Ohio State’s top remaining target in the 2024 class is ready to make a decision.
Five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton will announce his commitment on Thursday, though an exact time for the announcement has yet to be formalized.
OSU was the last school to host Seaton on a visit last weekend, with the 6-foot-5, 287-pound prospect releasing a final seven of Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee, Colorado, Maryland and Florida last month.
Of those schools, OSU, Tennessee and Oregon are the teams standing out the most a day before his commitment. The Volunteers seem to be surging the most as of late, but there’s a degree of uncertainty surrounding his recruitment that will only be answered when he makes his commitment public. Of course, in the NIL era, the school that secures his commitment will likely still wait to see his signature on a National Letter of Intent on Dec. 20 before celebrating.
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Seaton is considered the 15th-best prospect and the top-rated offensive tackle in 2024.
Four-star 2025 WR Kaliq Lockett offered by OSU
With the recruiting dead period lifted on Friday, Ohio State coaches have been hitting the road all week with hopes of finishing off the 2024 class and also looking ahead to the 2025 cycle. Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline stopped in at Sachse High School (Sachse, Texas) on Tuesday to meet with four-star 2025 wide receiver Kaliq Lockett. After a conversation, Lockett was offered a scholarship to Ohio State by Hartline.
Wow I am extremely blessed to receive a offer from THE Ohio State University! @brianhartline @N_Murph @OhioStateFB @SachseStangs @MikeRoach247 @SWiltfong247 @samspiegs @DSwan7 @CoachRoland77 @RivalsCole @adamgorney pic.twitter.com/gPS7XbRYZY
— Kaliq (@KaliqLockett) December 5, 2023
“Man, it’s THE Ohio State,” Lockett told Eleven Warriors of his offer. “Do I really need to say too much? Ohio State is known for putting guys in the NFL at multiple positions and known for being successful outside of football. It’s just a blessing to be offered by Ohio State. You have to understand, man, I’m pumped.
“(Coach Hartline) basically told me that I have what it takes to be a receiver at Ohio State. He loves my film and loves my personality. And I love his personality as well, he’s a great, great guy.”
Lockett said OSU had been on his radar for a while, as he and Hartline started talking a few months ago. Tuesday was a special day for Lockett picking up the scholarship offer, though, considering the track record of the Buckeyes at producing NFL-caliber wide receivers.
“Ohio State is known for putting receivers in the NFL consistently,” Lockett said. “Not just every two or three years, but consistently. And not in the second or third round, in the first round. Plus Marvin Harrison Jr., all of us know he’s the perfect NFL prototype and build. I think I can make my name into one of those big names, like Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. or Emeka Egbuka.”
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Lockett is considered the 93rd-best prospect and the 11th-ranked wideout in the 2025 class. He’s picked up nearly 20 Division I offers, including LSU, Michigan, Arizona State, Florida, Louisville, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Penn State, TCU, Texas Tech, USC and Utah.
“Ohio State was one of the offers I’ve been waiting for,” Lockett said. “Ohio State is high (on my list) right now, but there’s a lot of recruiting being done and I have a long time before I make my decision. Ohio State will definitely be up there though by the time my decision is made.”
Lockett said he doesn’t have any commitment timeline set as of yet, but would like to release a top schools list in the near future. He said OSU “most definitely” would be included on that list.
In his junior season, Lockett racked up 1,300 receiving yards on 59 catches with 13 touchdowns in 11 games, primarily as an outside receiver with his 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame.
“To me, I can play anywhere on the field,” Lockett said. “I’ve gotten a lot of comparisons to (Dallas Cowboys wideout) CeeDee Lamb. I feel like he and I play the same, but he operates in the slot a lot, more than me, but I can play slot too.
“My confidence is definitely a big part of my game, I believe I can make big plays. I believe my deep ball ability is the best in the country in my opinion. Once the ball is in the air, it’s going to take more than two people to take it away from me.”
Lockett said he’s eyeing visiting Ohio State for the first time later this spring.
“I’ll definitely be in Columbus for sure, that’s not even a question,” Lockett said. “I want to be able to see how their receivers operate, what the practice looks like and how coach Hartline coaches for myself, just so I can determine if Ohio State is a school I really want to go to.”
Ryan Day making in-home visits to OSU commits
Hartline wasn’t the only Ohio State coach out on the road recruiting this week. Ryan Day made in-home visits to at least two OSU commits this week, checking in on Miles Lockhart and Payton Pierce.
Always great having the big man stop by! @ryandaytime pic.twitter.com/gqOenl6wlh
— Payton Pierce (@payton_pierce26) December 6, 2023
My Guys !! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/YUHmSTnCQy
— Miles Lockhart (@MilesLockhart1) December 6, 2023
