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Welcome back for another edition of “A-Deck” (presented by Infinit Nutrition) at BuckeyeGrove.com, where I’ll bring you thoughts, what I’m hearing, inside scoop, tidbits, and more for Ohio State recruiting and team coverage, every Wednesday.
The A-Deck took a week off last week, as I was out of the country, with the rest of the staff holding things down at “The Grove”.
This week, we return to talk about sixth year eligibility, a couple of New Jersey prospects to watch, and the big upcoming recruiting weekend.
SIXTH YEAR ELIGIBILITY FOR MULTIPLE BUCKEYES?
Word came out a couple weeks back that Ohio State fifth year linebacker Justin Hilliard would be applying for a sixth year of eligibility, due to all of the injuries he’s had throughout his career in Columbus.
I’m being told that Hilliard is not the only Buckeye who a sixth year could be in the works for. While many are throwing Jonathon Cooper as name who could get a fifth year of eligibility due to his injury, I cannot validate that at this time. What I can validate is that Ohio State definitely wants to explore a sixth year for back-up quarterback Chris Chugunov, as well as possibly wide receiver CJ Saunders.
With Chugunov, there is a clear need to bring him back to the team next year, as quarterback depth is thin, with just Justin Fields, Gunnar Hoak, and Jack Miller expected to be scholarship players at the position on the roster. Ryan Day likes to have at least four QBs on scholarship if possible, and getting a guy like Chugunov, who knows the offense inside and out, back would be huge. With Chugunov having redshirted at West Virignia, the Buckeyes would need to have cause to get that sixth year. I’m told there is an injury history of some sort, and that they could use last year as a medical year in pleading their case.
As for Saunders, he had another surgery for the injury suffered this year and will be out for the season. It’s unknown right now if the Buckeyes would bring him back or if he would pursue opportunities elsewhere, but there are definitely efforts to get him another season of eligibility in the works.
Finally, with Hilliard, I don’t have tremendous insight, but the word I was hearing is that he’d like to come back to Ohio State. Obviously that can be re-evaluated once a decision is made on a sixth year, but if he feels he has a shot to play significant time, and the Buckeyes want him back, it could definitely be a nice boost to a defense that is expected to potentially lose nine starters. Keep an eye on this one.
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GOING BACK TO THE GARDEN STATE
Ohio State will sign Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional 2020 offensive lineman Luke Wypler this cycle, but that may be just the tip of the iceberg for the Buckeyes at the powerhouse program moving forward.
There are multiple Power 5-caliber prospects suiting up for SJR this year, including 2021 RB Audric Estime and 2021 OL Geno VanDeMark.
Estime, ranked 171st in the country by Rivals right now, told BuckeyeGrove “I talk to them pretty often,” in regard to Ohio State. “They said they love my game and that I have to make it down there for a visit. I will visit in the off-season.”
VanDeMark is ranked 143rd nationally by Rivals, and certainly has the size OSU will be looking for at 6-foot-5, 305-pounds. The talented lineman spoke to the Buckeyes staff, including Ryan Day, a couple weeks back, after a visit to his school during the bye week. It seems the Scarlet and Gray are definitely doing the groundwork to get in with VanDeMark if they so choose, and this is definitely a prospect to watch moving forward.
Wypler is not shy about his love for Ohio State and communicating that to his teammates. He is in both players’ ears, and will be an asset for the Bucks moving forward in pursuit of both prospects.
BIG RECRUITING WEEKEND ON DECK
The biggest game of the season, as far as College Playoff implications go, is coming up this weekend when Penn State comes to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes. To no surprise, it will also bring what may be the biggest recruiting weekend of the year, as somewhere around 75 different prospects are expected on campus by the Ohio State staff.
A full list can be found by clicking here, and as you can see the list is litters with a combination of commits, top Ohio talent, and top talent from across the country.
Outside of commits coming, this won’t be a huge 2020 weekend as far as volume of uncommitted prospects/prospects committed elsewhere, but there will be one very big target in attendance in Miyan Williams. The Cincinnati Winton Woods running back, and Iowa State commit, will be on campus with his mom for an unofficial visit, and that is great news for Ohio State, as they really need a running back this cycle, and Williams is a guy they have homed in on. As Marc and I have said before, this one will not be a slam dunk by any means, and OSU is really going to have to do work here to show Williams why they are the best fit for him. A quick turnaround on a flip, if it will happen, is unlikely, so the goal here is to make a big move this weekend and then bring him back for an official visit in mid-December, right before he is expected to sign his LOI. Keep a close eye on this visit, as it may be the most important one for the staff this weekend.
