Despite predictions of a demise, recruiting at Ohio State is just fine under Ryan Day thank you https://t.co/StRRqVoXVE
— BuckeyesWire (@BuckeyesWire) July 7, 2019
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and staff have been absolutely tearing it up on the recruiting trail over the last couple months and now sit at a total of 21 verbal commitments for the 2020 class. While that doesn’t leave a ton of room for too many more targets to make their way to Columbus, there are still some big fish out there.
Ohio State brought only 17 freshman to campus last year, and while four transfers came in to push that number up, the reality is that there will likely be a lot of losses this year — allowing for a bigger class than we’ve seen in the past.
So while there might be some managing of the scholarships needed, the Buckeyes will take the big names if the interest is mutual. And that’s the important thing to remember here. Just because there are offers doesn’t mean Ohio State is still hot on the trail. On that note, here are the five biggest legitimate targets remaining for the 2020 recruiting cycle.
No. 5 – Kourt Williams, OLB
2020 California four-star linebacker Kourt Williams has Ohio State in his Top 5. Took his official visit with the Buckeyes last weekend. https://t.co/ZvBLEs7HBZ
— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) June 28, 2019
Williams is one of those West Coast kids that have shown interest in the Ohio State program this year. Early on, it looked like UCLA had the upper hand, but the crystal ball projections on 247Sports continue to trend more and more in the direction of the Buckeyes.
Some Buckeye commits have been working him hard and there’s a real belief now that Ohio State is the leader in the clubhouse at the moment. There’s no date set for a commitment, but the sense is that the 6-1, 216 pounder who is rated as the No. 12 outside linebacker in the country will make a decision sooner rather than later.
Prediction: Ohio State
No. 4 – Jaylan Knighton, RB
Ohio State 2020 4-star RB target Jaylan Knighton sets decision date –https://t.co/cQDc1mmdEt via @buckeyewire #GoBucks
— Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) July 11, 2019
The Buckeyes have yet to secure a running back in the 2020 class, and it would dearly love to bring in at least two top-level backs to put a cherry on top of what’s shaping up to be a fantastic class. Knighton is rated as the No. 3 all-purpose back and 108th overall recruit in the country according to 247Sports.
Despite some interest from some of the top backs in the country the last couple of months, some of those relationships have cooled and Ohio State has stepped away somewhat. Knighton is not one of those. He too continues to trend the Buckeyes way, and it appears the feeling is mutual. It’ll likely be between Ohio State, Florida State, and Miami for the Florida product and things are looking good for the Buckeyes.
He has set a decision date of July 30.
Prediction: Ohio State
No. 3 – Bijan Robinson, RB
Ohio State 5-star RB target Bijan Robinson to announce college choice soon https://t.co/7qK9t88R7s
— BuckeyesWire (@BuckeyesWire) July 9, 2019
Robinson is another kid from out West and a teammate of already committed defensive-back Lathan Ransom. He seems to be the most likely back of those in the top five that are gaining momentum. Many recruiting services believe that he’ll be a Buckeye when it’s all said and done, and we won’t have to wait long as he’s set to announce on August 2..
Ranked as the No. 4 running back and 22nd overall recruit in the class, he’s a top priority for the Buckeyes right now. Frankly, with all the information that’s out there, it would be a pretty major shock if he didn’t end up committing to Ohio State when it’s all said and done. Texas would like to believe it has an outside shot, but those hopes are dwindling.
Prediction: Ohio State
No. 2 – Kendall Milton, RB
I feel lucky, I should play the lottery #GoBucks ❤️ pic.twitter.com/n4ncZy2tWk
— Kendall Milton (@therealkmilt) June 2, 2019
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Though Milton too is from the West Coast, he only included schools in the the eastern third of the country. His final list includes Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Ohio State. It looked for awhile like the No. 3 running back and 22nd overall prospect in the class was leaning Ohio State, but then things seem to change after visits to the three SEC schools after he was in Columbus.
The Buckeyes are still in the running and there could be a surprise, but it would be an upset at this point if Milton ended up a Buckeye. The 6-1, 229 pounder out of California seems to be on the way to one of the SEC schools, and one with quite the tailback tradition and opportunity to play.
Prediction: Georgia
No. 1 – Elias Ricks, CB
Can Ohio State flip 5-star LSU defensive back commit Elias Ricks? https://t.co/0kIs7ctz3D
— BuckeyesWire (@BuckeyesWire) July 15, 2019
Even though Ricks has already given his word to LSU, there are a lot of signs pointing towards Ohio State being able to flip the 6-2, 192 lb. lockdown corner. The Buckeye staff is still working things — especially with news that Ricks will play for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida — the same school current Buckeye commit Lejond Cavazos currently attends.
He has been stable with his commitment to the Tigers, but the pull of Ohio State’s ability to develop defensive backs, the relationship with Jeff Hafley, and the fact that there is an official visit tentatively scheduled for November 22 says that he’s still in play for the Buckeyes. This is probably the most interesting of all the targets out there, and really the most uncertain. In the end I think Ricks remains loyal to his word.
Prediction: LSU
