Ohio four-star 2025 tight end Luka Gilbert has built a strong relationship with Ohio State over the past few months.
The 6-foot-8, 233-pound Lakota West tight end visited Columbus in June for a camp to workout with tight ends coach Keenan Bailey, then returned on July 28 for Ohio State's SummerFest recruiting event to continue to form relationships with the coaching staff and fellow recruits.
“Back at the camp, it was a lot of drills and learning techniques,” Gilbert said after his July 28 visit. “But (the July visit) was more like building relationships with the coaches and some of the players I might be playing with in a few years. You never know.”
More visits should be on the horizon for the in-state product, as Gilbert says he plans on getting to “a couple of home games” at Ohio State this fall, though he doesn’t have dates set in stone yet.
In the meantime, Gilbert will open his junior season on Friday when Lakota West takes on St. Xavier. He hopes to apply the skills he sharpened this summer and carve out a fruitful season for himself in the 2023 campaign.
“I think I got a lot better on my route running and catching. Obviously, I’ve been working a lot on it,” Gilbert said. “I’ve been working on it three days a week with a private trainer outside of practice, and I’ve been working on blocking sleds, so I think I’m trying to perfect every single aspect of the game.”
Nate Roberts decommits from Notre Dame
One of Ohio State’s top tight end targets in the 2025 cycle is back on the market. Four-star Oklahoma prospect Nate Roberts decommitted from Notre Dame on Tuesday, putting the Buckeyes back in the race for his recruitment.
I have made the decision to decommit from the University of Notre Dame. I want to thank Coach Freeman, Coach Parker, and Chad Bowden for the opportunity, and wish them and the Fighting Irish the best going forward. https://t.co/trrcVYYU7j
— Nate Roberts (@nateroberts2025) August 15, 2023
Roberts was offered by Ohio State tight ends coach Keenan Bailey in May and visited Columbus in June. It’s believed the Buckeyes and Oklahoma Sooners are two of the schools pursuing Roberts the heaviest with his recruitment back open.
“Coach Bailey came out and saw me during spring ball, and that means a lot to me,” Roberts told Eleven Warriors of Ohio State in June. “Just when we first met each other, I felt something between us and felt we could really do something together. I feel like he really wants me to get better and he can really coach me. He showed a lot of interest in me and I have a lot of interest in him.”
In Roberts’ sophomore year at Washington High School (Washington, Oklahoma), he helped lead his team to a 17-0 record and a state title while catching 33 passes for 705 yards with 11 receiving touchdowns. He split his time 50-50 between lining up in-line and out wide.
Bear Tenney puts Ohio State in top 12
If you’re wondering if we’re only writing about 2025 tight ends in this Hurry-Up – well, you’re damn straight we are.
Ohio State 2025 tight end target Bear Tenney put out a top 12 list on Monday consisting of Ohio State, Auburn, Colorado, Michigan, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and USC. Tenney, the high school teammate of OSU 2024 linebacker commit Payton Pierce, also said his commitment was coming “soon.”
Top 12! Commitment Coming Soon... @AuburnFootball @CUBuffsFootball @UMichFootball @OhioStateFB @GeorgiaFootball @LSUfootball @oregonfootball @PennStateFball @Vol_Football @TexasFootball @Utah_Football @uscfb pic.twitter.com/YTRG2voMo5
— Bear Tenney (@BearTenney) August 15, 2023
Ohio State offered Tenney in June of 2022 and attended the Buckeyes’ season-opening win against Notre Dame.
“I loved how Ohio State used their tight end in the offense,” Tenney said after the visit. “They had him playing everywhere, in the slot, outside running routes or hand in the dirt. They really utilized him.”
