It may be an off week for Ohio State on the gridiron, but the coaching staff’s recruiting efforts have certainly picked up on the recruiting trail.
On Monday, Ohio State special teams coach Parker Fleming stopped at Brunswick School to check in on 2025 targets Ethan Long and Matty Augustine, who were in attendance for the Buckeyes’ victory over Notre Dame in South Bend.
Thank you to @ParkerFleming_ of @OhioStateFB for taking the time to stop by Brunswick today! pic.twitter.com/FqoFpu5uFY
— Coach McGillicuddy (@Coach_Wayne55) September 25, 2023
Tight ends coach Keenan Bailey was a busy man Monday, stopping at Lakota West to visit four-star 2025 tight end Luka Gilbert, Mount Healthy for Ohio 2025 defensive back Jai'mier Scott and Winton Woods for 2025 linebacker Justin Hill.
Thanks @CoachKee & @OhioStateFB for stopping by today to check in on our guys!
— Winton Woods HS Football (@Winton_WoodsFB) September 25, 2023
pic.twitter.com/dg8vIQzlHL
Thank you @CoachKee for stopping by @LakotaWestFB yesterday! #OhioAgainstTheWorld pic.twitter.com/lJAm4E3aHT
— Luka (@luka_gilbert) September 26, 2023
Thank you @CoachKee and @OhioStateFB for coming to check out Mt. Healthy Football today! Blessings! #WANTMORE pic.twitter.com/GSjWfGcOxZ
— Jordan Stevens (@CoachJMStevens) September 26, 2023
Cornerbacks coach Tim Walton took a trip down to Texas to see top priority five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez on Monday. Sanchez is expected to visit Ohio State for the Buckeyes’ game against Penn State on Oct. 21.
Two new offers also went out this week, which we’ll dive into below.
Landon Rink picks up an Ohio State offer
In addition to stopping at Sanchez’s school, Walton visited Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Texas, to get some facetime in with four-star defensive lineman Landon Rink. While Walton appeared in person, defensive line coach Larry Johnson offered Rink on a phone call later that evening.
Extremely blessed to announce that I have been offered by The Ohio State University @R2X_Rushmen1 @CoachTimWalton @ryandaytime @Perroni247 @adamgorney pic.twitter.com/KK4n060szF
— landon rink 4 (@landonrink) September 25, 2023
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Rink is considered the 289th-best prospect and the 31st-rated defensive lineman in the 2025 class. He’s picked up 22 Division I offers thus far, including Texas, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor, Duke, Kansas, Miami, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, TCU, Texas Tech and USC.
In four games this season, Rink has collected 17 total tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry. Last season, he recorded 50 tackles (15 for loss), 3.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a blocked punt.
Cameron Miller earns offer from Buckeyes
Ohio State also offered four-star 2025 New Jersey defensive back Cameron Miller on Tuesday, who’s considered the 299th-best prospect and the 28th-ranked cornerback in the cycle.
Miller has earned 21 Division I offers, including Boston College, Duke, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Extremely blessed to announce that I have been offered by The Ohio State University @CoachTimWalton @ryandaytime @adamgorney @chillbelton @RivalsFriedman @BrianDohn247 @winslowtwpfb @ChadSimmons_ @SWiltfong247 pic.twitter.com/PHMlqBjrv5
— Cameron Miller (@Miller2Cam) September 25, 2023
In five games this year, Miller has recorded 15 tackles (one for loss). Last season, he recorded 38 tackles and a pass deflection.
Reggie Powers decommits from Michigan State
A former Ohio State safety target is back on the market, as Ohio four-star safety Reggie Powers decommitted from Michigan State on Tuesday following Mel Tucker’s firing.
Thank you MSU Staff and Fans for all the love and support. After much consideration with my family I have decided to re-open my recruitment. I appreciate you all. Go Green! https://t.co/v4CHAvwdHs
— Reggie Powers III (@reggie_powers) September 26, 2023
Speculation immediately ensued regarding whether Ohio State may try to get back in the recruitment of Powers, who was offered by the Buckeyes last spring. But for now, there appears to be only minor interest in the Centerville standout from the Ohio State end, per a source with knowledge of the situation.
The Buckeyes only have one safety committed in the 2024 class in New Jersey prospect Jaylen McClain, but they’re hoping to find a prospect more equipped to play free safety, which wouldn’t align with how Powers would likely be utilized as a nickel.
Things can change, but for now, it would seem that the Ohio product will be headed elsewhere.
Tyler Atkinson puts out top 10
Ohio State’s first-ever offer from the 2026 class has started to narrow down his recruitment. Five-star Georgia linebacker Tyler Atkinson released a top 10 on Wednesday consisting of Ohio State, Tennessee, Auburn, Texas, LSU, North Carolina, Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and Alabama.
Where will I be #AtkNup at@CoachSB_4theG@JeremyO_Johnson @kirk_barton @Hayesfawcett3 @jeffsentell @GeorgiaFootball @FSUFootball @AlabamaFTBL @ClemsonFB @OhioStateFB @LSUfootball @UNCFootball @TexasFootball @AuburnFootball @Vol_Football @RTRnews @Rivals @247Sports @On3sports pic.twitter.com/vbBPFzcRWh
— Tyler Atkinson (@Tyler16Atkinson) September 27, 2023
Ohio State offered Atkinson when he was still just an eighth grader, and the Georgia product was still one of the best prospects on campus during the 2022 OSU recruiting camp circuit. Atkinson told Eleven Warriors in August he and his family are looking at visit dates for Ohio State and hope to attend a game in Columbus sometime this season.
“I had a lot of interest (in Ohio State) because my favorite player is Chase Young. He's like a guy I really look up to,” Atkinson said last June. “He does everything. He can drop back in coverage, and he can cover. I mean, he can rush the passer from everywhere. So me getting offered at the school that Chase Young played for, that's very good.”
Tiqwai Hayes commits to Penn State
In an expected outcome, four-star Pennsylvania running back Tiqwai Hayes opted to stay home on Monday, committing to Penn State.
They say the best in Pa stay in Pa !!!! pic.twitter.com/MLmOhFsWyU
— tikey (@Tiqwaihayes) September 26, 2023
Hayes had an Ohio State offer, though he wasn’t as big a priority target as other running backs for the Buckeyes this cycle, including Marquise Davis, Bo Jackson, Jordon Davision and Tory Blaylock. Hayes is the fifth commit for Penn State in the 2025 class and the second running back, joining Kiandrea Barker.
