Ohio 2027 offensive lineman Reed Gerken grew up an avid Ohio State fan and made it a priority to watch the Buckeyes every Saturday.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Gerken has attended several Ohio State games with his family as a fan in his lifetime, but Saturday’s contest against Western Michigan was his first time experiencing Ohio Stadium as a recruit.
“It was a great experience, I’m extremely grateful for it,” Gerken told Eleven Warriors. “The biggest takeaway was Ohio State has a great atmosphere. That night game was extremely fun. My parents and I both enjoyed it and we all had a great time.”
Had a blast in the Shoe last night! Once again big thanks to @etwill21 for the invite and the great hospitality last night. Can't wait to be back and I'm forever greatful.@CoachJFrye @CoachSollenne @ryandaytime @N_Murph @parkerwereb8 pic.twitter.com/MpWSJ9pvzG
— ReedGerken (@ReedGerken) September 8, 2024
The last game Gerken can remember attending at Ohio State was the Buckeyes’ eventual defeat against Oregon in 2021. Saturday’s contest was a much better outcome, as OSU looked like a machine in its 56-0 win over WMU.
“It was completely different,” Gerken said of his time at OSU as a recruit compared to a fan. “It was great how Buckeye nation was treating us and stuff like that. All of the fans were saying what’s up to us and that meant a lot. The coaches want to show you the atmosphere and the fans are also buying into it as well. How loud they get during night games on third down, I thought it was something really cool.”
Gerken spent time with Carter Lowe on the visit and said he and the OSU offensive line commit have formed a close relationship. He also spoke at length with Justin Frye and graduate assistant coach Mike Sollenne on the trip.
“I learned a lot from coach Frye and coach Sollenne,” Gerken said. “They were giving me some pointers after watching the first two weeks of my film and they just want to see me get better. (Coach Frye) was talking to me about my stance and saying he wants to see me a little more relaxed in my stance because I’m a little too low. When I go to kickstep I am leaning too far backwards which can allow penetration inside. So he was telling me to be a little more relaxed and that should help.”
Gerken has five Division I offers, all from MAC schools at this point in his recruitment, but the Perrysburg High School left tackle may be emerging as one of the top linemen in the state for the 2027 cycle. He hopes to impress any college interested in him as a player over the next year with his play, but he’d be very grateful for an offer from OSU.
“It would mean a lot,” Gerken said. “Going from growing up as an Ohio State fan watching them every Saturday to getting an offer from them, it would be a dream come true. I’d be extremely grateful for it.”
Gerken said he feels more confident in his ability entering his sophomore year and expects to let his play do most of the talking for him.
“I’d say I’ve really gotten better at my aggression and physicality, whether it’s a down block or an out block I’d say,” Gerken said of his on-field game. “Compared to my film from last year I’d say I’m a lot more aggressive and have that mean factor to me now. I’m not a freshman anymore and I want to show these colleges that I can get the job done.”
Zavion Griffin-Haynes commits to North Carolina
Recruiting has many ebbs and flows, doesn’t it? A few weeks ago, four-star 2026 North Carolina defensive end Zavion Griffin-Haynes publicly named Ohio State as the leader in his recruitment. On Sunday after visiting North Carolina, Griffin-Haynes committed to the in-state Tarheels.
IM HME ! @UNCFootball @CoachMackBrown @TedMonachino @molly_jacoby @__alexwhite @dbernstein_ @CoachMonachino @CoachCollins @CoachCwarren @CoachLindsey @RRACKLEY9 @RamsFootballNC @kev_red52 @julianrowecohen pic.twitter.com/4r1FmF9wyJ
— Zavion Griffin-Haynes (@ZavionGH) September 8, 2024
Chris Henry Jr. remains Ohio State’s lone commitment for the 2026 class, and the Buckeyes hope to start adding more to that cycle soon. But even with Griffin-Haynes figuratively off the board, it’s early enough in the process that Larry Johnson and company could press for a flip if they really wanted to.
Prep highlights from OSU commits over the weekend
Ohio State’s commits had no shortage of highlight-worthy plays from the weekend in their prep contests, so we went ahead and rounded some up.
- Five-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn
— Riley Pettijohn (@r_pettijohn) September 7, 2024
- Five-star 2026 wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. Side note, unfortunately, Henry Jr. was injured in Friday's game with a hyperextension of his knee, so best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Jump ball for Chris Henry Jr. you know what that means @ChrisHenryJr
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) September 7, 2024
The Ohio State commit and ESPN Jr. 300 No. 2 prospect is unguardable in the end zone
pic.twitter.com/zuhHoCvJJS
- Four-star running back Bo Jackson
Vikings 20
— VASJ Vikings Athletics (@VASJVikingsAD) September 6, 2024
Tygers 0
0:25 1st qtr
Bo Jackson 16 yrd TD run; extra point good Paul Kilroy pic.twitter.com/eFpvddGAAo
- Four-star wide receiver Quincy Porter
Quincy Porter with a 56-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-4 for Bergen Catholic. pic.twitter.com/c5FLk5AG6X
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) September 6, 2024
- Five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez
Ohio State CB commit Devin Sanchez with a pass break up in coverage. #GoBucks @Devin2416 pic.twitter.com/ne5C2ISNCh
— Greg Powers (@GPowersScout) September 7, 2024
- Four-star defensive end Zahir Mathis
The Bucksye Zahir Mathis with the big sack on fourth down. @TepFootball takes over at their 30 with 4:25 in the third @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/tZl2cPjAZr
— Noah Stomsky (@NStomsky) September 7, 2024
- Four-star defensive end London Merritt
IMG EDGE London Merritt (@OhioStateFB commit) runs down the RB from the backside@merritt_london @IMGAFootball pic.twitter.com/WVxuugX2oo
— Jon Santucci (@JonSantucci) September 7, 2024
- Four-star tight end Nate Roberts
Washington double OT win 27-24 @creed_barrett pic.twitter.com/V4UH9pG5hB
— Nate Roberts (@nateroberts2025) September 7, 2024
- Four-star wideout De'zie Jones
Ohio State commit De'zie Jones hits Minnesota commit Grant Grayton with a double move. stream is choppy sadly. pic.twitter.com/VL8PussYjF
— solvingfootball (@solvingfootball) September 6, 2024
- Four-star safety DeShawn Stewart
Ohio State commit DeShawn Stewart with a hard hit over the middle pic.twitter.com/jeK79b9tOz
— solvingfootball (@solvingfootball) September 7, 2024
- Four-star defensive tackle Jarquez Carter