It is a big weekend for 2021 recruiting, and while I’m not expecting a bunch of commitments here (maybe not even one), it will provide the Buckeyes with a tremendous opportunity to make a move with some of the top targets on their board for the current junior class. Guys like RB Evan Pryor, OL JC Latham, OL Donovan Jackson, TE Sam Hart, TE Christian Burkhalter, OL Jager Burton, OL Trey Zuhn, DL Aaron Armitage, DL Mike Hall, DL Marcus Bradley, DB Bryce Steele, DB Andre Turrentine, and DL/OL Rocco Spindler certainly fall into that category.
I spoke with a few of these guys in a little more depth prior to their trips, and wanted to share some of what they have told me ahead of coming to Columbus this weekend.
Pryor: “I’m looking forward to seeing J.K. [Dobbins] run the ball.”
Ohio State is definitely among the top contenders here, although many feel Georgia may have the lead right now. The Buckeyes have a chance to show a need for running back in 2021, as well as how they will use Pryor in big games like this one.
Jackson: “I’m looking forward to taking in the atmosphere at The Shoe for the first time. I’m excited.”
Jackson will be on campus both Saturday and Sunday, and is actually staying in Ohio through Thanksgiving, as he has family in the Cincinnati area. He told me all of his family is from the Midwest and he is the only Texan in his family, so leaving the state will not be a problem for him. Having that base in Ohio and the Midwest is definitely an advantage for Ohio State here.
Hart: “I was out there this summer, but it was a super quick visit. I’m very excited to see the game day atmosphere. I want to see what some of the players are like, and I am excited to go around and see campus.”
It’s early on Hart. Some feel Notre Dame and Iowa have the early edge. I think he’s still fully open and evaluating things, making this the perfect time to get him on campus. Coming to OSU twice on his own dime speaks volumes to his interest, and in a class that should have two tight ends in it, he’s definitely a player high on the Buckeyes’ board.
Spindler: “I’m looking forward to building more of a relationship with the staff and getting a real understanding of what it’s like to play for THEE Ohio State Buckeyes, as well as what the atmosphere is like there.”
Many feel Michigan leads here with Notre Dame threatening, but this is Ohio State’s big chance to make a serious move for the Michigan-native.
Zuhn: “It’s my first time back as an offered recruit. I want to see what Skull Session is like. Also, it’s their last home game, so it should be a great experience!”
As a Colorado-native, some feel Nebraska was the team to beat early, but right now sources indicate this is a wide open race for anyone to take. Ohio State is definitely intriguing to Zuhn.
Armitage: “I can’t wait to get out on campus again, and especially to see a game at Ohio State finally! I’m going to pay attention to Chase Young and how his craft is so amazing. I can’t wait to see him play live and the rest of the team. It’s going to be a great game against PSU and I can’t wait to see who wants it more this weekend!”
This is a Michigan-Ohio State-Penn State-Notre Dame battle with many feeling PSU has the edge right now. The Buckeyes hosted Armitage for a quick trip this summer and that went well, so this will be about further cementing themselves as a top school and truly making a run at him. Former Blair Academy teammates David Ojabo (Michigan) and Jason Oweh (Penn State) are playing for competitors, which will be an advantage to those programs. He was in South Bend last week and that visit went very well, putting the Irish in the top group along with the three Big Ten programs. Armitage arrives Friday evening and leaves Sunday, so this will be a nice visit for OSU to make their move.
Bradley: “I’m looking forward to seeing Coach [Larry] Johnson again!”
It’s really early in this one, so this will be an opportunity for both Bradley to get a closer look at the Buckeyes, as well as the Buckeyes to take a closer look at Bradley, and get to know him better for their evaluations.
Marc and I will be all over the post-visit stories throughout next week, so be sure to tune-in to BuckeyeGrove, Skull Session, and A-Deck for all the scoop coming out of the big recruiting weekend ahead.
