In the summer of 2022, Connecticut 2025 offensive lineman Matty Augustine camped in Columbus with the sole intent of getting better, knowing an offer likely wasn’t in the cards for him.
One year and more than 20 pounds later, the 6-foot-7, 260-pound offensive lineman dominated at Ohio State’s recruiting camp on June 14. Augustine had grown tremendously as a player thanks to a tenacious work ethic, and with a little help from his former high school teammate at Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut: Ohio State freshman offensive lineman Miles Walker.
Augustine had several interactions with Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye before this year’s camp while at his high school when Frye came primarily to recruit Walker, but getting coached by him this summer was a different experience.
“I went to an OSU camp last year, but I was a little scrub, I was 6-foot-5, 240 pounds,” Augustine told Eleven Warriors, clearly having a different definition of scrub than this writer. “Coach Frye still knew who I was because of Miles and was helping me through it. But this year being the player I am now, he was definitely more hands-on. He was harder on me and wanted to challenge me and see how quickly I could pick up his coaching points. I learned a lot, especially with the pass set stuff.”
By the end of the day, Augustine had impressed Frye and OSU coach Ryan Day enough to earn an offer from the Buckeyes.
After a great camp and conversation with @ryandaytime, I am excited to announce I have received an offer from THE Ohio State University. @Wick_Football_ @Coach_Wayne55 @CoachLett10 @Coach_SSStan @CoachJFrye @CoachSollenne @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/VBEL8832oG
— Matty Augustine (@augustine_matty) June 14, 2023
“It was amazing,” Augustine said. “Watching football every Saturday, I didn’t know that this was possible. I didn’t think even Group of Five offers was possible, but getting under Miles’ wing two years ago and getting a new coach, they both set me up for a successful path. I can’t thank them enough and the smile hasn’t come off my face since I’ve heard the news.”
Walker was one of the first people to hear about his former teammate’s offer, a moment that was special for the pair of them.
“In my sophomore season, we really started to click,” Augustine said of his relationship with Walker. “That spring, he started to blow up, so since about March of 2022, I’ve been under his wing completely. Not only seeing the person he’s developed into, but seeing him go through the recruiting process, I’ve been able to ask him questions. He’s been an amazing brother to have and a guide to have through this process.”
Augustine said he and Walker have spoken specifically about Ohio State.
“He loves it,” Augustine said. “He definitely thinks it was a brutal wakeup for him. He went into college midyear right into winter workouts and he told me nothing will ever prepare you for these winter workouts. He’s told me a lot of stuff about Ohio State, and he taught me some stuff he learned (in college) that I was able to use at my camp.”
Lil bro https://t.co/yPGtpLWC2W
— Miles Walker (@mileswalker76) June 14, 2023
Augustine wasn’t the only Brunswick School product offered that day by OSU, though, as the Buckeyes also offered 2025 safety Ethan Long at the same time.
“It’s amazing,” Augustine said. “I’ve known Ethan for only about a year now, but just being on the same couch in the same office receiving our biggest offers yet, we looked at each other and smiled because we knew we’ve been grinding together for the last year. Getting an Ohio State offer feels amazing, to get it with my brother sitting right next to me was great. We were both so proud of each other.”
Augustine doesn’t hold a 247Sports composite ranking as of yet, but he has more than 15 Division I offers, including Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Penn State. At the camp, he also more than held his own against top-50 2025 prospect Zahir Mathis, a defensive end.
Top-40 overall 2025 DE Zahir Mathis reps against 2025 OT Matty Augustine, who has multiple P5 offers, at OSU camp: pic.twitter.com/IoaCw8KfEU
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) June 14, 2023
Augustine said he’s appreciative of the OSU offer and hopes to be back in Columbus for a game later this fall.
Dior Garner visiting OSU July 28
A three-star Ohio defensive line prospect in the class of 2025 has confirmed an Ohio State visit. Canton prospect Dior Garner plans on attending the Buckeyes’ BBQ get together on July 28, an event OSU brought back after a one-year hiatus since OSU preferred to have big-name prospects of varying classes attend its season opener against Notre Dame instead.
I Will be at The Ohio State University July 28th! #GoBucks @R2X_Rushmen1 @CoachJimKnowles pic.twitter.com/RZLM1CpRc8
— Dior Garner 25 (@DiorGarner) July 14, 2023
Garner, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound prospect holds an offer from Bowling Green, but has received interest from the Buckeyes, Michigan, Kentucky, Pittsburgh and West Virginia.
ICYMI from earlier this week
- Jeremiah Smith Surpasses Dylan Raiola to Become the Nation’s No. 1 Recruit in Updated On3 Industry Rankings
- Connecticut 2025 Safety Ethan Long Called Getting an Ohio State Offer "A Blessing"
- Five-Star Ohio State 2025 CB Commit Jontae Gilbert to Visit Ohio State for Western Kentucky Game, May Attend Penn State Matchup in October
- Five-star 2024 Wide Receiver Joshisa Trader Commits to Miami
