Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes top running back target commits to Alabama

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Buckeyes top running back target commits to Alabama

Ohio State is still searching for its second running back in the 2023 class. It now seems like the Buckeyes will need to go back to the drawing board to find one.

Four-star Buford (Georgia) running back Justice Haynes was Tony Alford and the Buckeyes top target, especially after hosting Haynes for an official visit late in June. But Haynes decided to give a verbal pledge to Alabama on Sunday, ending his recruitment and leaving the Buckeyes still in the hunt for a second back.

Alford already has a talented back committed in four-star American Heritage (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) back Mark Fletcher. But Haynes was the top target remaining for the Buckeyes, and now he is going to one of their biggest national competitors.

And Ohio State is going back to searching for another tailback in its class.

Four-star tight end Jelani Thurman commits to Ohio State

Four-star Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Georgia) tight end Jelani Thurman chose Ohio State over Michigan State, Auburn, Alabama and others on Sunday. Thurman becomes the second tight end to join the 2023 class along with four-star Ty Lockwood, and he should finalize tight ends coach Kevin Wilson’s efforts at the position for this cycle.

Jelani Thurman is the No. 10 rated tight end and the No. 11 rated prospect in Georgia, according to the On3 Consensus rankings.

Thurman joins a talent haul of pass-catchers in the Buckeye’s class with five-star Carnell Tate, five-star Brandon Inniss, four-star Noah Rogers and four-star Bryson Rodgers all committed to Ohio State. Thurman is now the thirteenth top-200 player committed to coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes this cycle.

Jelani Thurman only took one trip to Columbus but made the most of it by making it an official visit. Thurman’s June 24 visit ended his busy June where he also made official visits to Auburn, Alabama and Michigan State.

READ: Analyzing impact as four-star tight end Jelani Thurman commits to Ohio State

Four Buckeyes sign six-figure deal, helped by NIL collective The Foundation

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, running back TreVeyon Henderson, defensive back Denzel Burke and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a $550,000 deal, which was brokered by The Foundation, the collective founded by Brian Schottenstein

By signing the deal, Denzel Burke and TreVeyon Henderson will be promoting American Eagle Outfitters. C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will promote Designer Shoe Warehouse through the deal. And as the quarterback, Stroud has one more assignment: he’ll be working with Value City Furniture, as well.

Ohio State has wanted to get more aggressive in the world of name, image and likeness, but the Buckeyes have been careful with what they are doing — and allowing to happen with their players. With few rules in place, there isn’t much guidance on what can and can’t be done.

But with player representation through NIL Management, who represents the four players, and The Foundation, the collective helping the deals become reality, the Buckeyes appear to have found a way to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape.

At least four of them have. They signed a deal that is massive. In money. In value. And in the shifting landscape of NIL.

READ: Four Buckeyes sign six-figure deal, helped by NIL collective The Foundation

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