Eleven Warriors

2013 Massillon (OH) Washington CB/WR Gareon Conley is one of the Buckeyes' biggest remaining targets. The 6-1/170 pound senior de-committed from Michigan last Tuesday. He was in attendance for the Ohio State Michigan game and it sounds like he had a good time. Below is the latest on Gareon's recruitment:

• He said his in-home with Ohio State coaches last Thursday went "good."
• He was in attendance for the Michigan game and went into the locker room afterward.
• Said he enjoyed the game, "Felt like I was watching our rivalry game."
• He's taking his official this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Dec. 5-7).
• What hes looking forward to seeing: "I don't know what's there, so I'm looking forward to seeing everything."
• More: "I just want to see what Ohio State has to offer because I really like them."
• Has NOT set up any other official visits.
• Said it would be fair to say he's still considering Ohio State, Michigan, and Cincinnati.
• Said he may take officials to Michigan and Cincy.
• Does not know when he'll decide.

This is a very big recruiting weekend for Ohio State. Many commits and major targets like Mike Mitchell, Conley, David Dawson, Skai Moore, and others will be on campus. Will have more info on Gareon and other visitors once visits wrap up. Stay tuned.

2013 Cleveland Heights (OH) High School WR Shelton Gibson is one of the biggest remaining targets on the Buckeyes' recruiting board. The 5-10/175 pound wideout would fill a big need for the Buckeyes (an offensive play-maker). I chatted with Cleveland Heights Coach, Jeff Rotsky about Shelton's recruitment last night. Here's the latest:

• Ohio State: "He likes Coach Meyer quite a bit, he also like Coach Zach Smith, the receivers Coach. He was there this summer and performed really well at the football camp. He has really liked his game visits too."
• Visits: "He'll visit West Virginia (this weekend) and Ohio State (in January). For the rest of the visits, we have some decisions to make. Whether he wants to go as far as Oregon or to see what happens with some of the Florida schools. He might even visit Nebraska. The key is to find a good coaching staff, that will treat him well and use him in multiple ways, whether it be at receiver, kick returner, or punt returner."
• Army Ceremony: "Today (Thursday) was a great day for him. The army bowl came in and gave him a great ceremony. The ceremony was unbelievable. There were a two-three reps from the Army there, got his jersey, and gave a great speech."
• OSU Leader: "I would say so, yes. He has built a really strong relationship with Coach Meyer and so I have I. I was proud to sent Kyle Dodson to Ohio State last year and he really likes it in Columbus, he had the redshirt this year because of his shoulder, but he'll be ready to go next year. Coach Meyer also treats him like a son."
• Timetable: "I'm not sure, it's whenever it feels right in his heart and soul. It could be in a few weeks or in February."
• Factors: "Who's going to look out for him, if something bad happens back home, who's going to take him in? Football wise, the offense, he fits great in the spread. He's a Percy Harvin., Tavon Austin type of player."
• Strengths: Fast, competitive, shifty. 
• Wants to compete for early playing time.

2014 Oak Park (IL) LB Nile Sykes is one of the best linebackers in the state of Illinois in the class of 2014 along with Clifton Garrett and others. He was in Columbus Saturday to take in the Ohio State-Michigan game.

I caught up with him to find out how his visit went and more. Keep reading to learn more about rising 2014 LB Nile Sykes:

• Visit/Game: "I saw a great game, one of the best rivalries in football. Before the game I spoke to Coach Vrabel. He told me thanks for coming and to keep calling. After the game I went into the locker room and listened to Coach Meyer's speech."
• Potential offer: "We didn't talk about one. They've told me I'm high on their recruiting list. I know they're interested and think I can play at a high level. I've been meaning to ask about an offer, but I don't know how to go about that. I'm just being patient.
• If OSU offer's?: "It would mean a lot. They're one of the top schools I would like to go to if I got the opportunity."
• Timetable: "Possibly after next summer or mid-way through football season. I think with another summer of camps with my Core 6 team I could possibly earn more offers."
• Factors: "Number one is education, I think I want to major in business or sports medicine. I also want to go to a school where the football is strong.
• Goals: "I want to have a great senior season. I want to be All-State, maybe with an All-American mention. Somewhere around 80+ tackles. This year started out rough because of my injury, so I want to have a really strong year next year."

One of the top running backs in the Midwest in the 2014 class is Chicago (IL) De La Salle Institute RB Mikale Wilbon. Wilbon has been to Columbus many times, usually with teammate Jamarco Jones.

I caught up with Wilbon to find out how his visit went and more:

• Visit: "It was a great overall experience. It was the best visit/game experience I've had. We toured the campus and went to the basketball game Friday night. Saturday we went to the game, met coaches, and other recruits. It was a great experience."
• The Game: "The fans were crazy. There wasn't a dead moment. They were on their feet from first to fourth quarter."
• Coaches: "I talked with Coach Vrabel and Coach Drayton. I also talked to Coach Meyer Friday."
• Drayton: "I probably talked to coach Drayton the most. He was saying he was going to do his homework and get back to me. I'm hoping an offer could be coming."
• Leaders: No school is leading or anything. The Ohio State visit was the best, but there are no leaders at this point."
• Timetable: "Probably at the end of my senior year. I want to take a look at every program I like."
• Factors: "The biggest factor is education. Other than that: A good fan base, good coaches, an offense that fits my playing style, and good teammates."

