Recruiting Notebook: Post-Opening Crystal Ball Trends, Browning to Announce in November, Longhorns Make Pitch to Dobbins

POST-OPENING CRYSTAL BALL TRENDS

We have discussed the 247sports' crystal ball feature and when it is – and isn't – a useful tool to gauge a recruit's intentions. This time of year, coming off the hottest recruiting event of the summer, is a time when it can be especially important to keep an eye on. A number of analysts and recruitniks were in Beaverton last week, and a lot of times these July crystal balls may actually carry some extra weight.

The two main trends that Buckeyes fans should know about involve a pair of the nation's top talents whose names should already be well-known around these parts. The Buckeye/'Braska battle for Tyjon Lindsey is still going strong, but a pair of picks for the good guys have registered this week. One of those picks came courtesy of Brian Stump, the guy who runs the show for The Opening.

Earlier this week, Lindsey confirmed with Birm that he will in fact be in town for Friday Night Lights. First, however, he will be taking a "mini college tour" to Alabama and Auburn.

Chase Young has pretty much been the lone guy at defensive end for some time now, and there's absolutely nothing to suggest that Ohio State is fading in the recruitment of the country's third-ranked pass rusher. Since this past weekend, five new crystal ball picks have been submitted in the Buckeyes' favor. Only one of the recent submissions came from someone who covers Ohio State recruiting as a few new Bama and Florida State analysts now have him pegged for Columbus.

After being listed by some as the most impressive defensive lineman in Oregon, the former five-star has since been dropped to a composite four-star after Wednesday's 247sports' rankings update. Makes total sense, right? 

BROWNING HAS A DATE 

The Buckeyes continue to look at a pair of Texas linebackers in Plano's Anthony Hines and Kennedale's Baron Browning. While Hines was spotted sporting some Scarlet and Gray in Beaverton, Browning still appears to be the more likely option of the two.

Earlier this week, news broke that the five-star and future early-enrollee was eyeing a decision date, and those plans seem to be coming together quickly. In speaking with 247sports' EJ Holland, Browning all but confirmed that he will be making an announcement on Nov. 29, his father's birthday ($). 

The nation's second-ranked outside linebacker was in Columbus back in May alongside one of his good friends, fellow five-star Jeffrey Okudah. While a return visit to Friday Night Lights seems to have been scratched in favor of a trip to Austin, Browning is looking to get back to Ohio State this fall. In fact, in his interview with Holland, he mentioned that the tentative plan is to visit either Ohio State or Alabama the weekend of Nov. 26. 

Interestingly, Steve Wiltfong, the Director of Recruiting for 247sports, put in a crystal ball pick for UCLA shortly after The Opening; the first pick for the Bruins. Regardless, a return trip just a few days before announcing certainly wouldn't be a bad thing for the Buckeyes.

LONGHORNS PITCH TO DOBBINS

Sticking with the Lone Star State, Charlie Strong is – unsurprisingly – still hot on the trail of Buckeye tailback commit J.K. Dobbins. The four-star resides just about 60 miles from Austin and hasn't been shy about his affinity for the Longhorns in the past. However, he has consistently stated that he's 100 percent committed to the Buckeyes, though some more visits wouldn't be a surprise to anyone really.

Charlie Strong is still in hot pursuit.

In speaking with the aforementioned EJ Holland, Dobbins hit on one tactic the Longhorns' staff is employing:

“They’ve just been telling me that Ohio State is really far and my girlfriend is at Texas,” Dobbins said. “It’s not really a big factor (laughs). She doesn’t say anything about it.” Via ($)

The Texas recruiting analyst was also asked about the chances of a Dobbins flip if Charlie Strong and Co. are able to reach eight wins this season. Holland stated that it would be "likely." ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Last week we touched on the Buckeye pledge and the likelihood of him moving up the rankings and possibly earning a fifth star following the festivities in Oregon. After winning the Nike+ ratings championship – which translates to him being the most athletic football player in America – and putting on a show in the 7-on-7 tourney, Dobbins fell two spots in the updated 247sports rankings. Hmmmm, neato. 

ICYMI: The future Buckeye went head-to-head with Michigan commit Josh Ross last weekend:

WAITING GAME CONTINUES FOR EMORY JONES

There is finally a bit of news to report on the weekly Emory Jones watch. The four-star backed off of the rumored June timeline, but it's looking like July could be a bit of a busy month. The nation's second-ranked dual-threat quarterback is considering a return trip to Knoxville, but it's sounding even more likely that he will be in Columbus for Friday Night Lights. 

From LandOf10's Jeremy Birmingham:

“I think he’s going to come to Friday Night Lights with his mom and maybe his uncle,” one source close to Jones’ recruitment said. “I think he’s coming back around to Ohio State after the Tennessee visit that kind of threw things up in the air.” Via

If Jones does make it back to Ohio State without returning to Tennessee, then that's probably a good indicator that this one is all but over. Regardless, the Buckeyes continue to be the team to beat and Tim Beck and Co. should have their 2018 signal-caller by summer's end – perhaps even by the end of this month.

PAIR OF CALI'S FINEST IN TOWN THURSDAY

The Buckeyes' presence in California is currently as strong as it's been in recent memory. The commitments from Wyatt Davis and Cali native Tate Martell, along with the continued pursuit of Tyjon Lindsey and Darnay Holmes, go to show the emphasis the staff is putting on the talent-laden coast. 

Thursday, a pair of the state's top 2018 prospects are in town scoping things out. Brendan Radley-Hiles, the No. 7 corner in America, tweeted out that he will be on campus. He's expected to be joined by T.J. Pledger (West Hills, CA) who currently checks in as the country's seventh-ranked tailback.

#BuckeyeNation show @Bookie_44 & @uno_tj some love they will be on a visit tomorrow morning! #GoBucks

— Tate Martell (@TheTateMartell) July 14, 2016

Radley-Hiles is a teammate of 2017 five-star Darnay Holmes, which means we should feel sorry for any quarterback who has to face that secondary.