Back to the Bluegrass: Buckeyes Looking Toward Kentucky for Emerging 2018 Slot Receiver

By Andrew Ellis on June 3, 2017 at 8:10 am
Slot wideout Rondale Moore could be a player to watch in the coming months.
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Ohio State's 2018 wide receiver board is slowly coming together. Kamryn Babb has long been the staff's top target, and the Buckeyes remain at the top of his recruitment. L'Christian Smith and his father met with Urban Meyer last month, and everything appears to be on track with the Dayton star as well. 

Babb would certainly bring a lot to Zone Six and Smith is one of the country's top overall athletes who possesses the size and hops to go up and get the ball over cornerbacks and safeties. Jaelen Gill has been committed since March and is expected to fill more of an all-purpose role as an H-Back.

The class is expected to number in the 23 to 25 range, and there's certainly a chance that Zach Smith could look to bring in a true slot receiver as well. One of the nation's best at the position resides just three hours southwest of Columbus, and the interest from the two parties definitely appears to be mutual.

Louisville's Rondale Moore checks in as just a three-star in the composite rankings, but 247Sports actually has him as the No. 79 prospect in the country and the 15th-ranked wide receiver. He holds offers from the likes of Alabama, Penn State, Michigan State, Georgia, and most recently Tom Herman's Texas Longhorns. 

The Ohio State interest really picked up a few months back and Moore made the trip to Columbus in early April. It was at that time that he received an offer from the Ohio State staff. At 5-foot-8.5 and about 175 pounds, this isn't the typical wideout that Zach Smith has been bringing in lately.

This past February saw the Buckeyes sign Trevon Grimes, Jaylen Harris, and Elijah Gardiner; all of whom will check in at over 6-foot-3 when they arrive on campus next week. The 2016 class saw the additions of Austin Mack (6-foot-2) and Binjimen Victor (6-foot-4). Needless to say, the roster isn't exactly filled with slot wideouts at the moment. 

Ohio State absolutely wanted Tyjon Lindsey last cycle, but things didn't work out as he was lured to a party in Lincoln that will be hosted by assistant coach Keith Williams; a guy who knows a lot about partying

Rondale Moore is in a similar mold as Lindsey, and while he's not as highly rated by most services, the athleticism appears to be on a different level. At April's Nike regional event in Chicago, Moore recorded the second-highest overall Nike rating. His testing numbers included a blistering 4.33 forty and 42.7-inch vertical. Like Lindsey, he's an undersized but shifty wideout who has solid hands. It's his top-end speed that really sets him apart. Lindsey recorded a 4.5 forty at The Opening last summer.

Earlier this week, a video surfaced of the 174-pound wideout squatting 530 pounds at the Trinity High School gym. The athleticism really is off the charts, and Moore should expect to see his recruitment continue to blow up as the 2017 season gets underway.

The recruitment really is just beginning for the Louisville product. Last season he only saw action in four games due to some eligibility issues surrounding a transfer. In those four games he recorded over 400 yards receiving and found the end zone nine times. He's poised to be one of the breakout stars for 2017.

Trinity is a powerhouse program in the area, and it's one that has drawn some Buckeye attention in the past. Ohio State was a finalist for James Quick back in 2013, but the wideout would ultimately side with the Cardinals. Rodjay Burns started his Buckeye career off right with a pick-six against Bowling Green, but the former Trinity corner has since transferred to Louisville. 2019 defensive end Stephon Herron Jr. is a teammate of Moore, and the Buckeyes are heavily involved there as well.

Louisville may be out in front for the hometown star right now, but one Buckeye crystal ball has already been submitted from Steve Wiltfong, and it's always worth paying attention when 247Sports' Director of Recruiting throws something out there.

It's premature to say that Rondale Moore could be the final piece to the wideout puzzle when that particular puzzle hasn't even really started coming together. 

But that very well may end up being the case.

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