The Hurry-Up: Four-star 2025 Tight End Eli Owens Appreciated His Gameday Visit to Columbus and Says Ohio State is "High" on His List, Recruits React to Maryland Visit

By Garrick Hodge on October 9, 2023 at 5:30 pm
Eli Owens
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One of Ohio State’s priority tight end targets in the 2025 class was on campus Saturday for another visit, and he came away impressed by what he saw.

Four-star Tennessee prospect Eli Owens had made several trips to Ohio State before, including spring and summer visits, but wanted to experience a gameday atmosphere at Ohio Stadium. He wasn’t disappointed. 

“I thought overall it was a good visit,” Owens told Eleven Warriors on Sunday. “Getting to see what the fan environment would be like was really important. I already know all the coaches and know what the coaches want from me, so it’s not like you go in there expecting more from them with them already having done all they can do. Getting to see what the fans would do, how they interact and stay in the game, is really cool.” 

Owens attended an Ohio State game where Cade Stover caught two passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. The Tennessee tight end said he’s been impressed with the Buckeyes’ usage of tight ends in the passing game all season. He also likes how they’re deployed as blockers.

“I thought Cade had a great day,” Owens said. “Him being as versatile as he is, they’re able to use him in the passing game. It calls to how useful he is as a player but also shows that anybody who’s good enough to be a Cade Stover-like tight end at Ohio State is going to produce amazing numbers. At the end of the day, the main goal is to get drafted. I think Cade has proved himself this year.

“Starting out, I think Ohio State would use me as a lot more like the role that Gee (Scott Jr.) has. But I could eventually grow and become 6-foot-4 or 6-5, so only time will tell. Either way, I think I can use my versatility to my advantage.” 

Owens said he briefly spoke with Keenan Bailey on his visit, which was mostly a conversation of exchanging pleasantries. The pair have a strong relationship, as Ownes estimates he and Bailey talk every week. 

“A lot of the time, we’re just checking up on each other and seeing how the family is doing on both sides. We’ll keep up a good friendship and not always talk about too much football because there comes a point where you can talk too much about football. It’s good to get to know somebody as a man and a person, which is just as important.” 

Owens had the opportunity to work with Bailey when he attended one of Ohio State's recruiting camps in June, an experience that he appreciated. 

“It was great. When it gets down to the thick of it, you’re going to have to play for a coach that you want to play for,” Owens said. “You’re going to have to play for a coach where you enjoy the coaching style they come to practice with every day. Just being able to go to camp is the main factor in identifying that in seeing the way I’d be coached if I went to Ohio State has probably been the most important thing out of everything I’ve done so far.” 

Owens said he’s hoping to release a top eight in the not-too-distant future and has the Buckeyes “very high” on his list in his recruitment. He has his eyes set on making a decision between May and June and will likely revisit Columbus before he commits. 

The 6-foot-2, 243-pound product is among Ohio State’s top tight end targets in the 2025 class, with the Buckeyes probably looking to take two for a second consecutive class. Other top tight end targets include Nate Roberts, Emaree Winston and Luka Gilbert.

Recruits react to Ohio State visit

Owens wasn’t the only recruit in attendance for Ohio State's 37-17 win over Maryland on Saturday. More than two dozen other visitors appeared on Ohio State’s campus, with some posting photos of their visits to their Twitter profiles. We’ve rounded up some of their reactions below.

OSU recruits/staffers react to Jayvan Boggs commitment 

In case you missed it, Ohio State landed its first wide receiver commit in the 2025 class on Monday with the commitment of three-star Florida wideout Jayvan Boggs. Boggs joined Ohio four-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair as the two commitments in the Buckeyes’ 2025 recruiting class. 

Following the news, several Ohio State staff members, commits and prospective targets took to Twitter to celebrate the news of Boggs’ commitment. We’ve compiled a few of their reactions below.

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