In the arms race of wrestling recruiting, Penn State is the clear front-runner.
However, Ohio State is certainly doing their best to close the gap as they earned a verbal commitment from Top 20 upperweight Gavin Hoffman on Saturday.
Hoffman became the first wrestler from Montoursville, Pennsylvania to win two state titles, and the incoming senior in the Class of 2018 has another season to fill the program's record book with his name. Hoffman is within striking distance of his brother Garrett's school record of 167 career wins after a junior season where he went 42-1.
I am excited to announce that I have decided to continue my athletic and academic career at The Ohio State University. Go Bucks! pic.twitter.com/3YnnjaPt4p
— Gavin Hoffman (@gavinhoffman_) May 27, 2017
Gavin joins Grove City Central Crossing's Jaden Mattox as Buckeye verbal commits in the Top 20 of the Class of 2018. Hoffman finished his junior season sixth in InterMat's rankings at 195.
Hoffman has shown that he isn't afraid of a little competition with an NHSCA Junior Nationals title and runner-up finishes at the Cadet National freestyle tournament and the Super 32 Challenge.
Hoffman projects as a 197 lb wrestler, and will have time to develop in the practice room with guys like Kollin Moore, Myles Martin, and Kyle Snyder.
