Ohio State’s spring practices may be over, but there’s still plenty to delve into on the recruiting front from over the weekend.
In the past few days, the Buckeyes have extended two offers to 2025 prospects and had two 2024 targets put them on their top schools list. We’ll delve into each storyline below.
Taz Williams Jr. earns Ohio State offer
Four-star 2025 Texas wide receiver Taz Williams Jr. had a productive visit to Ohio State on Friday, leaving Columbus with an offer.
#AGTG WOWW!! Beyond blessed to receive an offer from THEE Ohio State University!!!! #Buckeyes #GoBucks @ryandaytime @brianhartline @OhioStateFB @rohawksfootball @SkysTheLimitWR @TrueBuzzFB @210ths @tOSUFootball pic.twitter.com/CWDl9wrGDL
— $ (@Taz_1x) April 21, 2023
Williams, the seventh receiver Ohio State has offered in the 2025 class, is considered the 211th-ranked prospect and 29th-best wideout in the cycle per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
The 6-foot, 175-pound prospect has more than 30 Division I offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Colorado, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and West Virginia.
Kelvion Riggins picks up Ohio State offer
Kelvion Riggins was the second prospect to pick up an Ohio State offer on Friday, as the four-star Texas linebacker became the 12th linebacker offered by the Buckeyes in the 2025 cycle.
The 6-foot, 205-pound linebacker visited Columbus on April 1 and picked up the offer after defensive coordinator Jim Knowles extended it himself on Friday.
4-star Texas linebacker @KelvionR "hype" after landing an #OhioState offer (VIP via @Bill_Kurelic)https://t.co/GjeCYSw3kn pic.twitter.com/haelCvqsGs
— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) April 22, 2023
Riggins is considered the 227th-ranked prospect and the 24th-rated linebacker in the 2025 class. He’s picked up 30 Division I offers, including Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado, Florida, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and USC.
Last season, Riggins recorded 55 tackles (12 for loss) with 4.5 sacks.
Taylor Tatum puts Ohio State in Top Seven
In addition to Williams, Ohio State had a productive visit with four-star Texas running back Taylor Tatum over the weekend. Tatum, making his first trip to Columbus since being offered by the Buckeyes on Jan. 17, told 247Sports he enjoyed his experience in Columbus.
Enjoyed my unofficial visit at The Ohio State University @OhioStateFB. I appreciate the hospitality from the coaches and staff.@CoachTonyAlford @ryandaytime @longviewgameday @CoachRLarkin #Buckeyes #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/ZQDu0kKZOm
— Taylor Tatum (@taylortatum06) April 23, 2023
“It went real good with coach Ryan Day,” Tatum told 247Sports. “It was good to see him and talk to him in person. I know he is a great coach and off the field I got to know him. We talked for about an hour and 30 minutes.”
Tatum added he talks with running backs coach Tony Alford around three to four times per week and plans to take an official visit in June. Following his visit to Columbus, Tatum released a top seven schools list consisting of Ohio State, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas, USC and Michigan.
Where should I go??? https://t.co/4itbIJFeXt
— Taylor Tatum (@taylortatum06) April 24, 2023
Ohio State has two running backs committed in the 2024 class in James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon. However, that would not stop it from taking another high-profile running back, a bill that Tatum fits being a top-35 prospect nationally.
In 2022, Tatum helped lead Longview High School (Longview, Texas) to a 14-1 record. In 13 games, he ran for 1,840 yards on 206 carries (8.9 yards per carry) with nine 100-yard rushing performances and 33 rushing touchdowns. He added 12 receptions for 160 yards and three touchdowns on the receiving end, giving him more than 2,000 all-purpose yards.
Zaquan Patterson Places Buckeyes in Top Five
An Ohio State safety target in the 2024 class has narrowed down his recruitment. Four-star Florida safety Zaquan Patterson released a top five on Monday: Ohio State, Florida State, Michigan, Miami and Auburn.
Final 5 its been a great process cant ask for a better 5 @Hayesfawcett3 @Dameon8 @CoachManny13 pic.twitter.com/sHNhluw5Dh
— zaquan patterson (@PattersonZaquan) April 23, 2023
“Ohio State is just a great school in my opinion,” Patterson told On3 of Ohio State. “Mostly because I have seen the players’ development firsthand. Also, coach (Perry) Eliano is a great guy that makes me feel like I can be developed by him, comparing me to guys like Sauce (Gardner).”
Patterson is the high school teammate of Ohio State wide receiver commit Jeremiah Smith. On Monday, Smith advocated for Patterson to join him in Columbus.
Yk where home is https://t.co/KP2gHjpM1S
— Jeremiah Smith (@Jermiah_Smith1) April 23, 2023
In his junior season, Patterson recorded 69 tackles (1.5 for loss), two interceptions, seven pass deflections, a fumble recovery and four blocked punts.
