Welcome to your tri-weekly look at all things Ohio State recruiting. Let’s get started!
Official Visitors on Hand This Weekend:
The Buckeyes haven’t had many official visitors on campus this season, in fact only Donovan Peoples-Jones surprise visit is the only one so far this season. That changes this weekend when a couple of current Buckeye commitments will be on hand to watch the Buckeyes take on Northwestern.
Haskell Garrett, a 4-star defensive tackle, one of the trio of Buckeyes from Bishop Gorman will be coming along with teammate Palaie Gaoteote (more below). Garrett committed to the Buckeyes before even making a trip to see Columbus in person, and this will be his second trip since committing. Garrett is the ranked as the 4th best defensive tackle in the country, and the 61st best prospect overall.
Garrett will be there along with his future teammate Wyatt Davis, a 4-star offensive guard out of Bellflower, California. Davis committed to the Buckeyes shortly after visiting this past June, and will be back on campus for the first time since making the call.
With the Buckeyes hosting a lot of prospects over the next few weekends, the guys who are committed are going to be huge assets in spreading the good vibes about the Ohio State program to the other visitors on campus.
Me and Ie fly out to 🅾️HI⭕️tomorrow can't wait #BeatNorthWestern 🌰
— Haskell Garrett (@HaskellGarrett) October 27, 2016
Big Time 2018 Linebacker Makes His Way East:
The program at Bishop Gorman has been plenty good to the Ohio State Buckeyes for the 2017 recruiting cycle as they have commitments from quarterback Tate Martell, wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey, and defensive tackle Haskell Garrett. The Buckeyes are still pursuing Bubba Bolden, a safety in the 2017 class, but also have their sights set on Palaie Gaoteote, a 4-star linebacker who is part of the 2018 class.
Gaoteote has 21 offers to date from the likes of Notre Dame, USC, Auburn and LSU, but the Buckeyes have been at the top of his list since he was offered possibly due to the big presence of future Buckeyes on his team, and also because of how Ohio State develops linebackers for the NFL.
While no commitment date is imminent for Gaoteote, he will be on hand this weekend as the Buckeyes take on the Wildcats of Northwestern. He spoke with 11W about the trip and his ultimate decision.
“Very [excited],” Gaoteote said. “[I’m looking forward to] just to being surrounded by the players and coaches and seeing the atmosphere for myself.”
“Those guys are trying to push me more to Ohio State,” Gaoteote said, noting he doesn’t feel any pressure from them to commit. “I just want to be in the best atmosphere as possible.”
Gaoteote is the top ranked outside linebacker in the class of 2018, and will play in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Game. He currently is 100% crystal ball projected to Ohio State.
[protected-iframe id=”080e5434cc96444bf57162d935d8ac35-114320562-107063018″ info=”http://247sports.com/PlayerSport/Palaie-Gaoteote-at-Bishop-Gorman-160818/Embed” width=”600″ height=”200″ frameborder=”0″ class=”twofourseven-embed”]Buckeye Targets Visiting FSU:
Probably the biggest game of the weekend will come when the Florida State Seminoles take on the Clemson Tigers down in Tallahassee Saturday night. It will be a huge recruiting weekend for the Seminoles as they will host quite a few of the nations top prospects including three that the Buckeyes are currently still working on.
Jeffrey Okudah is probably the name most are familiar with, as he has been a strong Buckeye lean for quite a while now. Okudah still remains uncommitted and has been taking visits to make sure that he knows exactly what he wants to do when decision day comes. He has been to Oklahoma, Georgia and now will visit Florida State.
Baron Browning also will be in attendance Saturday night, making his third official visit this fall after visits to Michigan and Alabama. He still has two remaining after this one when he will travel to UCLA on Nov. 18th and to Ohio State for the Michigan game on Nov. 26th. He will make his decision on November 29th, so the Buckeyes getting the last chance to impress will be important. Texas is a team that hasn’t received an official visit, but will be one to still watch especially if Charlie Strong is let go, and the Longhorns bring in a big name.
[protected-iframe id=”e417629c5038699fd0241e953c34d092-114320562-107063018″ info=”http://247sports.com/PlayerSport/Baron-Browning-at-Kennedale-131298/Embed” width=”600″ height=”200″ frameborder=”0″ class=”twofourseven-embed”]Cam Akers, who has been trending away from the Buckeyes for the past few months will also be on hand. Ohio State still leads in the crystal ball projections, but Ole Miss and Florida State have been on the rise for Akers who may want to stay down south to play ball. Akers will also visit Michigan November 19th on an official visit, and does not have an official set up for Ohio State as of yet.
[protected-iframe id=”d9e93dece91c020f0666abeadeebfcca-114320562-107063018″ info=”http://247sports.com/PlayerSport/Cam-Akers-at-Clinton-108857/Embed” width=”600″ height=”200″ frameborder=”0″ class=”twofourseven-embed”]https://twitter.com/baronbrwnng/status/791418548258123777
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