Breaking News: Brilliant five-star cornerback players committed to the Buckeyes

February 2, 2024 emilysportnews-admin Ohio State Buckeyes Football 0

In Tim Walton’s initial year at Ohio State, the team’s on-field performance was below par, and there was room for improvement in the recruiting department. Through no fault of his own, Walton inherited a position group in need of a boost.

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However, the recent season showcased a significant improvement in cornerback play, and recruiting successes were evident. With the signing of three high-profile players in the 2024 class, Walton has made an impressive start in 2025, highlighting his value to the coaching staff. Securing the commitment of five-star Devin Sanchez early on indicates a positive momentum that appears to be just beginning, with potential further good news emerging on Thursday.

While not the sole indicator, the 247Sports Crystal Ball is still a significant factor in evaluating a recruitment, especially when endorsed by the Director of Recruiting for 247Sports, Steve Wiltfong. On Thursday, Wiltfong expressed confidence in Ohio State’s chances with another five-star cornerback, Na’eem Offord, sparking excitement among Buckeye fans on social media.

Hailing from Alabama, Offord holds the impressive ranking of being the fifth-best player nationally and the top-ranked cornerback according to the 247Sports Composite. Securing his commitment would undoubtedly be a significant triumph for the Buckeyes, marking a level of recruiting success typically associated with Ohio State’s offensive positions, particularly under the guidance of Brian Hartline. Now, it’s Tim Walton on the defensive side who is achieving a comparable level of success.

The already committed Devin Sanchez holds the position as the second-best cornerback in the country according to the 247Sports Composite and claims the top spot based on 247Sports’ own grading system. Whether designated as the first or second choice doesn’t diminish the significance of being highly ranked. If Ohio State manages to secure commitments from both Sanchez and Offord in the 2025 class, it would constitute an unprecedented recruiting class with just two committed players.

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Adding to the excitement, Ohio State is also in a favorable position with Dorian Brew, another top-five ranked cornerback. If things align, the 2025 recruiting class for the Buckeyes could be truly extraordinary. With the goal of securing at least three cornerbacks in this cycle, Ohio State has a realistic chance of landing three of the nation’s top five players in that position.

What makes this news even more thrilling is the timing, especially with Offord’s upcoming visit to Columbus. Scheduled for this weekend, it provides the coaching staff with another opportunity to reinforce why Ohio State is the ideal destination for his college career. Discussing the potential of his class and the caliber of players he could be surrounded by will likely be a key topic. While a commitment isn’t guaranteed during this weekend, it remains a possibility.

Tim Walton’s prowess on the recruiting trail is evident, drawing comparisons to the success of Brian Hartline. This surge in recruiting could potentially elevate Ohio State’s defense to new heights.

On the West Coast this Thursday, both Tony Alford and James Laurinaitis made a strategic visit to Mater Dei, a renowned high school that consistently produces power five level talent. In the ongoing pursuit of top-notch players, the Buckeyes, alongside other programs, are actively scouting the talent pool. In the 2025 class, the story remains unchanged, and Ohio State’s coaching staff is committed to playing their part.

Their visit included a meeting with Jordon Davison, the No. 45 player nationally and the second-best running back in the class according to the 247Sports Composite. Alford has had Davison in mind for this recruiting cycle, especially since the Buckeyes aim to secure at least two players at the running back position. The visit proved fruitful, as they successfully arranged for a multi-day visit with Davison in the upcoming weeks. Despite having previously visited Ohio State last year, having Davison back on campus is considered a significant win.

The recruiting efforts of Alford and Laurinaitis didn’t stop there. They extended an offer to Abduall Sanders Jr., a 6-foot-2, 210-pound athlete from Mater Dei. Sanders Jr. boasts an impressive offer list, including prestigious schools such as Alabama, Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma. Although he is ranked as the No. 426 player nationally and the 46th best at his position according to the 247Sports Composite, the caliber of his offer list indicates the high regard in which top schools hold him. The objective now is to bring both Davison and Sanders Jr. to campus to initiate the recruitment process. In the meantime, Laurinaitis’s efforts on the recruiting trail are evidently making a significant impact for the coaching staff.

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The Ironton, Ohio football program announced that Brian Hartline would be visiting on Friday, presumably to assess the talent within their ranks. One likely target of this visit is in-state athlete Shaun Terry, who, despite not receiving an offer from the Buckeyes yet, has experienced a notable uptick in his recruitment over the past month or two.

Ranked as the No. 488 player nationally and the 68th best receiver according to the 247Sports Composite, Terry has garnered recent offers from prominent programs such as Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, USC, and others. As a native of Ohio, it is highly probable that Ohio State is closely monitoring Ironton to identify and evaluate the talent emerging in their own backyard. Hartline’s visit indicates the Buckeyes’ keen interest in assessing the potential of Shaun Terry and potentially extending an offer based on his recent recruitment activity.

Collaborating as a duo on Thursday, both Ryan Day and Greg Frye paid a visit to the DMV area, focusing their attention on 2025 offensive lineman Jayvon McFadden. Despite being ranked as the No. 410 player nationally and the 24th best interior lineman in the class according to the 247Sports Composite, the fact that the Buckeyes made a special visit indicates that McFadden is a high-priority target for Ohio State.

Having already received an offer from Ohio State, McFadden is now in continued contact with the coaching staff, and the significance of this in-person visit is likely to enhance the Buckeyes’ standing in his recruitment. The presence of both Day and Frye underscores the importance Ohio State places on McFadden as a potential addition to their program, suggesting positive developments in their pursuit of the talented offensive lineman.

 

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