Stay 'Crootin: Lejond Cavazos decision looms, Ohio State extends 'amazing' offer

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 Monday through Friday on Lettermen Row.

Ohio State enters the Darvon Hubbard sweepstakes

After two visits in a week to Ohio State, 2020 running back Darvon Hubbard got the news he had been waiting to hear.

Hubbard, a 4-star standout at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral High School originally from Akron, received the offer from Ohio State he’s been dreaming of his whole life. A phone call with Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford on Tuesday morning made it official.

“It feels amazing,” Hubbard told Lettermen Row. “Basically, Coach Alford  was saying, ‘It’s just time.’

“I showed them everything they were looking for.”

What were the Buckeyes wanting to see? Speed, explosion and shiftiness, all of which the 6-foot, 200-pound Hubbard has in spades. There’s another thing that Hubbard has plenty of — patience.

After two very good camp performances in Columbus, some players may have panicked when no offer was immediately extended. Hubbard did not.

“I wasn’t worried at all,” Hubbard said. “I just learned to trust the process on some things. Coach Alford told me to do the same and that I was close to an offer.”

Despite landing the big offer, Hubbard says there’s not any hurry to make a college choice.

“Only time will tell,” he said about his plans for a commitment. “Right now I’m just training to win a state championship.”

Will he wait that long to make a decision? My guess is that he will not.

CJ Dixon talks Buckeyes visit

Ohio State may be on the verge of landing a 2020 quarterback, but the Buckeyes both hosted and impressed another over the weekend.

Logansville (Ga.) 2020 star CJ Dixon is one of the country’s hottest young quarterbacks, and he and his mother made the visit to Columbus to see first-hand what the Buckeyes have going on.

“It went really good,” Dixon told Lettermen Row. “It was kind of eye-opening. It makes you understand why their program is such a strong one. It was a real family environment.”

The Buckeyes welcomed the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Dixon and his mother to town on Friday, and the pair stayed in Columbus for a tour on Saturday. They saw a place they could be comfortable in the future.

“My mom liked the look,” Dixon said. “She liked the atmosphere, but she was most impressed with what they offer the athletes after football.”

Dixon, who has offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Boston College, echoed that sentiment.

“For me, it was the support system you’re surrounded by there,” he said. “That’s what was the most impressive thing.”

There’s a real chance Ohio State could consider taking two quarterbacks in the Class of 2020, and Dixon is one they’d love to have in that class.

Texas defensive back Jaylon Jones thrilled by visit

Another Texas cornerback is strongly considering Ohio State.

Cibolo Steele’s Jaylon Jones, a 4-star prospect in the Class of 2020, picked up an Ohio State offer following his camp outing at Friday Night Lights.

https://twitter.com/JayJonez17/status/1010573867818147840

“It surprised me a lot,” Jones told Lettermen Row. “I mean getting a chance to play at Ohio State is something big. All they do is win.”

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound defensive back has 10 offers now, and the Buckeyes joined Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State on that list. The trip to Columbus left him and his mother both thinking Ohio State.

“It was outstanding,” he said. “I mean, the whole entire staff treated me and my mom amazing. They showed us around, the history of Ohio State — the thing that stood out for me was Buckeye Grove — and stuff like that. We’ll definitely be back.”

Cibolo is a little area northeast of San Antonio. The city of Columbus, the campus at Ohio State — it all impressed Jones.

“The campus was outstanding,  just going around it seemed like a laid-back place,” he said.” It’s rich in history, and it’s in a convenient location.”

The Ohio State staff and program aim for family feel on campus, and the number of Texas natives on the Buckeyes roster helped accomplish that.

“We got to hang and talk with a few guys from Texas,” Jones said. “They have a great support system for guys coming from Texas, who know what it’s like to adapt to a different environment. Coming from Texas, everyone wants to win, and that’s what Ohio State does.”

Final thoughts before Lejond Cavazos commits Wednesday

Ohio State’s 2020 class currently has just one commitment thanks to Buford (Ga.) offensive lineman Jake Wray. But this week could be a big one for the Buckeyes.

The first potential domino to fall is the Wednesday-night commitment of IMG Academy cornerback Lejond Cavazos. Cavazos will make his college decision from the Rivals 5-Star Challenge in Atlanta.

https://twitter.com/lejondaryy/status/1010695843744116736

The decision seems to be a two-team race between Ohio State and Georgia, though sources have indicated to Lettermen Row that Oregon actually made a pretty sizable push as well. The Buckeyes have long been considered the favorite in this battle, and though there were moments of concern throughout the last year, I believe his best relationships reside with the Buckeyes. That’s why I am riding with Ohio State.

Final Call on Lejond Cavazos: Buckeyes.

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.