Tag: Buckeye football recruiting

Ohio State 2023 recruiting wish list ahead of the early signing period

This would be a stellar close to the early signing period #GoBucks

The Buckeyes are looking to finish strong ahead of the early signing period next Wednesday and it’s recently been a mixed bag on the recruiting trail. They gained a quarterback, 2023 [autotag]Lincoln Kienholz[/autotag], and lost one, 2024 [autotag]Dylan Raiola[/autotag], while adding the top 2024 wide receiver, [autotag]Jeremiah Smith[/autotag], between the sign callers decisions.

The focus should be back on the 2023 cycle, [autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag] has five open scholarships available, with 20 current commitments. The class ranks in the top 10 according all three major recruiting services but there is obviously room to move north.

As the majority of players now sign in this period instead of waiting until the first Wednesday of February, the Buckeyes need to close out this portion of the cycle and move their focus to the 2024 class. These are the five, that the Bucks have a realistic chance at, recruits that I would love the see sign with [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] this coming Wednesday.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today

Scouts view: Newest 2024 Ohio State commit, 5-Star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith

Another BOOM?!?!! You bet #GoBucks

Talk about a huge day in recruiting for the Buckeyes.

First, South Dakota quarterback [autotag]Lincoln Kienholz[/autotag] commits to the 2023 class. Now, Florida five-star [autotag]Jeremiah Smith[/autotag] has joined the fold in the 2024 cycle.

[autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag] is off to an incredible start for the 2024 class. He has secured a commitment from not just the top overall player in the class, [autotag]Dylan Raiola[/autotag], but also the second overall player and No. 1 wide receiver, Smith, according to the 247Sports composite.

The class has four commitments and is already viewed as one of the best collections of prospects in the country. It’s always fun to get to do a scouts view, but two in one day is even better. Here is what I saw when viewing Smith’s Hudl highlights from this past season.

First, you’d think a receiver with Smith’s size (6 feet, 3 inches, 185 pounds) doesn’t move well, but that is incorrect. He possesses top-end speed. If a corner doesn’t get a hand on him, he will run right by him. It’s a gear you don’t normally see from a player Smith’s size.

It doesn’t end there. His hands are incredibly strong, which allows him to make acrobatic catches all over the field. Jump balls? Smith has the leaping ability to “Moss” defensive backs. He has an elite catching radius and it will only get better working with wide receivers coach Brian Hartline.

There is no doubt in my mind that Smith can come into Columbus right away and contribute. He’s that talented. I would not expect a redshirt from him if he stays healthy. By his sophomore year, a [autotag]Marvin Harrison Jr.[/autotag] type breakout could be in order. Day and receivers coach [autotag]Brian Hartline[/autotag] should be beaming with the commitment from Smith.

[listicle id=102171]

[lawrence-related id=102230]

[lawrence-related id=102213]

[lawrence-related id=102212]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz0qtnjg5x7tc8 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today

BOOM x 2! Ohio State adds 5-Star 2024 Florida receiver to class

What’s better than one BOOM? A second one! #GoBucks

The Buckeyes are on a recruiting roll as the early signing period approaches.

Earlier Wednesday, [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] added 2023 quarterback [autotag]Lincoln Kienholz[/autotag] from the transfer portal to fill a big need in the class at the position. For the 2024 class, there already is a quarterback in the fold, five-star [autotag]Dylan Raiola[/autotag]. It shouldn’t be surprising that receivers want to join him.

That’s exactly what happened Wednesday evening. Florida five-star receiver [autotag]Jeremiah Smith[/autotag] pledged to the Buckeyes. Head coach [autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag] and his soon-to-be position coach [autotag]Brian Hartline[/autotag] must be ecstatic about the elite receiver joining the recruiting class. It’s an absolute home run addition to the class.

Smith is the No. 1 receiver prospect and No. 5 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle according to the 247Sports composite.

The class grows to four commitments. Offensive lineman Ian Moore and athlete Garrett Stover are the other two. It looks like the start of another high-end recruiting class for Day and his staff.

