Scarlet Sunrise: In-state defensive back commits to Ohio State as preferred walk-on
Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.
Ohio State adds in-state preferred walk-on defensive back
The Buckeyes continue to find ways to bolster their roster ahead of the 2024 season and another Ohio native has picked the Scarlet and Gray.
2024 Cincinnati (Ohio) Lakota West cornerback Bukari Miles announced his commitment to Ohio State on Tuesday evening. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound defensive back will be a preferred walk-on for the Buckeyes and will be on campus this summer for workouts as well as August training camp.
Miles originally committed to Air Force on Jan. 8 but stepped away from his decision on Feb. 18. He then committed to Ohio State two days later.
Ohio State has a longstanding relationship with the Lakota West program as second-year safety Malik Hartford played for the Firebirds. The Buckeyes are also recruiting 2025 tight end Luka Gilbert and 2026 edge rusher Cam Thomas from Lakota West.
James Laurinaitis, Matt Guerrieri meet the press
Ohio State hired two new-ish coaches this offseason. James Laurinaitis was promoted from graduate assistant to linebackers coach and Matt Guerrieri was hired as the new safeties coach.
Both assistant coaches met with the press for the first time in their respective roles on Tuesday. Each of them had pointed marks about recruiting for Ohio State. Particularly Guerrieri.
“The guy that you’re recruiting at Ohio State is the elite of the elite,” Guerrieri said. “And the challenge is getting that recruit to Ohio State. It’s the closing of that and showing that recruit why Ohio State’s the best place in America for him as a person, as a student and a football player. We have everything here.”
“It still goes back to relationships, to be able to build real, authentic relationships and trust and show them, ‘Hey, short term and long term, here’s an individualized plan for you to be successful.’”
For more on Guerrieri’s introduction with the press, read here.
CJ Hicks, Sonny Styles poised for pivotal springs
Two members from the Buckeyes’ 2022 recruiting class are poised and expected to have big springs for Ohio State.
Linebacker CJ Hicks and safety Sonny Styles have driven some off-season conversations and what their respective roles will be for the Buckeyes this coming fall. Both players are former five-star prospects. Styles was a key piece to the Buckeyes’ defense last season while Hicks continues to develop into what the coaching staff believes he can be.
“I think just consistency, to be honest with you,” Laurinaitis said of what he needs to see from Hicks. “C.J. has all the potential in the world. He does. And I think sometimes he’s just got to cut it loose. Go play. And I think honestly, I expect a big spring from C.J. With the way he has attacked this offseason workouts, the way he’s carried himself, I expect him to take a jump.
“… I’m a big fan of C.J. Hicks. I always have been, because I think he has such a raw and rare kind of skillset to where he can just, physically, he has so many traits that you love at the linebacker position.”
For more on Hicks’ spring read here. For more about Styles read here.
Counting Down
Buckeyes vs. Akron: 192 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 283 days
Are you a Lettermen Row member yet?
Are you ready to get all your latest Ohio State news in one place? Become a member of Lettermen Row today. With your Lettermen Row/On3+ membership, you’ll not only have access to everything that’s happening with the Buckeyes, but you’ll also be able to peruse other fan sites within the network to hear just how rivals are feeling about Ohio State, as well. Make sure to follow along on X, Instagram and on Youtube for all the latest Buckeyes news you need to know.