Welcome back for another edition of “A-Deck” (presented by Infinit Nutrition) at BuckeyeGrove.com, where I’ll bring you thoughts, what I’m hearing, inside scoop, tidbits, and more for Ohio State recruiting and team coverage, every Wednesday.
The A-Deck took a week off last week, as I was out of the country, with the rest of the staff holding things down at “The Grove”.
This week, we return to talk about sixth year eligibility, a couple of New Jersey prospects to watch, and the big upcoming recruiting weekend.
SIXTH YEAR ELIGIBILITY FOR MULTIPLE BUCKEYES?
Word came out a couple weeks back that Ohio State fifth year linebacker Justin Hilliard would be applying for a sixth year of eligibility, due to all of the injuries he’s had throughout his career in Columbus.
I’m being told that Hilliard is not the only Buckeye who a sixth year could be in the works for. While many are throwing Jonathon Cooper as name who could get a fifth year of eligibility due to his injury, I cannot validate that at this time. What I can validate is that Ohio State definitely wants to explore a sixth year for back-up quarterback Chris Chugunov, as well as possibly wide receiver CJ Saunders.
With Chugunov, there is a clear need to bring him back to the team next year, as quarterback depth is thin, with just Justin Fields, Gunnar Hoak, and Jack Miller expected to be scholarship players at the position on the roster. Ryan Day likes to have at least four QBs on scholarship if possible, and getting a guy like Chugunov, who knows the offense inside and out, back would be huge. With Chugunov having redshirted at West Virignia, the Buckeyes would need to have cause to get that sixth year. I’m told there is an injury history of some sort, and that they could use last year as a medical year in pleading their case.
As for Saunders, he had another surgery for the injury suffered this year and will be out for the season. It’s unknown right now if the Buckeyes would bring him back or if he would pursue opportunities elsewhere, but there are definitely efforts to get him another season of eligibility in the works.
Finally, with Hilliard, I don’t have tremendous insight, but the word I was hearing is that he’d like to come back to Ohio State. Obviously that can be re-evaluated once a decision is made on a sixth year, but if he feels he has a shot to play significant time, and the Buckeyes want him back, it could definitely be a nice boost to a defense that is expected to potentially lose nine starters. Keep an eye on this one.
Create your own custom protein/recovery blend tailored best for YOU with Infinit Nutrition
GOING BACK TO THE GARDEN STATE
Ohio State will sign Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional 2020 offensive lineman Luke Wypler this cycle, but that may be just the tip of the iceberg for the Buckeyes at the powerhouse program moving forward.
There are multiple Power 5-caliber prospects suiting up for SJR this year, including 2021 RB Audric Estime and 2021 OL Geno VanDeMark.
Estime, ranked 171st in the country by Rivals right now, told BuckeyeGrove “I talk to them pretty often,” in regard to Ohio State. “They said they love my game and that I have to make it down there for a visit. I will visit in the off-season.”
VanDeMark is ranked 143rd nationally by Rivals, and certainly has the size OSU will be looking for at 6-foot-5, 305-pounds. The talented lineman spoke to the Buckeyes staff, including Ryan Day, a couple weeks back, after a visit to his school during the bye week. It seems the Scarlet and Gray are definitely doing the groundwork to get in with VanDeMark if they so choose, and this is definitely a prospect to watch moving forward.
Wypler is not shy about his love for Ohio State and communicating that to his teammates. He is in both players’ ears, and will be an asset for the Bucks moving forward in pursuit of both prospects.
BIG RECRUITING WEEKEND ON DECK
The biggest game of the season, as far as College Playoff implications go, is coming up this weekend when Penn State comes to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes. To no surprise, it will also bring what may be the biggest recruiting weekend of the year, as somewhere around 75 different prospects are expected on campus by the Ohio State staff.
A full list can be found by clicking here, and as you can see the list is litters with a combination of commits, top Ohio talent, and top talent from across the country.
Outside of commits coming, this won’t be a huge 2020 weekend as far as volume of uncommitted prospects/prospects committed elsewhere, but there will be one very big target in attendance in Miyan Williams. The Cincinnati Winton Woods running back, and Iowa State commit, will be on campus with his mom for an unofficial visit, and that is great news for Ohio State, as they really need a running back this cycle, and Williams is a guy they have homed in on. As Marc and I have said before, this one will not be a slam dunk by any means, and OSU is really going to have to do work here to show Williams why they are the best fit for him. A quick turnaround on a flip, if it will happen, is unlikely, so the goal here is to make a big move this weekend and then bring him back for an official visit in mid-December, right before he is expected to sign his LOI. Keep a close eye on this visit, as it may be the most important one for the staff this weekend.
