11W Recruiting Mailbag: Discussing Ohio State's Quarterback Search, Five-Star Targets and Satellite Camps

Do you think Ohio State has a real shot at flipping California four-star quarterback Ryan Hilinski from South Carolina? - NHBuckeye

In a year without much depth at the quarterback position, I think Hilinski is exactly the kind of signal caller Ohio State needs. 

He’s a terrific passer who threw for 3,749 yards and 33 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions last fall, yet is mobile enough to escape the pocket under pressure. He’s very well-spoken and a tremendous leader, which is a big reason why the Buckeyes offered him a scholarship earlier this month. 

If the staff misses out on — or chooses to walk away from — Texas four-star Grant Gunnell, flipping Hilinski should (in my opinion) be their top priority. It won’t be easy, though.

Hilinski is extremely close to South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp, offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon and quarterbacks coach Dan Werner, and they’ve shown an enormous amount of care and compassion with his family in the wake of his older brother’s passing. And despite recent offers from some of the nation’s top programs, he hasn’t publicly wavered in his nearly two-month-old commitment as a result. 

That said, there’s no doubt the offer from the Buckeyes is intriguing, and that’s why Hilinski is looking forward to sitting down with the Gamecocks’ staff during his next visit to see if he’s allowed to visit Columbus. 

While I don’t believe he has any interest in flipping his commitment at this time, it’s probably in their best interest if they shut that down quickly. 

If we’re being honest, Ohio State and South Carolina are in two very different places when it comes to national relevance. And if Hilinski continues to build a relationship with head coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Ryan Day and visits campus this summer, things are bound to get interesting.

Who is someone you are surprised to see Ohio State has shown little to no interest? - OH2MD

This is actually a difficult question to answer because Ohio State seemingly has its tentacles spread across the country, but there are definitely a few prospects I’m surprised never received an offer from the Buckeyes. That includes the nation’s top-rated prospect, California five-star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.

The position isn’t a huge need for Ohio State this cycle, especially if the staff can ultimately pair Olentangy Orange five-star Zach Harrison with four-star commit Noah Potter. But that said, the Buckeyes have offers out to more than dozen other defensive ends right now — and you can’t tell me Thibodeaux isn’t more talented than most of them.

Similarly, there is not a more highly sought-after prospect in the country than St. John Bosco five-star cornerback Chris Steele, yet Ohio State is not among his 49 reported offers. The Buckeyes have had mixed results at his high school as of late — with offensive guard Wyatt Davis coming to Columbus in 2017 and safety Jaiden Woodbey flipping to Florida State last cycle — but that didn’t stop the staff from offering four-star tight end Jude Wolfe earlier this spring. Steele’s father is originally from Ohio, so that certainly would have aided their pursuit.

Last but not least — and much closer to home — is Detroit Cass Tech four-star running back Jaren Mangham, who is also close to 50 reported offers. I know Ohio State already has a pair of commitments at the position, but he was one of the first running backs to come onto the Buckeyes’ radar from this cycle. He certainly could have kept the pipeline from Cass Tech flowing.

Can you give us the name of someone we haven’t heard much about previously — or at all — who is likely to end up in this class? - Iowabuckeyes

Ohio State’s recruitment of Louisville Christian Academy four-star wide receiver Milton Wright has flown entirely under the radar because he has no social media presence, but he’s without a doubt one of the nation’s premier playmakers.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Wright racked up 1,031 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns while leading the Centurions (what a name) to the state title last season. He also ran a 10.82-second 100-meter dash; long-jumped 22 feet, 4 inches; and high jumped 6 feet, 2 inches.

Wright showed that athleticism when he attended a one-day camp last summer, but he’s still a little raw in his route-running and overall technique. It’s a three-way battle between Alabama, Louisville and Ohio State, but I think the Buckeyes can pull themselves back into the lead if they miss out on a few other higher-rated wideouts. Wright has no timetable for a decision, so that certainly helps.

Which satellite camps are Ohio State’s coaches attending and which recruits are they hoping to see there? - Bakerjon

The NCAA technically banned satellite camps last year, but coaches and staff members with “football-specific responsibilities” are allowed to participate in camps for 10 days in June and July — so long as they take place on a school’s campus or in facilities regularly used by the school.

