The most interesting big-picture storyline from today's Austin Siereveld commitment: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame was shaping up to be a real recruiting rivalry in the 2023 class, most notably with Ohio prospects. I was really excited to see how that back-and-forth would play out because it was so intriguing, especially with the two teams on the path for a showdown in the season opener. One of those storylines that's easy and fun to write about all dramatically. But the Buckeyes have slammed that door shut.
Offensive linemen Siereveld, Josh Padilla and Luke Montgomery, safety Malik Hartford and athlete Sonny Styles, who was originally committed in the 2023 class before reclassifying and signing in 2022. That's five in-state prospects in this class who Notre Dame made strong in-roads with and at one point became the Buckeyes’ top competitor. Ohio State went 5-for-5.
Siereveld and Padilla's decisions came down squarely to Ohio State vs. Notre Dame. Prior to Mike Elston leaving ND, the Irish were the strongest contender outside of the Buckeyes for Montgomery. The Irish were in the top two for Hartford, and even though it was Clemson and Florida making the stronger push toward the end for him, ND was squarely in the thick of it for Styles as well.
The Buckeyes' only real loss for an in-state 2023 target who picked Notre Dame over Ohio State was defensive end Brenan Vernon. That has to be categorized as a loss because Ohio State would have taken him and weren't excited about seeing him pick the Irish. I would not classify that as a truly impactful recruiting loss. Not attempting to do a "spin zone" here. Just the way things played out there.
Ohio State should be winning these recruiting battles. They're in-state players, after all, and most of them dreamed of playing for the Buckeyes growing up. But the job still needs to get done. And it has.
Offensive linemen Siereveld, Josh Padilla and Luke Montgomery, safety Malik Hartford and athlete Sonny Styles, who was originally committed in the 2023 class before reclassifying and signing in 2022. That's five in-state prospects in this class who Notre Dame made strong in-roads with and at one point became the Buckeyes’ top competitor. Ohio State went 5-for-5.
Siereveld and Padilla's decisions came down squarely to Ohio State vs. Notre Dame. Prior to Mike Elston leaving ND, the Irish were the strongest contender outside of the Buckeyes for Montgomery. The Irish were in the top two for Hartford, and even though it was Clemson and Florida making the stronger push toward the end for him, ND was squarely in the thick of it for Styles as well.
The Buckeyes' only real loss for an in-state 2023 target who picked Notre Dame over Ohio State was defensive end Brenan Vernon. That has to be categorized as a loss because Ohio State would have taken him and weren't excited about seeing him pick the Irish. I would not classify that as a truly impactful recruiting loss. Not attempting to do a "spin zone" here. Just the way things played out there.
Ohio State should be winning these recruiting battles. They're in-state players, after all, and most of them dreamed of playing for the Buckeyes growing up. But the job still needs to get done. And it has.
