Friday Night Lights, Ohio State's marquee football recruiting event, is back for the fourth time and it should be bigger and better than ever. With evidence of 2014's national title on full display, Urban Meyer and his coaching staff will welcome many of the country's best prospects including a number of the biggest names left on Ohio State's recruiting board for 2016 and beyond.
The event, which is a highly competitive camp atmosphere blended into a night inside of Ohio Stadium, features music, videos and a chance to compete in front of the most important people in Ohio State football: You.
- WHAT: Ohio State's 4th annual Friday Night Lights football camp
- WHERE: Ohio Stadium
- WHEN: July 24, approx. 6:30 p.m to 10 p.m.
- FORECAST: 84° and sunny with light cloud coverage, winds at 4mph and 0-percent chance of rain.
WHAT WE'LL BE DOING
If you've been with us at Eleven Warriors this week and part of last, you've no doubt noticed that The Hurry Up has had a very FNL-centric focus.
The Hurry Up: 07/19 | 07/20 | 07/21 | 07/22 | 07/23
If you're on Twitter, here's who to follow from the Eleven Warriors' crew.
Eleven Warriors will provide live camp coverage via Twitter, Vine, and have a recap of the event as well as photos and videos as soon as possible this evening. Last year, the Buckeyes received two surprise commitments during the camp and it's wise to expect the unexpected in an event like this.
Athletes and recruits will begin arriving around the stadium somewhere around 6 p.m. – registration begins then – and although fans really don't need to arrive until 6:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. the buzz around campus will be felt for hours beforehand. After registration is complete, you'll see the campers and visiting recruits gather with the Ohio State coaching staff near midfield for a chance to hear from the Buckeyes. In past years, special guests like 1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George have attended.
After stretching, the prospects will break into their position groups for individual drills. These will begin around 7 p.m. and will feature a number match-ups to watch, especially with the running backs and linebackers.
Anyone who was in attendance for 2013's version will talk at length about the battles between current Buckeyes Eric Glover-Williams and Dame Webb and this year's camp is loaded at defensive back so the one-on-one drills, which usually finish out the night, are going to be something to watch.
The event is scheduled to wrap up around 10 p.m., when the participants will finish with dinner on the field.
Former Buckeye players, current Buckeye players and future Buckeye players will be all over the place Friday night; will you be there?
EVENT DETAILS
Since its inception, FNL has been open and free for the general public. In previous years, a couple thousand fans have come out to enjoy the night atmosphere at Ohio Stadium. This year, off a national title and with a perfect night of weather expected, Buckeye fans have a chance to really make an impact on the players and prospects in attendance.
The jumbotron will play Ohio State highlights and videos. The stadium's sound system will blare loudly today's terrible music that people inexplicably enjoy.
Parking lots near the stadium will be open, but they typically charge $5 for event parking. Fans can enter through open gates on the East side of the stadium with no tickets required. Past events had concession stands with typical stadium pricing.
- One note: it's not easy for anyone to be recognized from the crowd, even for the media who sees these kids regularly, because of the distance to the field. Come for the show, but don't be surprised if some of the details, at least as it relates to who is who, aren't really easily sorted.
NAMES TO KNOW
This list of prospects attending is subject to change. The prospects listed below are not the only ones expected to be in attendance, rather those who have told Eleven Warriors they plan to attend.
Not every prospect will work out but here's the expected visitors' list as we have it. Listed below are the recruits that most people in attendance will be paying close attention to.
