Ohio State's 2017 wide receiver class is already impressive. Fort Lauderdale wideout Trevon Grimes and four-star slot receiver Tyjon Lindsey both made the call on Aug. 22 in a dual commitment video.
Grimes was the Buckeyes' top receiver target for the better part of two years, and how crazy is it to think that the five-star is currently the sixth highest-rated player in Ohio State's class?
Lindsey is the nation's top player out of the slot and is close friends with Buckeye quarterback pledge Tate Martell. His senior season was unfortunately plagued by injuries to his shoulder and meniscus.
One big piece looks to be remaining at the position in four-star wideout Jaylen Harris. The Cleveland Heights product has had a fairly quiet recruitment, but it's also been one that hasn't quite gone as most expected it would.
A year ago, many thought it would be just a matter of time until Harris joined the Buckeyes' class. Ohio State extended an offer in June of 2015 and the state's top receiver has been on campus roughly ten times since earning the offer. As more and more time passed by, it became obvious that the four-star was content on waiting things out.
| Prospect | Measurables | Rank | status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Peoples-Jones | 6-foot-2, 193 pounds | ★★★★★ (No. 1 WR) | Committed to Michigan |
| Trevon Grimes | 6-foot-3, 202 pounds | ★★★★★ (No. 5 WR) | Committed to Ohio State |
| Tyjon lindsey | 5-foot-9, 160 pounds | ★★★★ (No. 6 WR) | Committed to Ohio State |
| Jaylen Harris | 6-foot-5, 210 pounds | ★★★★ (No. 28 WR) | No Announcement Set |
For the Buckeyes, it's been a question of how many wideouts they could squeeze into the class. Donovan Peoples-Jones was another top target, but the Detroit Cass Tech star committed to Michigan just a few short weeks ago. With DPJ off the board and a handful of spots still remaining, the focus is now entirely on Harris.
Outside of Noah Brown's performance against Oklahoma and Curtis Samuel's utilization at wideout, Buckeye wide receivers haven't exactly impressed the masses this fall. A number of players were looking to make a big splash after the departures of Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall, but no one has really taken advantage of the opportunities.
Yes, Ohio State's receiver room is still plenty young, but with the lack of production in 2016 and the questions surrounding Torrance Gibson's status, it makes plenty of sense to make room for the state's top player at the position.
While Grimes and Lindsey are both ranked higher, Harris is probably the most physically gifted of the trio. Early on his high school career, he was more known for his basketball skills. Now, at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, he's one of the more physically imposing wideouts in the country.
Harris took an official visit to Penn State in October and was in East Lansing last month. The recruiting world has slowed down a bit recently thanks to the dead period. After Jan. 11, recruits will again be permitted to take official visits in preparation for February's national signing day.
The Cleveland wideout is expected to take an official to Columbus and possibly Knoxville before putting pen to paper in February. No decision date has been set, but it wouldn't be a total surprise if something were to go down when Harris does make it back to Columbus.
Michigan State and Tennessee have been the most talked about schools outside of Ohio State, but the four-star's crystal ball still overwhelmingly favors the Buckeyes.
We still look for Harris to end up at Ohio State, even if the commitment is going to come much later than most had originally expected. While still a bit raw, the 6-foot-5 Ohioan and his ability to go up and over defenders would be a welcome addition to a struggling Zone Six.
