Ohio State has long tended to get what it wants. Whether it was in-state or otherwise, the Buckeyes usually have had the upper hand in recruiting, especially compared to Michigan football.
However, the times are changing.
Earlier this year, the college football landscape was stunned when the Wolverines stole four-star running back Jordan Marshall away from OSU when the Cincinnati-based tailback chose the maize and blue over the hometown scarlet and gray. As Michigan continues to make inroads with a few more Ohio natives, Bryce West and Aaron Scott (West took his official visit to Ann Arbor last week, while Scott arrives this week), there are some targets thought to be Buckeye locks that apparently the Wolverines have the key for.
Take Elias Rudolph, a defensive end from Deerfield Beach (Florida). Rated a four-star across the board with ESPN being highest at No. 150 overall, he has long been predicted to end up in Columbus according to the 247Sports crystal ball, dating to November, just days before The Game. However, in recent days, Michigan football has received two predictions he’ll end up wearing a winged helmet after all. The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb and Brice Marich both prognosticating as such.
At 6 feet, 4 inches, 205 pounds, Rudolph has room to grow into his role at the next level, but it appears that following his official visit to Ann Arbor this past weekend, he’s more likely than not to do so while wearing a Michigan uniform.
What makes this a particularly notable coup is that Rudolph is actually an Ohio native, hailing from Cincinnati — like Marshall — despite playing in the state of Florida. He transferred to Deerfield Beach after attending Cincinnati (Ohio) Taft previously.
The Wolverines have a bevy of Ohio natives in the 2024 class. Marshall, OL Ben Roebuck, OL Luke Hamilton and DT Ted Hammond are committed.
OSU will have another chance to sway him, however, when it hosts Rudolph on an official visit this weekend. Pitt is the other school seemingly in contention for his services.
Rudolph is listed by 247Sports as the No. 17 edge and 38th-best player in the state of Florida.
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