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Scottsdale Trifecta?
It was really just a matter of time before the Buckeyes landed class of 2020 Scottsdale (AZ) Chaparral running back Darvon Hubbard after offering the Akron (Ohio) native in June. The time was this week where Hubbard gave his pledge to the Buckeyes, becoming the sixth member of their 2020 recruiting class, a class which currently ranks second in the nation.
Unlike many of the early 2020 commits, Hubbard isn't going to be going nuts as a recruiter. He's more like Luke Wypler in terms of being a little more quiet and reserved.
"I'm definitely more of a laid back type of person," Hubbard stated. "I'll probably let a lot of those guys do that (recruiting) stuff. We all talk though, obviously we're in the group chat together. Those guys are definitely more active than me though, I'll say that."
But, if there is one guy that Hubbard could help the the Buckeyes with, it's fellow Scottsdale area star Kelee Ringo. Ringo is a potential five-star type of talent as a defensive back and is already turning into one of Ohio State's top targets. Hubbard knows this and has already been getting to know Ringo during his time in Arizona. So while not one of the more vocal commits, Hubbard can still have a role in helping to shape the class.
"We already have a good relationship," Hubbard said of Ringo. "I was actually just talking to him not very long (before our conversation). I was just joking with him and telling him that I wanted to race him and stuff like that. Obviously we play each other this year and that's going to be a big game so we were kind of trash talking a little bit, but at the end of the day it's all love."
On my end, I continue to hear pretty positive things in terms of Ringo's interest in Ohio State. But the Buckeyes have to get that first unofficial visit, which hasn't happened yet. If that step is taken this fall or winter, I think they'll have a chance at the trifecta.
Putting the pieces together
There are going to be a lot of fascinating story lines as the Buckeyes put together what could potentially be a generational recruiting class in 2020. And there are going to be a lot of interesting kids to cover as I've found this group to be particularly engaging.
But for me, one of the most interesting things is what Ohio State does at the running back position. More specifically, how the Buckeyes decide to try and fit all of the moving pieces together as, right now, there are many.
This is certainly going to be a multi-back class. Darvon Hubbard is in, which if my math is correct, makes one.
So now what?
Akron (Ohio) Hoban Deamonte Trayanum is, in my opinion, a much better linebacker prospect than running back prospect. But to this point, he has been pretty insistent on being a running back. He holds an early offer from Ohio State and the Buckeyes are the only one in his top two (Clemson) that have offered a scholarship to this point.
You have Dublin (Ohio) Coffman product Mike Drennen, who is also being recruited to play running back right now and who was very good at Ohio State's camp in June. He's another guy who might be better at a different position. To me he's more in the Jaelen Gill/Curtis Samuel mold and is an H, not a true 20-carry per game running back. Drennen would also prefer to be a running back, though he has been more open publicly (and privately in my opinion) to a position change.
Then you have California star Kendall Milton. Milton is far, far from a lock. USC and Alabama are going to be legitimate players here and stand as good, if not better, of a chance as Ohio State. But if you take one of the in-state guys at running back, you risk turning off a guy like Milton, who is probably the best guy of the entire group.
That doesn't even take into account other potential targets, guys like Lakeland (Fla.) product Demarkcus Bowman. Now, I'll have to see it to believe it on a kid from Lakeland. Those recruitments have just not went Ohio State's way at all over the years and some of them have been a total circus. But Bowman is just one example of a national type of recruit that is expressing interest in Ohio State, choose another kid if you'd like, the point stands.
At some point, adding to this position, even if it's a Steele Chambers type of situation, could be detrimental in the pursuit of a guy like Kendall Milton. So how Ohio State handles all of these options and proceeds is going to be very interesting. Certainly if you could convince Trayanum he's a linebacker, you take him as that, take Drennen as an H, and go star chasing for a second running back. But that requires cooperation from the prospects involved. Going to be very interesting here.
Cain cuts to six
Speaking of running backs, Ohio State remains alive for Rivals100 running back Noah Cain. The IMG Academy standout released his top six this evening and it included the Buckeyes along with Auburn, LSU, Oklahoma, Penn State, and Texas.
No real surprises in the group which in itself isn't a surprise as Noah has played this one pretty straight up and has always been forthcoming about his thought process.
There is no doubt that Ohio State is closer to No. 6 on that list than No. 1 right now and one of those schools is going to get left out in the cold when it comes to getting an official visit. But the Buckeyes have tried to stay involved with Cain through this spring and summer and still have his ear.
Cain has so much respect for J.K. Dobbins and Tony Alford and that has allowed the door to stay open, even if just a crack. The official visit will be telling. Ohio State is very much on the bubble there. Obviously if he doesn't make an official, Ohio State isn't getting him. But I also don't think he'll make an official just to come up and hang out. I think if he schedules one, that means things are serious so it's a very black and white thing for me here, I don't think there's much middle ground.
Gun to my head right now, I'd probably pick LSU for Cain. I think time continues to be Ohio State's ally though. If they can keep hanging around, you just never know what could happen in terms of other schools taking running backs, Ed Orgeron seat getting a little warmer in Baton Rouge, etc.
Takeaways from the weekend
The recruiting updates will continue later tonight and into the week. But wanted to post a few takeaways from the weekend after talking to most of the guys who were on campus.
1. Ohio State did a very good job in getting the receivers around Brian Hartline this weekend. From Rashawn Williams to Rakim Jarrett to Devell Washington, these guys got a lot of time around Hartline and all of the feedback has been very positive. Williams was probably the guy with the best relationship with Zach Smith so that was important to get him and Hartline on the same page, which Williams said happened. No negative news here at receiver coming out of the weekend and in fact I think Ohio State leads for all three of these prospects right now.
2. The Buckeyes appear to have hit a home run with five-star outside linebacker/defensive end Mekhail Sherman this weekend. I have not been shy in my praise of Sherman over the past several months. In fact, while I don't have a strong opinion yet on who should be the No. 1 overall prospect in the loaded 2020 class, I wouldn't argue with anyone who felt it was Sherman. He's a special talent that can play in a lot of different situations and roles in the front seven.
Sherman mentioned to me that Ohio State would be in his top two right now but wanted to keep the other school to himself. If I were a betting man, I'd bet on Alabama being the other school that is currently rounding out that top two with the Buckeyes. But just because Mekhail is talking top two's already, I wouldn't be so narrow-minded when it comes to handicapping this race. Penn State, Clemson, Georgia, and others are all contenders and this will be quite a national battle. But you have to like where Ohio State is positioned right now and if they can get the ball rolling with one of the St. John's kids, it could snowball from there.
3. The nation's No. 2 cornerback in 2020, Santa Ana (Cali.) Mater Dei product Elias Ricks is going to be a tough pull from USC. But if there is one school that might have a chance to sway him, it's Ohio State. Ricks is already getting tight with some of the commits and it was very important to him that he get out to Ohio State versus some of the other out-of-state contenders. He mentioned Denzel Ward being his favorite corner and of course Elias wears No. 12 himself on Friday nights.
Ultimately, I don't know if it will be enough. Someone has to finish second in a recruiting battle and maybe Ohio State is destined to do so here, but I think there is sincere interest on Ricks' part.
