Signed: Kaleb Brown brings elite athleticism to deep Buckeyes receiver room

The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2022 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Kaleb Brown has signed with the Buckeyes.

COLUMBUS — As part of another elite batch of wide receivers coming to Ohio State, Kaleb Brown has officially signed with the Buckeyes.

Brown is one of four pass-catchers to officially join the program Wednesday, six months after his original commitment to Brian Hartline’s unit.

What does this addition do for Ohio State? Let’s break it down.

Who is Kaleb Brown?

Kaleb Brown is a 5-foot-11, 177-pound athlete who committed to Ohio State on June 7, 2021.

On3 Consensus Ranking: 110 overall, 19 WR, 2 Illinois
On3 Ranking: 171 overall, 24 LB, 5 Illinois
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
High School: St. Rita

Scouting summary: “There are a number of very good receivers at Ohio State already but there isn’t really anyone that fits the same mold as Kaleb Brown. He’s a true slot receiver in the mold of Curtis Samuel. He’s a 5-foot-11, 180-pound receiver who played a lot of tailback early in his career. There’s a comparison to be made to Mookie Cooper and the way he was intended to be used in the Ohio State offense but Brown is a more natural pass catcher and his 10.8 speed in the 100-meter dash means he’s got the ability to hit homeruns on jet sweeps and other end-around type of players designed to get him the ball in space. Brown has the ability to play on the outside and that’s what separates him from Cooper and others who the Buckeyes have tried to fit into that role since Samuel’s departure.

Brown isn’t going to run away from everyone, but his combination of wiggle and straight-line speed make him a dangerous weapon for a versatile offense. He runs with power when he has the ball and can make guys miss in the open field.

Kaleb Brown is also someone who could help Ohio State in the kick return game and that could help him get on the field earlier in his career. – Jeremy Birmingham, Lettermen Row Director of Recruiting

How did Brown end up at Ohio State?

Brown slowly built a relationship with the Buckeyes for quite some time but it wasn’t easy. Brian Hartline and Ohio State watched Kaleb Brown closely, trying to find the right fit in the offense in Columbus as the Buckeyes. Still, Brown and Hartline talked regularly throughout the winter of 2020 and the spring of 2021.

“I click with [Brian Hartline] as a person. It’s always good conversations,” Brown told Lettermen Row in the spring. “My recruitment has been low-key since it started if you ask me. The dead period only showed who is serious about my future and well being.

“Coaches have been able to keep in contact and grow a relationship even if it isn’t in person and that’s been relatively the same since the start. Some schools are definitely trying more than others.”

The Buckeyes were trying hard by the time the summer months came around.

After a one-day unofficial visit to Ohio State in early June, Brown chose the Buckeyes over plenty of big-time suitors, including Alabama, Michigan and others. The trip to Columbus “felt like home” for Brown and ended his recruitment.

He returned to Ohio State for his official visit in October and never visited any other programs after his commitment. Kaleb Brown will enroll with the Buckeyes next June.