There will also be a handful of 2018 prospects in attendance and even two of the country's premier 2019s. Yes, 2019.
| 2016 Prospects | |
|---|---|
| QB | -- |
| RB | George Hill (Commit), Demario McCall (Commit), |
| WR/TE | Austin Mack (Commit), Jake Hausmann (Commit), Kierre Hawkins (Commit) Donnie Corley, Jr., Ahmir Mitchell, Luke Farrell, |
| OL | Tyler Gerald (Commit), Terrance Davis, Gavin Cupp |
| DL | Jonathon Cooper (Commit), Terrell Hall (Commit), Malik Barrow (Commit), Antwuan Jackson, |
| LB | Tre Hubbard |
| DB | Kareem Felder (Commit), Wayne Davis (Commit), Damar Hamlin, Patrice Rene, AJ Rose |
| Specialists | Drue Chrisman (Commit) |
| 2017 Prospects | |
| QB | Danny Clark (Commit) |
| RB | Todd Sibley, Jr. (Commit), Michael Warren, Jr., Decavilon Reese, Kurt Taylor |
| WR/TE | Bruce Judson (Commit), Ja'Vonte Richardson, Keyshawn Johnson, Jr., Dakari Carter, Tahj Capehart, Matt Dotson, Trey Pugh |
| OL | Josh Myers (Commit), Robert Hainsey, Kevin Jarvis, James Hudson |
| DL | Jerron Cage (Commit), Corey Malone-Hatcher, Donovan Jeter, Eric Crosby, Derrius Mullins |
| LB | Brendon White |
| DB | Marcus Williamson (Commit), Richard LeCounte, Lamont Wade, Paris Ford, Darnay Holmes, Jaylen Kelly-Powell, Ambry Thomas, Connor Heyward, Allen Stritzinger, Tyrell Ajian |
| Specialists | Blake Haubeil |
| 2018 - 2019 Prospects | |
| QB | Brennan Armstrong, Sam Johnson (2019) |
| RB | Jaelen Gill, Markese Stepp |
| WR/TE | Remono Newby |
| OL | Blaine Scott, Emil Ekiyor, Evan Gregory |
| DL | Taron Vincent, PJ Mustipher, Matt Jones |
| LB | -- |
| DB | Kalon Gervin, Xavier Goldsmith (2019) |
| Specialists | |
COMMITMENT WATCH?
As noted above, it's hard to predict how an event like this one, which is by its definition unpredictable, will go. Still, there's a handful of important recruits expected that are getting closer and closer to committing to Ohio State. Who could pull the trigger this weekend? Here's a few possibilities.
-
ANTWUAN JACKSON // 2016 // DEFENSIVE TACKLE // GEORGIA
- This weekend's visit to Columbus is the second multi-day trip to Ohio in a month for Georgia defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson. Ohio State has a pressing need at defensive tackle and a blossoming relationship between Jackson and Larry Johnson in their favor. Jackson is making the trip with his coach but If Jackson's father makes the trip with them, I could see a surprise commitment come Sunday.
-
DAMAR HAMLIN // 2016 // DEFENSIVE BACK // PENNSYLVANIA
- Although it's unlikely, it'd be reckless not to include Damar Hamlin on this list. The Pittsburgh cornerback has been to Ohio State more often in the last year than most of the players already committed to the Buckeyes and has continued to list the scarlet and gray among his favorites. He's a top target for the Ohio State staff and the recruiting class and will get a lot of attention on Friday.
-
LUKE FARRELL // 2016 // TIGHT END // OHIO
- One of the bigger surprises of the 2016 cycle is that Luke Farrell isn't committed to Ohio State yet and that could change this weekend. Although he's not likely to make an emotional decision and pull the trigger on a whim, the facts are Farrell, the country's 5th-ranked tight end, is planning to commit somewhere soon and the Buckeyes still feel they're the leaders.
-
RICHARD LECOUNTE // 2017 // DEFENSIVE BACK // GEORGIA
- The country's 43rd-ranked prospect in the 2017 class is making his second trip to Ohio in less than two weeks. Because of that, there's some thought from those close to the Buckeyes that Richard LeCounte could be coming back with a commitment in mind. For his part, LeCounte has repeatedly said a decision would come closer to his signing day, but don't underestimate his affinity for Ohio State.
Of course, those are just some of the names that could pull the trigger. Get ready folks, Friday Night Lights is back. If you're able, get out and support the Buckeyes.
