Jahvaree Ritzie ready for Buckeyes visit, Kalen Etzler living dream

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. On Thursday, we talk to a pair of interesting prospects on the defensive line and catch up with Ohio State basketball commitment Kalen Etzler.
Jahvaree Ritzie planning visit to Ohio State
Ohio State offered Kernersville, N.C., 4-star defensive end Jahvaree Ritzie about a month ago. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound strongside defensive end has been watched closely by the Buckeyes over the past few months. Now the Glenn High School star told Lettermen Row he’s ready to take his first, closer look at what the Buckeyes are doing in Columbus.
“I am visiting this spring,” Ritzie said. “I don’t know the exact day, but we are going. I’m going with my family. I need to learn and know everything about [Ohio State].”
What Ritzie, North Carolina’s No. 12-ranked player, does know is that there aren’t many programs in the country like Ohio State.
“It’s a great football program,” he said. “But it’s also really high with the educational piece. That’s what really stood out to me. Plus, Larry Johnson and all the successful defensive linemen that he has put into the league. It’s great.”
Ritzie will have to schedule his visit around his busy track and field schedule. The big-time defensive end runs a number of events, including three different relays.
Ohio State has signed three defensive ends from North Carolina since 2013: Tyquan Lewis, Jaden McKenzie and Jacolbe Cowan.
Georgia defensive end has Ohio State interest
Ritzie isn’t the only 2021 defensive end interested in the program because of what Larry Johnson has accomplished during his Ohio State tenure.
Khristian Zachary, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound end from Carrollton (Fairburn, Ga.) High School believes the legendary line coach would help him reach his potential.
“It’s their pass rushers,” Zachary, a 3-star prospect, told Lettermen Row. “The Bosa brothers. Chase Young. Plus, they’re in contention every single year. They have only followed me on Twitter, but my coaches have not told if they reached out or not. They have not called me; but I do love the Ohio State.”
Alabama offered on Wednesday night. Florida and Oklahoma have already offered, as has Georgia. The Bulldogs are the local team, and if Kirby Smart’s program were to push for a commitment, most reasonable folks assume they’d get one. Zachary, though, is not focused on location or the expectations of others.
“Georgia is my home school, but I am a long way from making a decision,” he said. “A lot of things go into that decision. I’m a lot deeper than people know. Always have been.”
Kalen Etzler living dream as Buckeyes commitment
Sometimes it’s necessary to switch gears, and we’re doing that today with a brief respite from football recruiting –and giving the basketball program a little attention.
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Last weekend as the Buckeyes were beating Maryland at home, 5-star wing prospect Kendall Brown made an official visit to Ohio State. He was greeted by a number of dignitaries on hand, including Crestview High School’s Kalen Etzler, a Buckeyes commitment for almost a year now. The 6-foot-8, 195-pound junior is loving the opportunity to represent his future school.
“It’s super fun man, the game was amazing. I’m just super grateful for everything,” Etzler said of his role as a recruiter. “I can’t explain how blessed I am to meet new kids and stuff. It’s just fun getting to know all them and to be able to joke around.”
Ohio’s No. 5-ranked player isn’t pressuring anyone to join him in Columbus, choosing instead to just rely on being himself no matter what.
“There is no pressure or no hard push. I just be who I am, a down to Earth kid,” Etzler said. “Then I let them plan their decision out based on what they like and where they fit. Kendall is a real cool kid. I hope he enjoyed his visit and really considers Ohio State. He was really cool to me, and I know for a fact he’s a fantastic player. But I hope he knows I can help whenever if he needs anything.”
As a player, Etzler’s life has changed a bit since he made his commitment. Teams play him different, officials call things different. He’s trying to make sense of it.
“I’ve got a lot tougher in the last year,” he said. “And I have had to learn to be an all-around player. I’m trying to learn to not complain about anything that is thrown at me. I’m just trying to prepare myself the best way I know how: ‘That’s just how it is gonna be.'”
Etzler has gained some of that insight from watching the commitment made by Kaleb Wesson in the last year to changing his body and the way he’s had to handle playing in the always physical, but inconsistent, Big Ten.
“Kaleb does a really good job of just finishing through it,” Etzler said. “And then staying quiet. He’s a different breed. It definitely inspires me and makes me excited for what is coming up with that type of access to help and guidance.”
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