Meant to do these for the first two — which I kind of did in this morning's column — but here's a few instant thoughts after leaving today's recruiting camp:
1. Winston Watkins is legit. His third and final rep of his one-on-one session says it all. he was one step ahead of every defensive back he faced all day, and this was the product of him not being held at the line of scrimmage, bringing in one of the most impressive catches I have seen in awhile. And he's a ninth grader. Yes, he's committed to Texas A&M, but there's a reason why he came to camp Tuesday afternoon. He wanted to show something off. What does it mean for Ohio State? We'll see in the future, but he put on a show.
2. Ty Lockwood looks like an Ohio State tight end. My first impression of the 2023 commit came when I was walking back in from lunch and watching him line up and practicing blocking stances and skills with Luke Montgomery and Joshua Padilla. It's not something that was expected of him in high school, and he showed why on the practice field, taking passes from different quarterbacks and even head coach Ryan Day and showing smooth routes and a high-level catching ability. But he's working to be that all-around option at tight end. More on him tomorrow morning.
3. Watching Joshua Padilla, Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld work out with Justin Frye was an absolute joy. With all three being commits, the Ohio State offensive line coach got into the weeds with them, working on footwork and balance, while also showing them how to be explosive at the line of scrimmage out of breaks. I spent that time just watching, taking notes on the indoor. Stay tuned for a fun story coming your way soon.
4. I saw some very nice throws from 2025 QB Tavien St. Clair. Ohio State hasn't had an Ohio native as a starting quarterback in awhile — since Cardale Jones, I believe. St. Clair and Ryan Montgomery seem to be the frontrunners in the 2025 class, and St. Clair showed why Tuesday. Really accurate passer and mobile in and around the pocket. Still young and still doesn't have an Ohio State offer. But already has the attention of Iowa State and Tennessee.
1. Winston Watkins is legit. His third and final rep of his one-on-one session says it all. he was one step ahead of every defensive back he faced all day, and this was the product of him not being held at the line of scrimmage, bringing in one of the most impressive catches I have seen in awhile. And he's a ninth grader. Yes, he's committed to Texas A&M, but there's a reason why he came to camp Tuesday afternoon. He wanted to show something off. What does it mean for Ohio State? We'll see in the future, but he put on a show.
2. Ty Lockwood looks like an Ohio State tight end. My first impression of the 2023 commit came when I was walking back in from lunch and watching him line up and practicing blocking stances and skills with Luke Montgomery and Joshua Padilla. It's not something that was expected of him in high school, and he showed why on the practice field, taking passes from different quarterbacks and even head coach Ryan Day and showing smooth routes and a high-level catching ability. But he's working to be that all-around option at tight end. More on him tomorrow morning.
3. Watching Joshua Padilla, Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld work out with Justin Frye was an absolute joy. With all three being commits, the Ohio State offensive line coach got into the weeds with them, working on footwork and balance, while also showing them how to be explosive at the line of scrimmage out of breaks. I spent that time just watching, taking notes on the indoor. Stay tuned for a fun story coming your way soon.
4. I saw some very nice throws from 2025 QB Tavien St. Clair. Ohio State hasn't had an Ohio native as a starting quarterback in awhile — since Cardale Jones, I believe. St. Clair and Ryan Montgomery seem to be the frontrunners in the 2025 class, and St. Clair showed why Tuesday. Really accurate passer and mobile in and around the pocket. Still young and still doesn't have an Ohio State offer. But already has the attention of Iowa State and Tennessee.