It is a big weekend for 2021 recruiting, and while I’m not expecting a bunch of commitments here (maybe not even one), it will provide the Buckeyes with a tremendous opportunity to make a move with some of the top targets on their board for the current junior class. Guys like RB Evan Pryor, OL JC Latham, OL Donovan Jackson, TE Sam Hart, TE Christian Burkhalter, OL Jager Burton, OL Trey Zuhn, DL Aaron Armitage, DL Mike Hall, DL Marcus Bradley, DB Bryce Steele, DB Andre Turrentine, and DL/OL Rocco Spindler certainly fall into that category.
I spoke with a few of these guys in a little more depth prior to their trips, and wanted to share some of what they have told me ahead of coming to Columbus this weekend.
Pryor: “I’m looking forward to seeing J.K. [Dobbins] run the ball.”
Ohio State is definitely among the top contenders here, although many feel Georgia may have the lead right now. The Buckeyes have a chance to show a need for running back in 2021, as well as how they will use Pryor in big games like this one.
Jackson: “I’m looking forward to taking in the atmosphere at The Shoe for the first time. I’m excited.”
Jackson will be on campus both Saturday and Sunday, and is actually staying in Ohio through Thanksgiving, as he has family in the Cincinnati area. He told me all of his family is from the Midwest and he is the only Texan in his family, so leaving the state will not be a problem for him. Having that base in Ohio and the Midwest is definitely an advantage for Ohio State here.
Hart: “I was out there this summer, but it was a super quick visit. I’m very excited to see the game day atmosphere. I want to see what some of the players are like, and I am excited to go around and see campus.”
It’s early on Hart. Some feel Notre Dame and Iowa have the early edge. I think he’s still fully open and evaluating things, making this the perfect time to get him on campus. Coming to OSU twice on his own dime speaks volumes to his interest, and in a class that should have two tight ends in it, he’s definitely a player high on the Buckeyes’ board.
Spindler: “I’m looking forward to building more of a relationship with the staff and getting a real understanding of what it’s like to play for THEE Ohio State Buckeyes, as well as what the atmosphere is like there.”
Many feel Michigan leads here with Notre Dame threatening, but this is Ohio State’s big chance to make a serious move for the Michigan-native.
Zuhn: “It’s my first time back as an offered recruit. I want to see what Skull Session is like. Also, it’s their last home game, so it should be a great experience!”
As a Colorado-native, some feel Nebraska was the team to beat early, but right now sources indicate this is a wide open race for anyone to take. Ohio State is definitely intriguing to Zuhn.
Armitage: “I can’t wait to get out on campus again, and especially to see a game at Ohio State finally! I’m going to pay attention to Chase Young and how his craft is so amazing. I can’t wait to see him play live and the rest of the team. It’s going to be a great game against PSU and I can’t wait to see who wants it more this weekend!”
This is a Michigan-Ohio State-Penn State-Notre Dame battle with many feeling PSU has the edge right now. The Buckeyes hosted Armitage for a quick trip this summer and that went well, so this will be about further cementing themselves as a top school and truly making a run at him. Former Blair Academy teammates David Ojabo (Michigan) and Jason Oweh (Penn State) are playing for competitors, which will be an advantage to those programs. He was in South Bend last week and that visit went very well, putting the Irish in the top group along with the three Big Ten programs. Armitage arrives Friday evening and leaves Sunday, so this will be a nice visit for OSU to make their move.
Bradley: “I’m looking forward to seeing Coach [Larry] Johnson again!”
It’s really early in this one, so this will be an opportunity for both Bradley to get a closer look at the Buckeyes, as well as the Buckeyes to take a closer look at Bradley, and get to know him better for their evaluations.
Marc and I will be all over the post-visit stories throughout next week, so be sure to tune-in to BuckeyeGrove, Skull Session, and A-Deck for all the scoop coming out of the big recruiting weekend ahead.
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