• @core6athletes 2014 US ARMY All-American LB Clifton Garrett headed back to #OhioState February 2nd for another overnight visit. #Buckeyes
• @Niebuhr247 2014 DB Todd Kellly has a top 10 (alphabetical): #Bama #Clemson #Duke #Florida #OSU #ND #SouthernCal #Stanford #Tennessee #Vanderbilt
• @Miles11W 2013 LB and #Florida commit James Hearns will no longer visit #OhioState next weekend. He told me the visit was cancelled. #Buckeyes
• @Miles11W 13' ATH Sebastian LaRue, who recently de-committed from #USC has heard from #Arkansas #Miami #Michigan #OregonState #Tennessee #Utah

Scout$--USAAAB: Hill Ready for OSU '13 SC DT Michael Hill

• Michael says his injury is coming along fine, he grew up watching Troy Smith and Beanie Wells but Urban Meyer sealed the deal, and he cannot wait to get to Columbus to start competing

Scout$--Ohio State Lands 5-Star MLB '13 TX LB Mike Mitchell

• Mike says he bonded with the staff and just wants an opportunity to compete for the starting job. He is recruiting his brother Mickey Mitchell and also has two more younger brothers in the family. 

Ohio State notebook: Meyer gets another top linebacker

Mike Mitchell made sure Ohio State picked up its desired quota of blue-chip linebackers this recruiting season when he became the 21st commitment to the Buckeyes’ 2013 class yesterday.

Almost a commitment to OSU in August, the linebacker from Plano (Prestonwood), Texas, stepped forward near the end of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio yesterday afternoon and grabbed the OSU cap from between those of his other two finalists, Texas A&M and Oregon.

“I’ll be committing to the Ohio State,” Mitchell told a national television audience.

Coach Urban Meyer, in pursuit of his first full recruiting class since taking the job 13 months ago, said at the end of the regular season that landing two linebackers was critical down the stretch. OSU gained a commitment from blue-chipper Trey Johnson of Lawrenceville (Gwinnett), Ga., during the Under Armour all-star game Friday night in St. Petersburg, Fla., and then Mitchell followed.

“Coach Urban, he’s got a real good program going, 12-0,” said Mitchell, ranked No. 3 in the nation among outside linebacker prospects by rivals.com and No. 10 by ESPN.com. “It’s Ohio State. It’s a big program, and they’re going to do big things.”

Meanwhile, OSU lost out on receiver James Quick of Louisville (Trinity), Ky. He picked the hometown Cardinals over the Buckeyes during the U.S. Army game. He was named the game’s outstanding player after hauling in the winning touchdown pass.

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Ohio State Football: Mike Mitchell Talks Commitment to the Buckeyes

The Ohio State Football team received a boost to their 2013 recruiting class when 4-star outside linebacker Mike Mitchell from Prestonwood Christian Academy committed to the Buckeyes during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Mitchell is the 21st commit to the Buckeyes class and gives Ohio State 14 total 4-star players in their class. The 6'5", 220-pound linebacker from Plano, Texas, said he chose the Buckeyes over Texas A&M and Florida State because that is where he felt the most comfortable.

"I just felt the most comfortable there," Mitchell said. "I love all three of those schools, they have great coaches and are great program, so you couldn't go wrong. After I visited there, I just narrowed it down to where do I fit in the best, and where I want to live for the next four years."

Mitchell said he likes to pattern his game after James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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The Buckeyes struck big on Friday with the commitment of ESPN 150 prospect Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett), who fills a huge need at the linebacker position for Ohio State in this 2013 class. This is key out-of-state verbal as the Under Armour All-American was being courted by several SEC schools and has SEC caliber speed and athleticism that Meyer may need to call upon early.

In terms of ability, the Buckeyes are getting a versatile linebacker who can play inside or out in Columbus with his well-rounded skill-set and high football intelligence and instincts. Despite being somewhat light, Johnson is able stack and shed inside and he also has the length, range and speed to turn and run and make plays outside the hashes. He is athletic, strong at the point and a solid tackler but also has coveted intangibles at the position like smarts and toughness that should allow him to challenge for early playing time in what will be a young linebacker corps.

We still feel like he has upside as well with a big frame that has room to fill out and add another 10-15 pounds of bulk and there is also room for technical refinement. That said, we feel like he will be called upon sooner than later to step in and produce in Columbus and help the Buckeyes remain stout in rushing defense (2nd in Big Ten).

Clifton Garrett’s interest in Ohio State remains strong.

Already an unofficial visitor in July for the Buckeyes’ Friday Night Lights -- Garrett (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) watched the camp from the stands -- and in November for the Michigan game, he’ll be in Columbus, Ohio, again on Feb. 2.

The ESPN Watch List junior was impressed with the Buckeyes after Ohio State’s 26-21 win over Michigan.

Michael’s January 6 Recruiting Rundown

Christmas is supposed to be celebrated for 12 days. Many churches in the Orthodox and other traditions were still singing Christmas carols during today’s service. Christmas came in the Orthodox tradition to the Buckeyes this weekend, as Urban Meyer got some much-needed depth at linebacker for 2013.

Having just spent a few days immersed in the world of recruiting, being surrounded by some of the top high school athletes in the country, I have a new perspective on coverage.

With the additions of these two linebackers, the Buckeyes are moving on up in the recruiting rankings and could challenge for the No. 1 spot if they can land a few big targets – including 5-star safety Vonn Bell – before National Signing Day.

I cannot help the fact I’m still in deep thought over the stories of all our men and women who serve our country and risk their lives so citizens of this country can enjoy the many freedoms billions around the world are not privy to.

The fact high school recruiting is now a multi-million dollar business is a testament to our freedom as a nation. While many other countries enslave and embattle their children, our society turns them into celebrities, blowing up Twitter whenever these 17-18 year olds make news.

So with that caveat, her is this week’s news on some of the top 17-18 year-olds in the country:

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