ratings. Regardless of his recruiting ranking, however, the Buckeyes' coaching staff of Perry Eliano, Ryan Day and Jim Knowles all believe Powers can thrive at the next level.
"They've all loved him," Ullery said of Ohio State's coaching staff. "Even coach Day, we've talked to coach Day about him before and they all love him. They don't have any doubt that he's a big-time Power-Five level player. They like the way he plays the game of football, and I think they like he's kind of a little bit retro throwback, where he's a little less finesse and a little more physicality. They love all the attributes that he brings and the dynamic football player that he is. He could fill roles and special teams. He can fill roles on offense if needed. He's really dynamic. He kind of lets them play with multiple cards in their hand."
At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Powers has the frame to play a sort of hybrid safety-linebacker role that assists in the box within Jim Knowles’ defense if Ohio State chooses to utilize him that way. Currently, Powers is in Florida for spring break on vacation, but it wouldn’t be terribly surprising to see him make a decision sooner rather than later. If that happens, it would likely be good news for the Buckeyes.
Xavier Jordan picks up an Ohio State offer
Ohio State has offered another top-150 wide receiver in the 2024 cycle. Four-star California prospect Xavier Jordan earned an Ohio State offer on his visit to Columbus Monday, as he met with Brian Hartline, Ryan Day and Corey Dennis.
After a great convo with @ryandaytime Ive received a scholarship to play at Ohio State University #gobuckeyes@brianhartline @CoreyDennis_ @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/ty2Mva6uwD
— Xavier Jordan (@XavierJordan011) March 27, 2023
Last season for Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California), Jordan hauled in 83 receptions for 1,626 yards and 20 touchdowns. He’s considered the 110th-best prospect and the 19th-rated wideout in the 2024 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Jordan has picked up 17 Division I offers thus far, including Arizona, Boston College, Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, Oregon, Syracuse, UNLV, USC, Utah and Washington.
Peyton Lewis to visit Ohio State on Thursday
James Peoples won’t be the only high-profile running back visiting Ohio State this week. Four-star Virginia running back Peyton Lewis confirmed to Eleven Warriors Tuesday he’ll be making the trek to Columbus Thursday for a visit.
Lewis will definitely be on Ohio State offer watch this week, as he’s considered the 324th-best prospect and 30th-ranked running back in the 2024 cycle. He’s picked up 27 Division I offers thus far, including South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, NC State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Last season for Salem High School (Salem, Virginia), Lewis ran for 1,560 yards and 17 touchdowns while also returning kicks and punts.
