Ohio State has wrapped up its final massive recruiting weekend of the spring.
The big news of the weekend came on Easter Sunday when 2023 prospects Bryson Rodgers and Dijon Johnson both committed to Ohio State. But there were also some other notable developments from the weekend, including three prospects receiving offers from the Buckeyes, one Ohio State target releasing a top-10 list, two Ohio State targets setting commitment dates and two prospects with OSU offers committing elsewhere.
We’ll start by breaking down the three offers first.
Booker Pickett Jr.
Four-star 2024 Florida defensive end Booker Pickett Jr., the nephew of former Ohio State defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, was the first prospect to receive an Ohio State offer over the weekend while visiting OSU for the spring game.
Blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University @CoachLikeMike @CoachTonyAlford @CoachTimWalton @CBPickettFences #getmore pic.twitter.com/GbaZMDYvRD
— Booker B9 Pickett jr. (@pickett_booker) April 15, 2022
Pickett Jr. is ranked as the 99th-best prospect and the ninth-best edge defender in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. Pickett plays with new Ohio State commit Dijon Johnson at Wharton High School (Tampa, Florida).
In 11 games for Wharton last season, Pickett Jr. racked up 60 tackles (17 for loss) and an eye-popping 22 sacks. He’s racked up 16 Division I offers to this point, a list that includes Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee and USC.
Quinton Martin
The other 2024 prospect who landed an Ohio State offer over the weekend was five-star Pennsylvania running back Quinton Martin.
After a great talk with @ryandaytime i am extremely blessed to receive an offer from The Ohio State University @210ths @BVAFootball @ParkerFleming_ #buckeye pic.twitter.com/JVsl0iA3lq
— Quinton Martin (@QuintonMartin25) April 16, 2022
Martin is a jack-of-all-trades type of player, as he played running back, cornerback and returned kicks last season for Belle Vernon (Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania).
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Martin is ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect in the 2024 class. To this point, he has picked up 12 Division I offers, also including Kentucky, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Texas, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Martin averaged 11.3 yards per carry and accumulated 902 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground last fall. He also hauled in 10 receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, he made 18 tackles and an interception. He also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in 2021.
Jordon Davison
The Buckeyes also extended an offer to 2025 California running back Jordon Davison while was in Columbus this weekend.
Im Extremely Blessed to say I have received an Offer From THEE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. Thank you for believing in me ! @CoachTonyAlford @OSUCoachKDub @ryandaytime @MDFootball @BrandonHuffman @GregBiggins @adamgorney @CoachBriscoeWR @jnashmusic #MLUYFI #TEAMPALA #MONARCHS pic.twitter.com/ledvlTOmRU
— Jordon Davison (@Jord0n2) April 16, 2022
While the major recruiting services do not yet have rankings for 2025 prospects, Davison figures to be one of the cycle’s best running backs. He already holds 21 Division I offers, including USC, Texas A&M, Texas, Penn State, Oregon, Ole Miss, Michigan, Michigan State and Georgia.
The 6-foot, 205-pound running back plays for one of the nation’s powerhouse football programs, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California), and thus did not see much action as a freshman, running for 188 yards on 30 carries with four touchdowns. Based off his size and speed, though, plenty of colleges already see his star potential.
Bonsu includes OSU in top 10
Three-star 2023 New Jersey safety Jayden Bonsu has narrowed his recruitment down to 10 colleges. Ohio State made Bonsu’s top 10, which also includes Michigan State, Alabama, Texas, Penn State, Oregon, USC, Miami, Oklahoma and Georgia.
Top 10. Which fan base can show the most love ? https://t.co/Jiwim7fHMd pic.twitter.com/7PcJvH6jl0
— Jayden Bonsu (@JaydenBonsu) April 17, 2022
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Bonsu was offered by Ohio State on Dec. 2 and seems to have plenty of momentum with the Buckeyes recently, as he received a Crystal Ball projection to end up at Ohio State from 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong on Sunday.
OSU has two safeties committed in the 2023 cycle already in Cedrick Hawkins and Malik Hartford and the Buckeyes would like to take at least three this cycle. Other targets include Caleb Downs, Joenel Aguero and Daemon Fagan.
Reed and Flores to commit Fourth of July weekend
Is it really Fourth of July weekend if Ohio State doesn’t land a commitment?
OSU landed a commitment on America’s birthday as recently as last year with J.T. Tuimoloau announcing his verbal commitment to the Buckeyes in 2021. The Buckeyes will be hoping to land at least two commitments on Fourth of July weekend this year.
Four-star 2023 Georgia defensive lineman Darron Reed has set a July 4 commitment date, while four-star 2023 California wideout Rico Flores will make his college choice on July 3.
Announcing my commitment July 4th AGTG
— Darron Reed (@DarronReed45) April 17, 2022
the countdown begins pic.twitter.com/tfredpLlVK
— Rico Flores Jr (@lil_reek_) April 18, 2022
If OSU keeps the momentum it gained with Reed this spring, there’s a good chance the Buckeyes will be the team he eventually chooses.
After his April 1-3 visit to Columbus, Reed told Eleven Warriors Ohio State was “at the top” of his recruitment list. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive lineman has already scheduled an official visit to OSU and it will be the last official visit Reed takes this summer.
Flores showed plenty of love for Ohio State on social media after visiting Columbus in early April. He plans on returning for an official visit sometime in June. While Flores has narrowed a top five of Georgia, UCLA, Texas, Ohio State and Notre Dame, his decision will likely come down to the Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish.
Its going to be hard for anyone to top OSU @brianhartline @ryandaytime
— Rico Flores Jr (@lil_reek_) April 11, 2022
Kasper, Harris commit elsewhere
While Ohio State landed two commitments on Sunday, two other 2023 prospects with Ohio State offers made commitments on Sunday that were not to Ohio State. Four-star wideout Kyler Kasper committed to Oregon, while four-star defensive end Gabriel Harris committed to Georgia.
Im Home pic.twitter.com/GeIlsXNHIX
— Kyler Kasper (@KasperKyler) April 17, 2022
Im staying home, What was said has already been understood #GoDawgs @shelton_felton @KirbySmartUGA @CoachDiribe96 @DOMXsports #blessed pic.twitter.com/lwy1LWLK8D
— Gabriel Harris Jr (@gabegokrazy) April 17, 2022
Harris received an offer from the Buckeyes after camping at Ohio State last June, while Kasper was offered by the Buckeyes in November. Ultimately, however, both of them decided to take their talents elsewhere.
Reaction from Rodgers, Johnson commitments
There were no shortage of social media reactions from the Ohio State football staff and fellow OSU commits after Rodgers and Johnson committed to the Buckeyes Sunday, and we’ve compiled some of them below for your viewing pleasure.
Doing big things ! https://t.co/yfm6rTrRWH
— Booker B9 Pickett jr. (@pickett_booker) April 17, 2022
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) April 17, 2022
Ohio Against The World BM https://t.co/1CRnSbiMjI
— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) April 17, 2022
BM#CHO23N#BIA pic.twitter.com/q3HNZID7Jo
— Perry Eliano (@Coach_Eliano) April 17, 2022
BM x 2 #CHO23N
— Matt Guerrieri (@MattGuerrieri) April 17, 2022
How about another https://t.co/v69plYsELL
— Ty Lockwood (@TyLockwood7) April 17, 2022
— Coach Tony Alford (@CoachTonyAlford) April 17, 2022
