Ohio State held two practices earlier this month, but the spring session will begin in earnest on Monday as players return to campus from spring break. And while position battles will get most of the attention from the staff, these next few weeks are also very important for the Buckeyes on the recruiting trail.
The staff is set to host several of the nation’s top prospects for official and unofficial visits — the former now allowed next month thanks to the recruiting reform legislation adopted by the NCAA Division I Council last summer, which also included the Early Signing Period — leading up to the annual Spring Game on April 14. And with only two commitments so far in the current cycle in four-star offensive tackles Ryan Jacoby and Doug Nester, each visit will go a long way in shaping Ohio State’s #DYN19STY recruiting class.
That said, we’ve put together a list of prospects who have either announced or told Eleven Warriors about their intentions to visit the spring. We’ll continue to update it, as well, since several others are expected on campus this spring, but haven’t set a specific date just yet.
INDIANA FOUR-STAR RUNNING BACK SAMPSON JAMES - MARCH 17
This marks the first trip to campus for the 6-foot-1, 211-pound James since he picked up an offer from Ohio State back in November.
NORTH CAROLINA FOUR-STAR QUARTERBACK SAM HOWELL - MARCH 18-19
The 6-foot-1, 217-pound Howell is among the staff's top priorities at the quarterback position. He also attended a one-day camp last summer.
FLORIDA THREE-STAR LINEBACKER MARCUS TILLMAN JR. - MARCH 22
The former teammate of Buckeyes cornerback Sevyn Banks, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Tillman was last on campus for the 39-38 win over Penn State.
ARIZONA THREE-STAR TIGHT END BRAYDEN LIEBROCK - MARCH 23
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Liebrock's first trip to Columbus will be the fourth of a five-day trip that includes trips to Texas, Colorado, Ole Miss and Notre Dame.
PENNSYLVANIA THREE-STAR LINEBACKER KEITH MAGUIRE JR. - MARCH 23
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Maguire has not been to campus since the Buckeyes offered him a scholarship in early February.
TEXAS FOUR-STAR WIDE RECEIVER GARRETT WILSON - MARCH 23
The 6-foot, 185-pound Dublin native listed Ohio State in his Top 8 earlier this month alongside Arkansas, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and TCU
ILLINOIS FOUR-STAR TIGHT END JAHLEEL BILLINGSLEY - MARCH 24-25
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Billingsley included the Buckeyes in his Top 7 this week alongside Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Ole Miss, Penn State and TCU.
CINCINNATI WINTON WOODS CORNERBACK MIQUAN GRACE** - MARCH 24
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Grace was especially close with former assistant coordinator Kerry Coombs, but hopes to build a relationship with the new staff in his first trip back to campus since last spring.
VIRGINIA THREE-STAR OFFENSIVE TACKLE JAKAI MOORE - MARCH 28
Ohio State offered the 6-foot-6, 295-pound Moore in February, and this marks his first trip to campus since.
MARYLAND THREE-STAR QUARTERBACK JALON JONES - MARCH 29
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Jones picked up an offer from Ohio State during his only other trip to campus earlier this month.
CINCINNATI ST. XAVIER FOUR-STAR OFFENSIVE TACKLE PARIS JOHNSON JR.** - MARCH 30 AND APRIL 14
The 6-foot-7, 275-pound Johnson is the top-rated in-state prospect in his class and has been to campus numerous times since the Buckeyes offered in December.
TENNESSEE FOUR-STAR LINEBACKER KANE PATTERSON - MARCH 30
The 6-foot-1, 212-pound Patterson attended last season's loss to Oklahoma, but this will be his first time on campus since Ohio State offered in January.
MARYLAND FOUR-STAR SAFETY NICK CROSS - APRIL 2
The 6-foot-1, 207-pound Cross is the former teammate of Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young. This will be his first trip to Columbus.
TENNESSEE FOUR-STAR WIDE RECEIVER TREY KNOX - APRIL 5
Ohio State remains the favorite to land the 6-foot-4, 206-pound Knox, the former teammate of Buckeyes running back Master Teague III. He was last on campus in September.
FLORIDA FOUR-STAR CORNERBACK JADEN DAVIS* - APRIL 6
The 5-foot-9, 166-pound Davis included Ohio State in his Top 10 back in February alongside Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Miami, Oklahoma, Penn State, Syracuse, Texas and Wisconsin.
VIRGINIA THREE-STAR DEFENSIVE END BRANDON SMITH - APRIL 6
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Smith picked up an offer from Ohio State during a visit last June and also attended the Buckeyes’ win over Maryland in October.
HAWAII FIVE-STAR DEFENSIVE TACKLE FAATUI TUITELE - APRIL 6
The 6-foot-4, 299-pound Tuitele does not yet have an offer from Ohio State, but will travel 4,500 miles on his own dime to check out campus for the first time.
GEORGIA FOUR-STAR LINEMAN HARRY MILLER* - APRIL 13-15
The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Miller listed the Buckeyes in his Top 5 in mid-February alongside Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame and Stanford.
FLORIDA SAFETY LEJOND CAVAZOS** - APRIL 13-15
Ohio State offered 6-foot-1, 190-pound Cavazos during a three-day Spring Game visit last year and he returned for the Buckeyes win over Penn State in October.
TEXAS FOUR-STAR WIDE RECEIVER JALEN “BOOBIE” CURRY* - APRIL 14
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Curry included Ohio State in his Top 10 earlier this month alongside Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, TCU, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
VIRGINIA FOUR-STAR CORNERBACK SHERIDAN JONES - APRIL 14
The 6-foot, 170-pound Jones will likely make his first trip to campus with his former teammate, Ohio State linebacker signee Teradja Mitchell.
ARIZONA FOUR-STAR QUARTERBACK JACK MILLER - APRIL 14
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Miller hasn’t been to campus since he attended a one-day camp in June, but remains the prohibitive favorite to be the Buckeyes’ quarterback in 2020.
MARYLAND OFFENSIVE TACKLE LANDON TENGWALL*** - APRIL 14
The 6-foot-6, 300-pound Tengwall is likely to pick up an offer from Ohio State during his first trip to Columbus.
* Official visit
** Class of 2020
*** Class of 2021
