Buckeyes seek clarity in QB recruiting
Ohio State’s pursuit of at least one quarterback for its 2018 recruiting class appears to have reached the tipping point.
Emory Jones long has been committed to the class. Jones, an elite dualthreat performer from Heard County High School in Franklin, Georgia, has never indicated he might back away from his commitment.
But as Ohio State coach Urban Meyer joined quarterbacks coach Ryan Day for Meyer’s only allowable in-home visit Tuesday with Jones, which was confirmed for The Dispatch by Heard County coach Tim Barron, the intent probably was to get Jones to reaffirm his commitment.
The new early signing period, a 72-hour window opening Dec. 20, is fast approaching, and the Buckeyes, though trying to stay true to Jones, also want to know whether the feeling is mutual. He has been courted the past several months by Alabama, and Auburn — just 65 miles from Franklin — has strongly pursued him the past several weeks. 8:30 p.m. Dec. 29 Arlington, Texas ESPN WBNS-FM/AM (97.1/1460)
“There’s no doubt Ohio State would like to hang on to him,” Bucknuts recruiting analyst Bill Kurelic said Tuesday. “But I think the Buckeyes also want to know whether they need to move on, and probably want to know sooner rather than later.”
As Kurelic and Rivals. com analyst Marc Givler said, the Buckeyes still have a handful of quarterbacks under consideration.
“But I think in the next few days there will arrive the point where there needs to be some clarity,” Givler said.
In the case of Jarren Williams of Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville, Georgia, time is of the essence. In fact, time probably runs out Wednesday, since Williams, who previously committed to Kentucky but has been listening to other offers, is expected to make his college choice known. Analysts project he will pick the University of Miami over Ohio State.
The Buckeyes also have stayed in touch with Adrian Martinez, who committed to Tennessee in May but is considered to be back on the market due to the Volunteers' coaching upheaval. From Clovis West High School in Fresno, California, he made an official visit to OSU last month but understands the pecking order in the OSU quarterback recruiting.
“The Buckeyes have not offered Martinez, but I think if they did they would immediately jump to the top of his list,” Givler said. “He is making an official visit to Missouri this weekend, and he is supposed to visit Nebraska next week, which will be the last weekend of official visits before the early signing period.”
And there is Matthew Baldwin, a three-star prospect from Lake Travis High School outside Austin, Texas. Like Martinez, he has yet to be offered by the Buckeyes, but they are interested.
Whether they move to secure one of those three for the class while waiting on Jones’ decision remains to be seen, but Meyer said last month they wouldn’t be averse to signing two quarterbacks for 2018.
Keep in mind that the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29 with Southern California will be four-year starter J.T. Barrett’s final OSU game.
In the wings are redshirt freshman Dwayne Haskins Jr., who entered for an injured Barrett against Michigan and rallied the team to victory, third-year sophomore Joe Burrow and freshman Tate Martell, who was redshirted this season.
A major battle for the 2018 starting job is coming in the spring. Kurelic and Givler expect fallout from the result, which is why signing at least one QB for the 2018 class is imperative.
“I’ll just put it this way,” Givler said of the prospect of at least one of three returnees transferring, perhaps as soon as next summer. “It is very naive to think Burrow and Haskins and Martell will all complete their whole college eligibility in Columbus.”
Safety commits
Tyreke Johnson, the No. 1 safety prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com, became the 19th commitment to the Ohio State 2018 recruiting class Tuesday night.
He made his announcement by way of video on Twitter. Johnson, from Trinity Christian High School in Jacksonville, Florida, picked the Buckeyes over Alabama, Auburn and Clemson among others. He said on the video that commitment is a major part of his life.
“That is why I am committing to The Ohio State University,” Johnson said.
At 6 feet 1, 177 pounds, Johnson is considered the 12thbest overall prospect nationally by Rivals, No. 38 according to the 247sports composite of all of the recruiting service rankings.