[listicle id=102171]

[lawrence-related id=102230]

[lawrence-related id=102213]

[lawrence-related id=102212]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz0qtnjg5x7tc8 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today

Scouts view: Newest Ohio State verbal, 2023 quarterback Lincoln Kienholz

The Bucks found their 2023 QB #GoBucks

The Buckeyes found their 2023 answer at quarterback on Wednesday when former [autotag]Washington[/autotag] commit [autotag]Lincoln Kienholz[/autotag] made his flip to [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] official.

After the decommitment of [autotag]Brock Glenn[/autotag], [autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag] went into scramble mode to fill the open spot in the class, and the effort has paid off.

As a former scout for Prep RedZone, and having identified major college players as early as their eighth grade year, I love to give my input on what my scout’s eyes see from a newly committed Ohio State prospect. Here is what I saw when watching Kienholz’s Hudl tape.

Before getting into Kienholz’s performance on the field, knowing he is a three-sport star (baseball, basketball) made me very excited to break down his film. With great size at 6 feet, 3 inches and 195 pounds, he has the frame to add more than a few pounds when he arrives in Columbus and gets integrated into the weight room and training table.

Clearly, a great athlete, Kienholz’s arm is above average. It is not quite elite, but it’s pretty darn good. He shows very impressive touch on deep and intermediate throws, while his accuracy shines on his shorter attempts. Kienholz’s athleticism shows when the play breaks down, and he has to move out of the pocket. He is a very solid runner who can move the chains when needed. The footwork is impressive, squaring his shoulders to make throws on the move.

Kienholz is a winner, having won four straight state titles in football while being named the 11AA player of the year and becoming South Dakota’s all-time passing leader. Expect him to redshirt his first year in Columbus, as he adds weight and gets used to a higher competition level. The Buckeyes received a pledge from high floor quarterback, even if Kienholz’s ceiling isn’t as high as some of Day’s recent recruits.

[lawrence-related id=102175]

[lawrence-related id=102212]

[lawrence-related id=102192]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz0qtnjg5x7tc8 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today

Five star Ohio State wide receiver commit will wait until February to sign

Not the best news for the Bucks

This was not the news we wanted to hear, as five-star wide receiver [autotag]Brandon Inniss[/autotag] has told 247Sports that he will likely wait until February to sign with a school. This decision by Inniss is two-fold, he wants to be coached by [autotag]Brian Hartline[/autotag], who has tweeted he isn’t going anywhere, and [autotag]Deion Sanders[/autotag] moved to [autotag]Colorado[/autotag].

The Florida receiver told Andrew Ivins that he’s “going to wait until February to sign, just so I can let everything play out and make sure 100 percent where he (Hartline) will be.” Inniss did go and say that he could sign in the early period if Hartline is still in Columbus but there was another factor, Sanders.

The current Jackson State head coach is reportedly taking the open position at Colorado and has already been recruiting Inniss to join him. Coach Prime has told Inniss “that he wanted me to join him,” if he were to leave JSU. Inniss wants to play for a Power Five school so Sanders’ current position at Jackson State isn’t an option but the Buffs would be.

Now, Inniss did take to Twitter to calm Ohio State fans’ and coaches’ fears, but this is big-time college football recruiting, and things change often until there’s a signature on that piece of paper.

Ivins also notes that a few other schools are still actively recruiting Inniss, such as Miami and Alabama, but it doesn’t seem like either of those schools is really in contention for Inniss’ signature.

This is a situation to monitor, even if the Buckeyes are in a very good position with receivers in the 2023 class as [autotag]Carnell Tate[/autotag], [autotag]Noah Rogers[/autotag], and [autotag]Bryson Rodgers[/autotag] also in the fold. [autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag] and Hartline have some work to do to keep Inniss in the class even though he did Tweet out earlier that he’s still locked in.

[mm-video type=video id=01gka1q5fztyj2dbh7fr playlist_id=01eqbz0qtnjg5x7tc8 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gka1q5fztyj2dbh7fr/01gka1q5fztyj2dbh7fr-e3782d03180b58d39d0aed7d116fb1fa.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=101540]

[lawrence-related id=101637]

[lawrence-related id=101569]

[listicle id=101610]

[lawrence-related id=101608]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.