One of Ohio State’s defensive end targets for the 2024 class relished his Ohio State visit last weekend.
Four-star Illinois prospect Marquise Lightfoot was blown away by what he saw on the practice field while attending OSU’s scrimmage on Saturday and his conversations with defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
“I thought my Ohio State visit was perfect,” Lightfoot told Eleven Warriors. “Larry Johnson, I truly believe he’s not just selling me a dream, I have no doubt if I go down there and put in the work, then I’ll no doubt become one of his projects that’s he worked on like Chase Young, Nick Bosa and Joey Bosa.”
Appreciate the Buckeyes for showing much love on my visit @OhioStateFB #buckeyes #OhioState
— Marquise Lightfoot (@MarquiseL01) April 1, 2023
*Posting on IG @7.quise* pic.twitter.com/cxrbYsaUlR
Lightfoot said he and Johnson communicate between three to four times per week.
“We keep in touch a lot,” Lightfoot said. “He’s very open about how much I’m a priority to him. He’s said he likes how I’m versatile and have a relentless motor, he likes his defensive ends long and big. He also likes I have a little rawness to me, he says it leaves a little room for him to coach and be open about who he wants on his field.”
Lightfoot watched Saturday’s scrimmage and called the OSU defensive ends “intense” in practice.
“You can tell they’ve been coached by coach Johnson,” he said.
Saturday was Lightfoot’s first visit to OSU since picking up an offer from the Buckeyes on Jan. 17.
“It was great, Ohio State is probably one of the biggest schools to me,” Lightfoot said of picking up his OSU offer. “Every time Ohio State plays Michigan, I always root for Ohio State. They were just always my team when I was younger. All of my coaches that have coached me were Ohio State fans too so I grew up around that culture.”
In 11 games for Kenwood Academy (Chicago, Illinois) in 2022, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Lightfoot racked up 122 total tackles (15 for loss), nine sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, four pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
“My relentless motor to the ball,” Lightfoot said of his strongest on-field attribute. “When you watch my film, you always see me chasing after the ball carrier and making tackles on the other side of the hash. That’s what really stands out when you watch my film.”
Lightfoot said he’s considering returning to OSU for the spring game and potentially a game in the fall. OSU is also likely to receive one of Lightfoot’s five official visits this summer or fall as well. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound prospect said he’d like to make a college decision before the start of his senior season, but isn’t setting a hard deadline for a commitment.
“I want to be committed before the season starts, but if I’m not ready, there’s no sweat about it. I would say how I’ll be coached is important to me.”
Jeremiah McClellan puts OSU in top 12
One of Ohio State’s top wide receiver targets in the 2024 class has narrowed down his recruitment. On Monday, four-star Missouri product Jeremiah McClellan put out a top 12 schools list featuring Ohio State, LSU, Mizzou, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, Notre Dame and Florida.
Where should I go @Hayesfawcett3 @Rivals_Clint @ChadSimmons_ @AllenTrieu @SWiltfong247 pic.twitter.com/mDLjLMNdY9
— Jeremiah Mcclellan (@jay_mac2481) April 3, 2023
McClellan visited OSU last weekend, and momentum has certainly seemed to shift toward OSU landing the talented wideout, as a 247Sports Crystal Ball projection has been cast in favor of the St. Louis-based wideout ending up at OSU.
Terrance Moore includes Buckeyes in top 13
McClellan wasn’t the only 2024 wideout to include the Buckeyes in a top schools list Monday. Four-star Florida prospect Terrance Moore released a top 13 schools list consisting of Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, Texas A&M, LSU, Florida, Auburn, Penn State, Colorado, Tennessee, USC, Miami and Pittsburgh.
Wheres Home?!? https://t.co/BDgiD1WC0A
— (@tjmoore305) April 3, 2023
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Moore is considered the 240th-best prospect and the 36th-ranked wide receiver in the 2024 class. In 11 games for Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Florida) in 2022, Moore caught 42 passes for 1,021 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. He also ran for 155 yards on three carries with two rushing touchdowns.
