Both the Ohio State football and basketball staffs were out recruiting on Tuesday, and their efforts did not disappoint. The two elite groups managed to hit as many as 8 states combined to search for the next wave of Buckeyes.
Starting with one of the most important targets for the Buckeyes right now, '14 OT Jamarco Jones had plenty of visitors yesterday and the Buckeyes were one of them. Many around the recruiting world believe that the talented Jones is leaning towards the Buckeyes.
Couple schools came by today! #Noles #Sooners #Buckeyes #Cyclones
— Jamarco Jones (@jjones_73) April 23, 2013
Ohio State DB Coach Kerry Coombs tweeted early Tuesday morning that he was "planting the flag all over Motown", and that he did. Coombs hit Clarkston High School (MI) to check in on '14 DE David Beedle, '14 CB Tim Cason, '14 K Shane Hynes and '14 DT Nick Matich. Our own Charles Doss caught up with Shane Hynes who was 6 of 8 on FG's last season, a long of 53 yards and recorded a touchback on 91% of his kickoff attempts:
Coach Coombs stopped by and talked to the "Fantastic Four": David Beedle, Nick Matich, Tim Cason and I today. Coach Coombs and I did talk but not for long because of NCAA regulations and all that. But he knew exactly who I was and told me he was very impressed with my leg and that he liked my film and told me they're going to offer a kicker in my class and encouraged me to come to their camp which I will be going to for sure!
Coombs was not finished in enemy territory as he hit De La Salle High School to visit '14 OLB Jared Wangler and Cass Tech HS, which is home to '14 Buckeye commit Damon Webb and many '15 Buckeye targets like RB Mike Weber, QB Jayru Campbell and DE Josh Alabi.
While in New Jersey, Staff stopped by St. Peters Prep to check in on '14 RB Jonathan Hilliman, who named Ohio State as his leader in the beginning of April. But the Buckeyes were not just cheecking in on Hilliman, as they extended an offer to his teammate 2015 CB Minkah Fitzpatrick.
just got offered by THE Ohio State!!! #blessed
— minkah fitzpatrick (@minkfitz_21) April 23, 2013
Ohio State also extended an offer to '15 OLB Malik Jefferson from Ralph H. Poteet HS in Mesquite, Texas. Jefferson already has offers from Texas, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Texas A&M, in addition to Ohio State.
#offered Ohio state #buck #Ohio
— Malik Jefferson #46(@dredgame46) April 23, 2013
Yesterday seemed to be tight end commit day as 4 Buckeye targets at the position for 2014 came off of the board. Jeb Blazevich, who had the Buckeyes in his Top 6, gave his pledge to the Georgia Bulldogs. Ian Bunting, who also had an offer from the Buckeyes, gave his commitment to Michigan. Nic Weishar committed to the Fighting Irish. and Daniel Helm, who had Buckeye interest, gave his verbal to Tennessee. No worries for the Buckeyes yet, as they are sitting well with Garrett Dickerson, who has Ohio State in his final group of 5. Also, Bryce Dixon is another target that is still on the board for the Buckeyes.
In non-tight end commitments outside the Ohio State realm, 4-star Delaware wide receiver Chris Godwin, who'd just taken an unofficial visit to Ohio State March 29th, followed up a mid-April trip to Happy Valley with a verbal pledge to the Penn State Nittany Lions. Both of 247's national recruiting experts had predicted Godwin would wind up at PSU, but having it happen late on a busy Wednesday night was a bit of a surprise. Trevion Thompson, Mark Andrews, Artavis Scott, Demarre Kitt, and Derek Kief highlight the other possibilities at WR in the class of 2014 for the Bucks.
The Buckeyes already have Garfield Heights (OH) PF David Bell in the fold for the '14 class but head coach Thad Matta seems to be interested in adding another big man. On Tuesday, Matta stopped by White Station High School (TN) to visit '14 5-Star PF Leron Black. The Tennessee big-man has an offer from the Buckeyes to go along with offers from Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Louisville and Memphis just to name a few. Black is ranked as the 17th best player in the country, 5th at his position, and the best player in the state of Tennessee for 2014.
Ohio State also had an in-home visit with '14 C Elbert Robinson last night. The 6'10, 265 pound big from Texas has 13 offers and is ranked as the 69th best player in the country and 6th in the Lone Star State. Robinson does not have an Ohio State offer as of yet according to 247Sports.com
Ohio State & Georgetown are having in-home visits with 2014 LBA Seawolves (TX) center Elbert Robinson tonight.
— Alex Kline (@TheRecruitScoop) April 24, 2013
One last thing to keep an eye on, 2013 SG Allerik Freeman, who had the Buckeyes on his short list, has decommitted from UCLA and new coach Steve Alford. Freeman is a 4-star SG from North Carolina. With Kameron Williams already committed at the 2-guard position, there is no telling or not if Ohio State will make one final push for Freeman.