What the Experts Said: Ohio State signees impress early at All-American Bowl
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is well represented once again at this year’s version of the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
Jeremiah Smith, Eddrick Houston, James Peoples, Garrett Stover, Ian Moore and preferred walk-on long snapper Morrow Evans are all in Texas going through practice and will play in the game on Saturday. Payton Pierce will be in San Antonio but is unable to play as he is recovering from foot surgery.
On3’s national team is in the Lone Star State and Director of Scouting and Rankings, Charles Power, released a big notebook this afternoon. While there are notes about what other players did on Day One — like linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa — Lettermen Row has compiled all the notes about the Buckeyes.
READ: All-American Bowl: Day 1 Top Performers (via Charles Power)
EXTRA: 2024 All-American Bowl roster breakdown (via On3)
Jeremiah Smith
The five-star Plus+ wide receiver was named Team East MVP by Power and that isn’t something too shocking. Here is Power’s analysis of the Buckeyes’ next great wide receiver from Day One in San Antonio.
“Jeremiah Smith entered the week as the top-rated prospect on hand and lived up to that lofty billing on Tuesday. The No. 2 overall prospect put on an elite route-running display. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Smith has a highly polished release package. He’s a highly coordinated mover and effortlessly stacked overwhelmed corners off of the line of scrimmage. Smith showed very good deep ball tracking skills, catching every target we saw thrown his way. The ability to drop his weight and change directions mid-route – at his size – is as good as you’ll see. We didn’t see Smith face off against a true blue-chip corner on the day, but the fact he won so easily and added a touchdown in 7-on-7 was more than enough to cement On3 MVP status for the East.“
Eddrick Houston
Five-star Buford (Ga) EDGE Eddrick Houston lived up to the billing according to Power in this brief note. Houston is the No. 4 EDGE in the On3 Industry Rankings.
“Alabama signee Jeremiah Beaman, Notre Dame signee Bryce Young and Ohio State signee Eddrick Houston all had their moments on the defensive line for the East. Houston had one of the highlight plays in 1-on-1s as he walked Nyier Daniels into the backfield before putting the 390-pound lineman on his back.“
James Peoples
Four-star San Antonio (Texas) Veterans Memorial running back James Peoples was impressive early according to both Power and National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman.
“Ohio State running back signee James Peoples showed encouraging pass-catching ability out of the backfield for the East. It’s safe to say Peoples nor Notre Dame signee Kedren Young skip leg day.”
Additional Notes
Peoples, Smith, Moore, Houston and Stover all are playing on Team East.
Evans is playing on Team West.
