Ohio State 2021 recruiting push slowed by minor rules infraction

Stay in touch or be left out because Ohio State recruiting is a 24-hour, seven-day-per-week obsession. What’s the latest news as the Buckeyes build for the future? Get that and more Sunday through Thursday on Lettermen Row. Sunday’s notebook has the latest on the Ohio State recruiting efforts in the Class of 2021 and how the Buckeyes are dealing with minor NCAA rules infractions that have forced a minor adjustment.

Minor NCAA infraction delaying Ohio State in new contact period

We’ve been talking for months here at Lettermen Row about the importance of the Sept. 1 date for the Ohio State class of 2021, because it’s the date that Ryan Day and his program could finally respond to the young men around the country who have been waiting to talk to coaches more regularly.

Those players and the Buckeyes will have to wait a bit longer. Lettermen Row has learned that as a result of a minor NCAA infraction, Ohio State is unable to contact the majority of 2021 recruits until Sept. 8, with a handful of recruits needing to wait until Sept. 15. Which players have to wait until Sept. 15 are not known.

According to sources close to the program, Ohio State self-reported minor infractions involving on-campus photoshoots and recruiting itineraries. Schools around the country are not allowed to share professional photoshoot images with recruits until Sept. 1 of their junior season, and there was some confusion about that rule because programs are allowed to text kids and their families while they’re on a campus visit — but cannot send them the photos they took during that time. That’s why the majority of photos shared on social media from 2021 prospects in Columbus look like this:

https://twitter.com/RyanLinthicum2/status/1129902377790824448

By comparison:

Uh oh 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/XWVy0lep9w

— Ryan linthicum (@RyanLinthicum2) July 28, 2019

The Buckeyes also self-reported an infraction where they had put recruit’s names on visit itineraries, which is for some reason, an NCAA violation.

So, for those waiting to see how the Ohio State staff attacks the Class of 2021, keep waiting for another week. As for now, the Buckeyes can only respond to recruits who’ve reached out to them by letting them know of the situation and then hoping to make up the lost time when contact is permitted.

Future of Ohio State offensive line in Columbus

The new-look Ohio State offensive line was on display Saturday at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes offense looked spectacular at times running and passing behind them.

The future of the Ohio State offensive line was standing on the sidelines pregame and sitting in the crowd during it, as 2020 line commits Paris Johnson, Grant Toutant and Josh Fryar were all in attendance — as well 2021 verbal Ben Christman.

“It was good to see the guys and just hang out a bit,” Toutant told Lettermen Row. “I’m really feeling comfortable with everyone. We just talked about our games and stuff. I am trying to come back next week.”

Josh Fryar, Grant Toutant, Paris Johnson and Ben Christman at Ohio State’s home opener against FAU. (Via Ben Christman)

Toutant, Fryar and Johnson have all met, but Saturday provided the first chance for Christman, Ohio’s top-ranked 2021 lineman, to meet with Johnson, the state’s top-ranked player in 2020.

“It was cool to meet Paris for the first time,” Christman said. “It’s big to build good relationships with future teammates. It was really good. I’m excited about the future.”

Ohio State certainly should be, too.

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