#Elite15 Gaining Steam, Jake Pickard to Camp for Friday Night Lights & Visit Coming For Miami(FL) Pledge

By Jordan Wagner on July 4, 2014 at 3:00 pm
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While Ohio State and other NCAA member schools are in a recruiting dead period through July 13, that didn't stop the Buckeyes from having a fantastic Wednesday.

Coaches and prospects cannot meet during a dead period, but they can text or talk over the phone. Some coaches use this time for a summer vacation before hunkering down for fall practice.

While the coaches might be taking a week off, the Buckeyes' current commitments are not. Now that Justin Hilliard and Jashon Cornell have committed, they can switch their focus to being recruiters.

During their announcements, the newest Buckeyes mentioned their plans to help recruit. Among their targets: five-star defensive end Josh Sweat, five-star Damien Harris, four-star receiver Christian Kirk and four-star offensive lineman Matthew Burrell. On Twitter, Burrell took notice of the talent heading to Columbus in 2015. Expect Burrell to be one of the main focuses of the Buckeye commits while in Oregon for The Opening.

Four-star linebacker Jerome Baker, who is set to decide between Florida, Ohio State and Tennessee on July 11, appears to favor the Buckeyes. He has already received some attention from Cornell.

At The Opening, Cornell is set to room with four-star defensive tackle Neville Gallimore. An impressive performance at Columbus NFTC could bump Gallimore up to a five-star; even so, he has had a quiet recruitment. With Cornell buzzing in his ear about Ohio State, I'd expect the Canadian prospect to generate more buzz around here.

Pickard Coming For Friday Night Lights

After leaving Ohio State's prospect camp without receiving an offer, three-star tight end Jake Pickard was not sure he would visit for Friday Night Lights like the coaching staff requested. After thinking it over, Pickard plans to camp at Ohio State on July 25 with hopes of landing an offer.

In an interview with Eleven Warriors last month, Pickard said Tim Hinton didn't think he caught enough passes to receive an offer. "[Hinton] said he checked off 9/10 boxes for an offer but wants to see how my hands develop a little more."

Boston College, Nebraska, Oregon, Purdue, Syracuse and Virginia are Pickard's current top six schools, but an Ohio State offer would put them near the top of the list.

The Buckeyes are not in urgent need of a tight end now that incoming freshman Sam Hubbard has moved from linebacker to tight end. Ohio State is in a good position to land 2016 tight ends Luke Farrell and Jake Hausmann, so taking a tight end in 2015 might not be a priority.

Pickard will also visit Oregon, which has already extended a scholarship offer, on July 22.

Can Ohio State Steal Another From Miami(FL)?

In June, the Buckeyes flipped 2015 recruit Kevin Feder from Miami (FL). Another Hurricane pledge is soon expected to visit Ohio State.

As first reported by 247Sports' Ryan Bartow, four-star running back Jordan Cronkrite will visit Ohio State later this month. The Buckeyes offered before his commitment to Miami.

Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee are a few of the other programs to offer 5-foot-11, 196-pound running back. While he remains committed to the Hurricanes, he is open to taking other visits.

The Buckeyes are currently sitting in a good position to land four-star running back Larry "L.J." Scott, who could decide this month between Michigan State and Ohio State. Damien Harris is also strongly considering Ohio State. One Kentucky reporter recently said Ohio State holds a 60/40 edge over Kentucky for Harris.

Unless Scott and Harris go elsewhere, it doesn't appear Cronkrite is a serious candidate for #Elite15.

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