Dotting the 'Eyes: Ohio State offers two defensive ends, weekend visitors list
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, including the latest offers to a pair of 2020 defensive end prospects.
Ohio State offers defensive ends Braiden McGregor, Chris Braswell
The Buckeyes are still holding fast in their pursuit of 2019 defensive end Zach Harrison, but on Wednesday night they made a pair of offers in next year’s class at that key position. The first: Port Huron, Mich. product Braiden McGregor, who spent a day this past summer working with Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes during a one-day camp.
Very thankful to receive a offer from The Ohio State University! Thank you to the coaching staff can’t wait to come visit! #GOBucks #B1G pic.twitter.com/HIstSDxRiq
— Braiden McGregor (@BraidenMcgregor) October 3, 2018
“[Camp] was awesome,†McGregor told Lettermen Row. “[Larry Johnson] taught me so much.â€
Since that June trip, though, the majority of contact with the 6-foot-5, 235-pound McGregor has come courtesy of cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson, who handles recruiting in the state of Michigan. Following the offer, he’s working to arrange a visit to Columbus again — and this offer is a key one for him.
“It’s a pretty big one,” he said. “I’ve been down there twice and it’s a pretty cool place. Also, you can see how good they are this year and how many people they put in the NFL.”
Later in the evening, the Buckeyes offered 5-star defensive end Chris Braswell, a superstar at the St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. He’s the nation’s top-ranked weakside defensive end, checking in at 6-foot-3 and 211-pounds.
https://twitter.com/Chrisbras410/status/1047641553039179776
Braswell was in attendance for the Ohio State and Penn State game last Saturday alongside 5-star 2020 prospect Bryan Bresee, the country’s top-ranked strongside defensive end. Lettermen Row reached out to him for reaction to the offer but hasn’t received a response at this point. That pair of Maryland recruits may have enjoyed seeing a fellow Maryland native and former 5-star prospect Chase Young wipe out the Nittany Lions.
Lorenzo Styles set for first Ohio State visit
After a few months of discussing it, Pickerington (Ohio) North wide receiver and Ohio State legacy Lorenzo Styles is set to make his first game-day visit to the Horseshoe. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound sophomore has an offer already from Notre Dame, Boston College and Vanderbilt. He’s taken a trip this season to Notre Dame, and now the Buckeyes get a turn to showcase their program.
“I want to see the faculties,” Styles told Lettermen Row. “As well as the atmosphere during the game.”
Though his father was a former NFL linebacker, Style sticks to the offensive side of the ball. That’s where his focus will be on Saturday. How does new Ohio State assistant Brian Hartline handle his experienced group of wideouts?
“During the game, I’m going to be watching their wide receivers and see how I could fit into their great program,” he said.
Since he’s a local, Styles believes he may have a chance to spend a bit more time with the staff on Saturday than a lot of recruits would. He’s hoping to get to Ohio State bright and early that day.
“[Ohio State] will be sending my itinerary,” he said. “Hopefully I can get up there early.”
It’d be in the Buckeyes best interest to offer Styles early, too.
Ohio State chasing Tommy Eichenberg, pursuit heating up
Last week Ohio State offered Cleveland St. Ignatius linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, the state of Ohio’s 11th-ranked 2019 prospect according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings. On Wednesday, it was Michigan who tossed its hat into the ring for the 6-foot-3, 230-pound inside linebacker.
https://twitter.com/tommyike41/status/1047630157173936128
The game, as they say, is officially afoot.
However, Ohio State and Michigan have one major problem still: Eichenberg remains committed to Boston College.
One source close the Buckeyes told Lettermen Row that Ohio State is “working hard” on Eichenberg and believes that he’s a “difference maker” on defense. Gregg Eichenberg, his father, told Lettermen Row that his son has been talking to the Buckeyes daily and that there’s no pressure on him to make a choice from the Ohio State side or the Boston College at this point.
There is no doubt that Notre Dame, and the threat of an offer from the Irish, still looms. But even if that happens, this isn’t a slam dunk for any of the programs involved because Eichenberg really does like the Eagles and the Boston College staff.
The key for Ohio State will be to get him on campus again at some point soon and for Tommy and his family to see their sincere interest in person. He’s been to games in Columbus as a recruit, so it’s not really about the game-day vibe and all that. But it is about comfort and relationships — like recruiting always is. St. Ignatius plays most of their games on Saturdays so there are few natural opportunities to get to campus for a game anyway.
The chase for Eichenberg could continue for a bit still, so hang on tight.
Official visit season kicks off at Ohio State
It’s October and we’re now into the thick of the Big Ten football.
As of Thursday afternoon, two days before the Indiana kickoff, there are three players expected to take official visits with the Buckeyes.
They are:
- Ohio State commitment Steele Chambers, a 4-star athlete from Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity
- 4-star wide receiver Wandale Robinson, a top target for the Buckeyes thanks to his ability as a slot receiver and a return specialist
- 4-star offensive tackle Trevor Keegan, the country’s 16th-ranked offensive tackle from Crystal Lake (Ill.) South High School
Lettermen Row will try to get feedback from each of these prospects for Sunday night. They are the currently scheduled official visits, but I can’t say I’d be surprised if Strongsville (Ohio) 3-star guard and Michigan State commit J.D. Duplain showed up as well. I think if he’s going to make a sudden flip to the Buckeyes from the Spartans, there will be a quick turnaround in his recruitment — not like the extended time it may take for a decision from the aforementioned Eichenberg.
Need more Ohio State recruiting? Check out the Lettermen Row forums and let us know what’s on your mind. Don’t forget to sign up for the tri-weekly recruiting newsletter, just in case there’s anything you’ve missed during the week.