Programs can no longer host what essentially amounted to their own camp at a top target’s high school. Instead, they have to work out an arrangement to work at a camp hosted by another school.

That said, Ohio State has been linked to a number of camps across the country, including (area targets):

RUTGERS - JUNE 1

• DePaul Catholic four-star safety “Rocket” Ronnie Hickman (Ohio State commit)
• Woodrow Wilson four-star defensive end Fadil Diggs (2020)
• Blair Academy three-star defensive end David Ojabo
• Bergen Catholic four-star safety Jordan Morant (2020)
• Don Bosco Prep four-star athlete Jalen Berger (2020)

LINDENWOOD (St. Louis) - JUNE 1-2

• Trinity Catholic four-star running back Mookie Cooper (2020)
• De Smet Jesuit four-star wide receiver Jordan Johnson (2020)
• Trinity Catholic four-star wide receiver Marcus Washington
• Cardinal Ritter Prep four-star wide receiver Jameson Williams
• Parkway North four-star safety Jalani Williams
• Park Hill South three-star defensive end Etinosa Reuben

FLORIDA ATLANTIC - JUNE 2

• Fort Lauderdale University School four-star running back Kenny McIntosh
• Chaminade-Madonna four-star wide receiver John Dunmore
• St. Thomas Aquinas four-star wide receiver Marcus Rosemy (2020)
• Cardinal Gibbons four-star defensive end Khris Bogle
• St. Thomas Aquinas three-star linebacker Derek Wingo (2020)
• North Palm Beach Benjamin School four-star cornerback Kaiir Elam
• Miami Central four-star cornerback Henry Gray (2020, Miami commit)
• Fort Lauderdale University School four-star safety Josh Sanguinetti
• Wellington four-star athlete Mark-Antony Richards

GRAND VALLEY STATE (MICHIGAN) - JUNE 3

• Muskegon four-star offensive tackle Anthony Bradford (LSU commit)
• East Kentwood four-star defensive tackle Mazi Smith

TENNESSEE STATE - JUNE 7

• Murfreesboro Blackman four-star wide receiver Trey Knox
• Thompson’s Station Independence four-star wide receiver T.J. Sheffield
• Franklin Roads Academy four-star wide receiver Lance Wilhoite
• Davidson Academy four-star defensive end Ani Izuchukwu (Mississippi State commit)
• Ensworth fours-tar defensive end Tyler Barron (2020)
• Mount Juliet four-star defensive end Reggie Grimes II (2020)
• Nashville Christian Presbyterian Academy four-star linebacker Kane Patterson
• Murfreesboro Blackman four-star cornerback Adonis Otey
• Oakland four-star cornerback Woodi Washington

TEXAS STATE - JUNE 7

• Lake Travis five-star wide receiver Garrett Wilson (Ohio State commit)
• Bowie four-star wide receiver Elijah Higgins

It is unclear at this time which coaches and staffers will make these respective trips.

The Buckeyes will, of course, also host their own one-day camps this summer. Those will be held June 8, 12 and 16, while annual Friday Night Lights recruiting extravaganza will be sometime in late July.

Does Ohio State have a legit chance with Hawaii five-star defensive tackle Faatui Tuitele? - Daniel

Ohio State has put itself in a great spot to land its first-ever scholarship player from the state of Hawaii, as the 6-foot-4 and 299-pound Tuitele included the Buckeyes in his Top 5 earlier this week alongside Alabama, Clemson, Texas and Washington. And though the defensive tackle position isn’t a huge priority this cycle, talent certainly supersedes need.

Tuitele already showed a willingness to travel 9,000 miles (round trip) to Columbus on his own dime this spring, so his interest in the program is clearly sincere. In fact, he didn’t even have an offer at the time of the visit.

Now the Buckeyes are in line for an official visit this fall, which is when Meyer and defensive line coach Larry Johnson can work their magic. And, hey, it’s hard to count them out after they pulled Tommy Togiai last cycle.

Furthermore, Ohio State’s chances significantly increased with USC’s surprising omission, given the program’s proximity and pull with Polynesian prospects. But that said, Alabama should probably be considered the favorite moving forward since Tuitele is the cousin of Crimson Tide starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and commit Taulia.