One of Larry Johnson’s top emerging pass rushing targets in the 2025 class put on a show in Columbus on Thursday.
Four-star Georgia prospect London Merritt already held an offer from the Buckeyes since January, but the 6-foot-3, 230-pound prospect was determined to visit Columbus and workout with Johnson, so he attended Ohio State's most recent recruiting camp.
Top-60 2025 prospect London Merritt working out with Larry Johnson. pic.twitter.com/HHXYhuzM5r
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) June 15, 2023
“It was great. We came out here and got some great work in,” Merritt told Eleven Warriors. “Coach Johnson talks a lot about hips, you have to have great bend and he’s one of a kind of a coach. I like him a lot. I still have a lot to learn.”
Johnson offered Merritt personally a few months back and since then, he’s spoken highly of the Buckeyes.
“It was great, growing up I always loved Ohio State,” Merritt said of the offer. “I’m still in awe ever since that day. Now I just have to keep working and maybe if I choose to come here, earn a spot my freshman year. I always loved Ohio State’s color and uniforms.”
Merritt, a Georgia prospect, said he’s heard great things about the Buckeyes secondhand from former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields’ mother, who works with Merritt’s father. The defensive end prospect said Fields is one of his favorite players to watch, though he’s never met him.
“His mom puts a good word in about Ohio State,” Merritt said. “Every time I saw him on TV he was right there, and now he’s in Chicago. I’m rooting for him.”
Last season at Woodward Academy (Atlanta, Georgia), Merritt racked up 33 tackles (6 for loss), with nine sacks and six quarterback hurries to accompany two pass deflections, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
“I’m athletic, and I’m fast, with great hands and strong off the edge,” Merritt said of his game. “I can play a little bit of linebacker and drop back in the zone.”
Thursday was Merritt’s second visit to Ohio State, and it likely won’t be his last. The top-60 prospect in 2025 said the Buckeyes are among his top schools at the moment.
“It’s great, OSU is huge,” Merritt said. “I want to keep coming back. I like it a lot. Ohio State is up there (on my list). They’re probably up there at the top. I’ll probably come back pretty soon.”
Devin Sanchez, Adrian Wilson to visit OSU Tuesday
Some premier talent in the 2025 class will make its way to Columbus on Tuesday.
Five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez will make another Ohio State visit, though it’s unclear whether he’ll just hang out on campus for an unofficial visit or partake in the Buckeyes’ recruiting camp workouts.
I will be at The Ohio State tomorrow.@CoachDuHart @CoachTimWalton @Coach_Eliano @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/mu84OAQMWG
— Devin Sanchez (@Devin2416) June 19, 2023
Four-star wide receiver Adrian Wilson is also expected to be on campus, and considering he doesn’t hold an Ohio State offer as of yet, he’s a good bet to participate in the camp.
Deontae Armstrong challenges Michigan offensive linemen to paintball competition
We already know Ohio State’s offensive linemen commitments in the 2024 class will take on Michigan on the gridiron several years from now, but if Deontae Armstrong has his way, they’ll be challenging the Wolverines in a different type of competition all together.
Armstrong offered a playful jest to Michigan offensive lineman commitment Ben Roebuck, his current high school teammate at St. Edward, when Michigan offensive line commit Jake Guarnera tweeted Roebuck was hiding in the back during a paintball competition on Michigan’s Victor’s weekend.
Yeah it was @Benroebuck75 hiding I seen it myself
— Deontae Armstrong (@DeonArmstrong30) June 19, 2023
After a bit of banter back and forth, Armstrong offered a paintball competition between Ohio State’s offensive line commits and Michigan’s offensive line commitments at a neutral location.
my guys vs. ur guys paintball neutral location
— Deontae Armstrong (@DeonArmstrong30) June 19, 2023
While this is (unfortunately) probably a long shot to happen, I’m sure a great deal of fans from both sides of the rivalry would watch a paintball matchup between the two teams.
Out numbered but we expect a few early quitters @IanMoore2024 @marcnavejr @Devontae_440
— Deontae Armstrong (@DeonArmstrong30) June 19, 2023
