The Hurry-Up: Reaction from 17 Recruits Who Attended Ohio State's Win Over Penn State, Wide Receivers Daylan McCutcheon and Aaron Gregory Receive Offers

By Garrick Hodge on October 23, 2023 at 9:20 am
Jayvan Boggs
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Saturday was a great day for Ohio State.

Not only did the Buckeyes pick up a massive 20-12 victory against Penn State, but Ohio State also made a favorable impression on many recruits in attendance at Ohio Stadium. 

Eleven Warriors caught up with 17 recruits who attended the game Saturday and asked about their experience on their visit. Their reactions can be found below.

  • Four-star 2024 cornerback Aaron Scott: “I feel like the atmosphere doesn’t get any better than that. It was a crazy game. It was loud and exciting! I feel like the defense had an overall better game, like coach (Tim) Walton says, 'BIA,' but other than that we got the win so that’s all that matters!”
  • Four-star 2024 linebacker Garrett Stover: "Definitely one of the best games I’ve been to where that place is rocking. Thought the atmosphere was great and a great visit again. I thought the team played really well. Both sides of the ball made a ton of plays. That’s what they do, they’re the best team in the country and I look forward to watching them every single Saturday."
  • Three-star 2024 offensive lineman Gabe VanSickle: “The atmosphere there was crazy. And the coaches talked to me about building a relationship with them.”
  • Four-star 2025 tight end Luka Gilbert: “The game day visit was incredible. The atmosphere in the Shoe was unreal. The noise level was off the charts and the whole stadium was in scarlet. Buckeye fans are definitely the best in sports! I had the opportunity to speak with several coaches and staff. They all are excited about (Lakota West’s) success. We have won eight in a row and are headed into our first Division I playoff game this week. They said just to keep doing what my team needs me to do to help win games and stay focused on our goal. Everyone at OSU has that winning attitude and that’s what we have at Lakota West as well.”
  • Four-star 2025 defensive back Trey McNutt: “Their defense was really standing on business. Especially (Jermaine Mathews). I talked to Tim Walton. We were just saying what’s up to each other and caught up a little bit.” 
  • Four-star 2025 linebacker Justin Hill: “It was a great experience and atmosphere. It was a top-three gameday experience so far. I spoke to coach Day, coach (James) Laurinaitis and (quality control coach Sam) McGrath.” 
  • Four-star 2025 wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon: “The main message I got at OSU today was be different and don’t be distracted when all these people come to you with distractions, and always let your game do the talk and be an elite person on and off the field.” 
  • Four-star 2025 wide receiver Jayvan Boggs: “I loved it! The atmosphere is amazing, and it was crazy! And most importantly, they got the win so it was an overall great game!” 
  • Four-star 2025 quarterback Ryan Montgomery: “Great atmosphere and it was yet again a very surreal moment to see my brother playing in a game of the magnitude.”
  • Three-star 2025 cornerback Tyler Redmond: “The OSU experience was amazing, good hospitality and a great atmosphere throughout all four quarters. I talked to (program assistant Gerren) DuHart and coach Walton. They both were excited to see me make it up there and they really want me in Columbus.” 
  • Five-star 2026 wide receiver Aaron Gregory: “The energy is definitely crazy. ... I loved it. This was my second game. I talked to coach Hartline after the game. Great coach, very hands on with his wide receivers. I’m looking forward to getting back on campus, maybe in the spring.”
  • Five-star 2026 offensive lineman Maxwell Riley: “Overall, the visit was just amazing. I have nothing but positive things to say about it. I mainly talked with coach (Justin) Frye and coach (Mike) Sollenne just about how the season was going. They played great, beating a top-10 team sort of speaks for itself.” 
  • Four-star 2026 offensive lineman Micah Champion Smith: “My thoughts on my OSU visit is that it’s hands down one of the best schools I’ve been to so far. The experience was amazing. The atmosphere was like no other. I talked to Mike Sollenne and coach Frye. We talked about how I loved Ohio State and they gave me some tips on how to develop into one of the top offensive linemen in the country.”
  • Four-star 2026 offensive lineman Sam Greer: “I thought OSU played great and it was another great experience, talking to a couple of the coaches like coach Frye. Most of the coaches were just asking how I was doing and when I’d be back.” 
  • