Wrapping up Florida
About three and a half days this past week were spent in the state of Florida checking on Ohio State targets. We wrapped up South Florida on Wednesday evening before heading into the middle of the state to the Orlando and Tampa areas.
Our lone stop in the Orlando area was at Apopka Wekiva High School where a pair of defensive targets in linebacker/defensive end Rian Davis and defensive tackle Tyler Davis reside. Rian is an interesting case. He seems to really like Ohio State and as of today I'd put the Buckeyes in really strong shape to make his top three.
But linebacker isn't a huge priority position right now and there are some other guys at defensive end that I believe are taking priority. But he's not in the "definitely out" category in my mind. I'm told Ohio State definitely likes him and the more time this situation has to marinate and let some other targets come off the board, the better the chances are of Rian ultimately ending up in the class.
Tyler Davis is also an interesting situation because of the uncertainty at defensive tackle. As I've said before, I've been told that Ohio State is operating under a 0-1 number at defensive tackle in this class. I personally do not believe they will go without signing a defensive tackle. I think they'll end up taking at least one, but it does make things interesting right now at that position with so little room at the Inn.
In Tyler's case, I believe he is pretty high on the wish list at the position and I don't believe he would be turned away. Just too much information coming from OSU channels that he is a guy that the Buckeye staff really likes.
I suspect they'll take an official visit together to Ohio State at some point, possibly this summer. They both expressed the desire to make a decision before their senior seasons but things like that change all the time and I'm still not convinced that the kids in this 2019 class fully understand when they can and can't take official visits. I think there are a lot of guys out there right now that don't realize what the actual window is and that are expecting to take more officials this summer than they'll be able to and thus will end up having to move things back once they realize the whole setup.
Ultimately I view Ohio State as a serious contender for both players. It could be tricky to get Tyler without taking Rian, that's a bridge they might have to cross at some point. If they recruit both hard, they have about as good of a chance as anyone here at this point.
From Apopka, it was on to IMG Academy. There was a lot to digest on that trip. Class of 2020 defensive back Lejond Cavazos appears to simply be waiting for Ohio State to say "ok, jump". An enormous lead right now for Ohio State in that recruitment. It was not our idea to take the picture of him making the 'O'.
Rivals100 running back Noah Cain gave some very interesting comments about his relationship with Ohio State still being very strong. Noah's comments weren't entirely different from what we've recently reported on Kenny McIntosh, but I do think there is a difference here. I think Ohio State is being more active in recruiting Cain right now than McIntosh. I also think there is a little bit of suspense building going on with McIntosh keeping Ohio State in the picture because it looks good to keep Ohio State in the picture. The stuff with Cain is, in my opinion, a little bit more real at this juncture.
Five-star running back Trey Sanders also says he is keeping up with Ohio State. I have absolutely no doubt that Ohio State would love to land Sanders. I also think it's a pipe dream. I'd be very surprised if he left the South. But if you're Ohio State you're in a position where you can afford to take some swings and see if the kid will visit.
Then there is Rivals100 defensive end Nolan Smith who is in 'no interviews' mode right now. Got what we needed on that one, however, without Nolan going on record on camera. Not a big change there from where things were at during my trip there in late February. Nolan is still talking to Larry Johnson and he is still saying that he is going to make an official visit to Ohio State.
We'll see.
I have Nolan in the Jadon Haselwood category. I think he drives UGA fans out of their minds all the way into the winter before ultimately sticking with the Bulldogs. He is so talented that you have to try though if you're Ohio State.
We wrapped up with Tampa (Fla.) Chamberlain defensive back Johnny Dixon who has Ohio State in his top five. Greg Schiano has been working that one as Taver Johnson is starting to get more involved. That's one I'd kind of put on the back-burner and see what happens this summer. There hasn't been an unofficial visit at this point, which makes this one tough to pull off on just one official, but the relationship with Schiano is pretty strong. Just kind of in wait-and-see mode on this one to see what comes together this summer.
Nashville notes
Spent the day Sunday at the Rivals Camp Series event in Nashville (Tenn.) where about a half dozen Ohio State targets competed. Ohio State was a school that got brought up a lot by many Nashville area prospects and also some guys from outside of the state of Tennessee who were there.
I'm just going to go down the list quickly with some thoughts on each guy and my assessment of their situation with Ohio State.
Thought the four-star receiver had a really good day today. He's got some size to him and he can really run. Ohio State is involved and he is speaking very highly of them at the moment but I think there are a few others held in higher regard right now. Would guess Wilhoite ends up somewhere else but like a few others we're discussing in this Skull Session, let's see what happens this summer with a possible visit as well as just the general movement of other wide receiver targets over the next couple of months.
The four-star receiver looked noticeably faster and more explosive today than he was when I last saw him. He's willing to camp at Ohio State to show the coaching staff that he does have enough speed to separate. There is no question that Ohio State is the preferred destination on this one but there have been questions about Trey's speed. Right now I have him on the outside looking in, we'll see if shaving some time off his 40 and showing a little more lateral quickness in front of the coaches in June can change that. Trey seems pretty motivated by the speed questions and it has been an emphasis of his this off-season to improve on his times.
The corner position is so interesting right now because it just doesn't feel like Ohio State has picked out its favorites yet. That is understandable with a new CB's coach and so many guys that are bunched closely together in ability. File yet another one here in the, wait and see what they do this summer category. Ohio State is in the top handful or so here.
The four-star corner tried to make it up to Columbus in April but those plans fell through. Look for Otey to come up with Knox in June and work out for Taver Johnson. Like Trey, I'd have him on the outside looking in as things stand today but he's willing to camp and he'll have an opportunity to work out for the new cornerbacks coach.
The four-star defensive lineman is still keeping up with Ohio State assistant coaches Larry Johnson and Tony Alford. While Anderson could play inside or outside at the next level, I'm told Ohio State likes Anderson as a three-technique for their scheme. Anderson is in that wait-and-see category for me, let's see if he sets up the summer visit. Ohio State is being picky at this spot and this is one is kind of teetering on the edge where it could go either way.
Another kid that loves Ohio State but I'm not sure how hard the Buckeyes are recruiting him. Zach Smith is keeping up with him and Ohio State is recruiting him as a receiver, as are all of his other contenders. Milton told me he has no desire to play safety so schools will need to recruit him on offense. I'd have him behind a few guys on the board right now, including Knox, so something will have to give here in order for this to come to fruition.
First time really getting a good look at the St. Louis area speedster. Williams is really smooth, he just glides out there and he has tremendous top end speed. He ran a 10.5 100-meters last year as a sophomore so he is definitely a guy who can take the top off the defense. Ohio State is the team to beat here, followed by Oregon. Ohio State has a ton of irons in the fire at wide receiver. I think Williams is closer to the top of the list than the bottom of the list of guys they are recruiting at this position, but this one has some fluidity because of all of the guys they are in on at this position. No doubt that they have an excellent chance here and I could see this one coming together depending on how many wide receivers they decide to go with in 2019.
Smith set to decide
Rivals100 linebacker/defensive end Brandon Smith has set a decision date for May 21st. This is probably not great news for Ohio State. Penn State has been the presumed leader here with Ohio State being a prime upset contender.
The safe bet is on Smith rolling with Penn State if he goes through with a May 21st decision.
About three and a half days this past week were spent in the state of Florida checking on Ohio State targets. We wrapped up South Florida on Wednesday evening before heading into the middle of the state to the Orlando and Tampa areas.
Our lone stop in the Orlando area was at Apopka Wekiva High School where a pair of defensive targets in linebacker/defensive end Rian Davis and defensive tackle Tyler Davis reside. Rian is an interesting case. He seems to really like Ohio State and as of today I'd put the Buckeyes in really strong shape to make his top three.
But linebacker isn't a huge priority position right now and there are some other guys at defensive end that I believe are taking priority. But he's not in the "definitely out" category in my mind. I'm told Ohio State definitely likes him and the more time this situation has to marinate and let some other targets come off the board, the better the chances are of Rian ultimately ending up in the class.
Tyler Davis is also an interesting situation because of the uncertainty at defensive tackle. As I've said before, I've been told that Ohio State is operating under a 0-1 number at defensive tackle in this class. I personally do not believe they will go without signing a defensive tackle. I think they'll end up taking at least one, but it does make things interesting right now at that position with so little room at the Inn.
In Tyler's case, I believe he is pretty high on the wish list at the position and I don't believe he would be turned away. Just too much information coming from OSU channels that he is a guy that the Buckeye staff really likes.
I suspect they'll take an official visit together to Ohio State at some point, possibly this summer. They both expressed the desire to make a decision before their senior seasons but things like that change all the time and I'm still not convinced that the kids in this 2019 class fully understand when they can and can't take official visits. I think there are a lot of guys out there right now that don't realize what the actual window is and that are expecting to take more officials this summer than they'll be able to and thus will end up having to move things back once they realize the whole setup.
Ultimately I view Ohio State as a serious contender for both players. It could be tricky to get Tyler without taking Rian, that's a bridge they might have to cross at some point. If they recruit both hard, they have about as good of a chance as anyone here at this point.
From Apopka, it was on to IMG Academy. There was a lot to digest on that trip. Class of 2020 defensive back Lejond Cavazos appears to simply be waiting for Ohio State to say "ok, jump". An enormous lead right now for Ohio State in that recruitment. It was not our idea to take the picture of him making the 'O'.
Rivals100 running back Noah Cain gave some very interesting comments about his relationship with Ohio State still being very strong. Noah's comments weren't entirely different from what we've recently reported on Kenny McIntosh, but I do think there is a difference here. I think Ohio State is being more active in recruiting Cain right now than McIntosh. I also think there is a little bit of suspense building going on with McIntosh keeping Ohio State in the picture because it looks good to keep Ohio State in the picture. The stuff with Cain is, in my opinion, a little bit more real at this juncture.
Five-star running back Trey Sanders also says he is keeping up with Ohio State. I have absolutely no doubt that Ohio State would love to land Sanders. I also think it's a pipe dream. I'd be very surprised if he left the South. But if you're Ohio State you're in a position where you can afford to take some swings and see if the kid will visit.
Then there is Rivals100 defensive end Nolan Smith who is in 'no interviews' mode right now. Got what we needed on that one, however, without Nolan going on record on camera. Not a big change there from where things were at during my trip there in late February. Nolan is still talking to Larry Johnson and he is still saying that he is going to make an official visit to Ohio State.
We'll see.
I have Nolan in the Jadon Haselwood category. I think he drives UGA fans out of their minds all the way into the winter before ultimately sticking with the Bulldogs. He is so talented that you have to try though if you're Ohio State.
We wrapped up with Tampa (Fla.) Chamberlain defensive back Johnny Dixon who has Ohio State in his top five. Greg Schiano has been working that one as Taver Johnson is starting to get more involved. That's one I'd kind of put on the back-burner and see what happens this summer. There hasn't been an unofficial visit at this point, which makes this one tough to pull off on just one official, but the relationship with Schiano is pretty strong. Just kind of in wait-and-see mode on this one to see what comes together this summer.
Nashville notes
Spent the day Sunday at the Rivals Camp Series event in Nashville (Tenn.) where about a half dozen Ohio State targets competed. Ohio State was a school that got brought up a lot by many Nashville area prospects and also some guys from outside of the state of Tennessee who were there.
I'm just going to go down the list quickly with some thoughts on each guy and my assessment of their situation with Ohio State.
Thought the four-star receiver had a really good day today. He's got some size to him and he can really run. Ohio State is involved and he is speaking very highly of them at the moment but I think there are a few others held in higher regard right now. Would guess Wilhoite ends up somewhere else but like a few others we're discussing in this Skull Session, let's see what happens this summer with a possible visit as well as just the general movement of other wide receiver targets over the next couple of months.
The four-star receiver looked noticeably faster and more explosive today than he was when I last saw him. He's willing to camp at Ohio State to show the coaching staff that he does have enough speed to separate. There is no question that Ohio State is the preferred destination on this one but there have been questions about Trey's speed. Right now I have him on the outside looking in, we'll see if shaving some time off his 40 and showing a little more lateral quickness in front of the coaches in June can change that. Trey seems pretty motivated by the speed questions and it has been an emphasis of his this off-season to improve on his times.
The corner position is so interesting right now because it just doesn't feel like Ohio State has picked out its favorites yet. That is understandable with a new CB's coach and so many guys that are bunched closely together in ability. File yet another one here in the, wait and see what they do this summer category. Ohio State is in the top handful or so here.
The four-star corner tried to make it up to Columbus in April but those plans fell through. Look for Otey to come up with Knox in June and work out for Taver Johnson. Like Trey, I'd have him on the outside looking in as things stand today but he's willing to camp and he'll have an opportunity to work out for the new cornerbacks coach.
The four-star defensive lineman is still keeping up with Ohio State assistant coaches Larry Johnson and Tony Alford. While Anderson could play inside or outside at the next level, I'm told Ohio State likes Anderson as a three-technique for their scheme. Anderson is in that wait-and-see category for me, let's see if he sets up the summer visit. Ohio State is being picky at this spot and this is one is kind of teetering on the edge where it could go either way.
Another kid that loves Ohio State but I'm not sure how hard the Buckeyes are recruiting him. Zach Smith is keeping up with him and Ohio State is recruiting him as a receiver, as are all of his other contenders. Milton told me he has no desire to play safety so schools will need to recruit him on offense. I'd have him behind a few guys on the board right now, including Knox, so something will have to give here in order for this to come to fruition.
First time really getting a good look at the St. Louis area speedster. Williams is really smooth, he just glides out there and he has tremendous top end speed. He ran a 10.5 100-meters last year as a sophomore so he is definitely a guy who can take the top off the defense. Ohio State is the team to beat here, followed by Oregon. Ohio State has a ton of irons in the fire at wide receiver. I think Williams is closer to the top of the list than the bottom of the list of guys they are recruiting at this position, but this one has some fluidity because of all of the guys they are in on at this position. No doubt that they have an excellent chance here and I could see this one coming together depending on how many wide receivers they decide to go with in 2019.
Smith set to decide
Rivals100 linebacker/defensive end Brandon Smith has set a decision date for May 21st. This is probably not great news for Ohio State. Penn State has been the presumed leader here with Ohio State being a prime upset contender.
The safe bet is on Smith rolling with Penn State if he goes through with a May 21st decision.
