The Ohio State football program has one of the nation’s best inbound recruiting classes in 2020. However, somehow, the 2021 class may ultimately top the one joining Ryan Day’s staff this coming season. It’s on pace to be one of the best ever since the modern recruiting measurements were put in place.
With four five-star recruits and a whopping eleven four-star recruits, the Buckeyes currently hold the No. 1 class in the nation according to 247Sports Team Composite Rankings. In that class is wide receiver Jayden Ballard.
A four-star recruit and the third-best player in the state of Ohio, the 6-foot-2 stud was recruited by Brian Hartline, continuing to further Hartline’s dominance as a recruiter.
That said, Ballard will be the fourth player in the Massillon Tigers’ history to participate in the All-American Bowl. Coach Nate Moore announced that Ballard has been offered to play in the bowl.
Congrats to 2021 MASSILLON TIGER WR Jayden Ballard on the OFFER to play in the All-American Bowl!! #TIG #AllAmericanBowl 🇺🇸
If accepted Jayden would become the 4th Massillon Tiger to play in a National All-Star Game.
2003 Shawn Crable
2008 J.T. Turner
2013 Gareon Conley#TIG pic.twitter.com/onodHgAZPS— Nate Moore (@CoachNMoore) May 29, 2020
And, then, if there was any doubt, Eleven Warriors’ Zach Carpenter confirmed that he’ll be playing in the high-profile game seemingly full of Buckeyes.
Ballard will be the seventh Buckeye to play in the 2021 bowl.
“Massillon Washington (Ohio) receiver star Jayden Ballard announced on Saturday that he has accepted an invitation to the All-American game, becoming the seventh player in the Buckeyes’ 2021 class to commit to playing in the bowl,” Eleven Warriors’ Zach Carpenter wrote.
This is just another example of the star power joining the Buckeyes in the next few years. He’ll be one of over 20 four-and-five-star recruits to make Columbus their home before 2022.