I spoke to 2013 LB target Trey Johnson's coach, Todd Wofford once again a couple of hours ago to get the scoop on Trey's official visit to Ohio State this past weekend. Here's what I found out:

• Visit: "He's really excited about it. Trey and his dad both had a great time there. He really liked the atmosphere, the team, and how they got along. He liked the facilities and stadium a lot too."
• Coaches: "He talked to Coach Fickell and Coach Meyer. They told him he could play as early as next year because fits what they need at linebacker with his athleticism and speed."
• Chizik/Auburn: "It's pretty big because that's the staff he committed to and the staff that had recruited him for a long time. Plus not having a Coach puts them in a bad spot for them."
• Visits: "He's taking visits to Florida and Penn State next month, then is going to visit USC in January."
• Timetable: "He's not quite ready yet. I don't think he wants to rush anything, but he knows the clock is ticking and signing day is coming up. I think he wants to make it official a couple of weeks before signing day to help  the school he chooses recruit."
• Looking for..."He's looking for stability, that's number one, how he fits into the scheme, and coaches."
• Leader: "I wouldn't necessarily say Auburn is in the lead. He's most familiar with the school, but not the coaching staff. They have just as much of a chance as the other schools."
• In-home visits: "Coach Fickell is coming Wednesday, USC tomorrow, and Florida later in the week."

I'll be keeping in touch with Coach Wofford for information on Johnson's recruitment.

I spoke with 13' LB Trey Johnson's (Soft Auburn commit) Coach, Todd Wofford earlier tonight to get details on the official visit Trey will be taking to Columbus this weekend. I will be talking to Coach Wofford again after the visit to find out how things went. Here are the visit details:

• His flight lands today (Friday) at 1:30 PM EST. and he leaves Sunday.
• The visit: "It's huge everyone (Auburn, OSU, SC, UF) has a legit shot. His dad is going with him which is big because his dad plays an important role in his decision. This visit will set the standard for the other visits."
• Trey is excited: "I spoke to him today and he's very excited. Hes heard great things about the history of the Ohio State-Michigan game and can't wait to see it."
• Timetable: "There's not set time right now. He knows signing day is coming up and has these visits set up. If he feels good on a visit, he could do it then, but we really haven't set anything."
• Factors: "Stability of staff, defensive scheme, personnel, how he gets along with the team, and the school itself."
• OSU recruiters: "Coach Meyer and Coach Fickell. They talk to him about how quickly he could make an impact and they also talk about a lot of non-football stuff.
• Auburn: "Auburn is what he knows the most. He's most familiar with their school and that's what their advantage is."

2013 H-back/LB William Houston is an under the radar player hailing from Dublin Scioto (OH) High School, just miles from campus. Houston does not yet hold on offer from the Bucks, but does hold a preferred walk-on offer, with the possibility of landing a scholarship offer in the future. I caught up with Houston to get the latest on his visit to Ohio State and much more. Keep reading to find out more about 2013 recruiting target, William Houston.

2013 RB commit Ezekiel Elliott took in his first Ohio State game this past Saturday when the Buckeyes took on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Elliott committed to the Buckeyes April 1st and has remained solid in his commitment ever since. I caught up with Elliott to find out how he liked his first game experience at the Shoe'. Keep reading to find out more info on RB commit, Ezekiel Elliott.

One of the top in-state signal callers in the 2014 class is Louisville (OH) QB Joey Duckworth. Duckworth flew under the radar until he had solid camp performances in June and at FNL. Since then interest in Duckworth has picked up. Duckworth was in attendance for the UCF game this past Saturday. We caught up with Duckworth to get the latest on his recruitment. Here's what he had to say:

• Season to this point: "It's going pretty well. We're 2-1 right now. I have about 705 passing yards and 6 touchdowns."
• UCF game: "It was awesome. We got there a little bit late so we didn't get to go on the field before the game. The seats were great. They were in the second row."
• Contact with OSU: "Coach Herman wished me luck over Facebook and told me to call him, so I'll be calling him soon. We talked at the camps this summer and I've been getting mail from Ohio State."
• Future visits: "I'm going to the Michigan State-Notre Dame game this Saturday at 8:00. I'll also be visiting other schools, but I haven't planned all my visits."
• Main interests: "I've been getting a lot of mail from Indiana, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State."
• Factors: "Academics, how I fit in the offense, and facilities."
• Timetable: "I definitely want to decide before my senior season, so probably sometime next summer."
• Free time: "I like to hang out with my friends and lift weights."
• Upcoming games: "We play Marlington Friday. They have Dymonte Thomas, who's going to Michigan. It's a big game for us."

Duckworth is one of many QBs on the Buckeyes' radar in the 2014 class. Right now word is the staff only plans on taking one QB in the class, but I think they end up taking two.

With the Buckeyes only taking one running back in the 2013 class, St. Louis (MO) half back, Ezekiel Elliott, it's time to look ahead to running backs that could potentially be in the 2014 class. One of the top 2014 targets is Chicago (IL) De la Salle Institute running back, Mikale Wilbon. The Buckeyes have yet to extend an offer to Wilbon, but I feel he could get one once the staff see him play a few games this year. The only offer Wilbon holds to this date is an offer from Purdue. Other schools showing interest is Wilbon, but like the Buckeyes have not yet offered are Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan State, and Wisconsin. I caught up with Mikale to talk about his communication with the staff and experience at Friday Night Lights: Keep reading to get the latest on rising 2014 running back, Mikale Wilbon.