Analyzing impact as 4-star receiver Kojo Antwi commits to Ohio State

COLUMBUS – After a back-and-forth recruitment, Kojo Antwi has committed to Ohio State.

The Lambert (Suwanee, Ga.) High School athlete announced his decision on Twitter, celebrating his mother’s birthday with his choice. The commitment comes three weeks following Antwi’s official visit with the Buckeyes, a trip that helped him really connect with Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline.

“Coach Hart is a very genuine guy,” Antwi said. “He’s all about details when he’s coaching and that’s what I love about him. He was so real with me, straight up the whole time. I got to hang out with Emeka and Jaxon Smith-Njigba the most, but the whole receiver room was cool. I had a chat with almost all of them.

“It’s so much about being a family there.”

Lettermen Row is breaking down the commitment of Kojo Antwi and what it means for Ohio State, the Big Ten and the entire 2022 recruiting class.

What Kojo Antwi gives Ohio State on field

Kojo Antwi isn’t yet a totally polished receiver prospect, but he’s a big, strong, physical wideout with explosive athleticism. He can stretch the field — but he’s well put together and able to fight for tough yards and make tough catches over the middle.

6-foot-1 and 185-pounds, Antwi has to get more consistent catching the football. Like every young receiver, he will have to keep working on the art that is high-level route running. 

There’s a lot to like about Antwi as a player, but again, he isn’t a completed product yet. There is, though, a really solid starting point for Brian Hartline to work with. That’s why the Ohio State comparison for him is Terry McLaurin. The size, strength and style of play is very similar. It remains to be seen if Antwi will maximize his talents the way that McLaurin did, but he has the tools.

What pickup means for Ohio State 2022 recruiting class

Ohio State has recruited the wide receiver position better than any program in the country over the last three years, and the addition of Kojo Antwi underscores how highly recruits all over the nation view the opportunity to learn from Hartline. Antwi joins 5-star Caleb Burton and fellow 4-star prospects Kyion Grayes and Kaleb Brown as commitments in 2022. Early in this cycle, there was not really a need to take four wideouts, but roster attrition — both now and with potential NFL departures — have left the room talented, but thinner, than Ryan Day and Ohio State would like.

Antwi chose the Buckeyes over Georgia, Texas A&M, Alabama and USC. He gives Ohio State another big win in the Peach State with the Buckeyes continuing to recruit that area very aggressively. Every single win in that region helps set the tone for another one. Ohio State is still in the mix for Georgia offensive lineman Addison Nichols, defensive back Jake Pope, linebacker Malik Spencer and defensive lineman Christen Miller in the Atlanta area in this cycle. 

How Kojo Antwi impacts 2022 recruiting rankings

Ohio State now has 16 commitments in the Class of 2022 and remains the nation’s top-ranked class. The Buckeyes have a substantial lead over Notre Dame, Florida State, Penn State and LSU, who round out the top five. Ohio State has held the top spot for the majority of the 2022 cycle, as they did in the 2021 cycle. The smaller number of players that Ryan Day is set to sign may once again prove to be the difference as the Buckeyes chase that elusive, mythical recruiting championship.

Ohio State has four commitments currently ranked as 5-star prospects committed — and LSU is the only other program with more than two. The Buckeyes also lead the Big Ten conference with their 15 verbals in the Class of 2022. The 5-star group includes quarterback Quinn Ewers, cornerback Jaheim Singletary, receiver Caleb Burton and linebacker C.J. Hicks. The remainder of the Buckeyes class consists of running back Dallan Hayden, receiver Kyion Grayes, offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola, tight ends Bennett Christian and Benji Gosnell, linebacker Gabe Powers and defensive backs Jyaire Brown, Kye Stokes, Ryan Turner and Terrance Brooks.