Ohio State doesn't kick off its 2016 season until Sept. 3, but fans can get Buckeye-flavored football on ESPN's family of networks starting Saturday, Aug. 27.
The worldwide leader announced its 2016 high school football kickoff slate Thursday. It features match ups between elite teams coast to coast, which means you won't have to look far to find a 2017 blue chip committed to Ohio State.
The full schedule, followed by names to know:
| DATE | GAME | TIME | TV | OSU Commits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/26 | HILLSBORO (TN) vs. OAKLAND (TN) | 8 p.m. | ESPNU | |
| 8/26 | BASHA (AZ) vs. PINNACLE (AZ) | 11 p.m. | ESPNU | |
| 8/27 | PINE RICHLAND (PA) vs. ST. EDWARD (OH) | 12 p.m. | ESPN | |
| 8/27 | HERITAGE (TX) vs. LONE STAR (TX) | 1:30 p.m. | ESPNU | |
| 8/27 | SAGUARO (AZ) vs. VALOR CHRISTIAN (CO) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN | |
| 8/27 | ST. JOHN BOSCO (CA) vs. ST. XAVIER (OH) | 5 p.m. | ESPNU | OL WYATT DAVIS (BOSCO) |
| 8/27 | IMG ACADEMY (FL) vs. GRAYSON (GA) | 6 p.m. | ESPN2 | S ISAIAH PRYOR (IMG), CB MARCUS WILLIAMSON (IMG) |
| 8/27 | AMERICAN HERITAGE (FL) vs. COLQUITT COUNTY (GA) | 8 p.m. | ESPNU | |
| 8/27 | BISHOP GORMAN (NV) vs. CEDAR HILL (TX) | 9 p.m. | ESPN2 | QB TATE MARTELL (BG), DL HASKELL GARRETT (BG) |
| 8/28 | TRINITY CHRISTIAN (FL) vs. COCOA (FL) | 2 p.m. | ESPN2 | CB SHAUN WADE (TC) |
No current Ohio State commits play for Lakewood St. Edward, yet state pride will be on the line Aug. 27 when the Eagles take on Pennsylvania's Pine Richland Rams.
The first Buckeye commit to make an appearance that day will be new five-star offensive lineman Wyatt Davis when St. John Bosco plays St. Xavier at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium.
Ohio State fans will be cheering for IMG Academy against Grayson, as it features four-star cornerback Marcus Williamson (originally from Westerville) and four-star safety Isaiah Pryor.
Taron Vincent, a 2018 defensive tackle who could be the first commitment to Ohio State's 2018 class, also plays for IMG.
Bishop Gorman, playing in the Aug. 27 nightcap against Texas' Cedar Hill, will feature four-star defensive tackle Haskell Garrett and four-star quarterback Tate Martell.
Five-star cornerback Shaun Wade and Trinity Christian take on Cocoa in the only Sunday game of the kickoff special.
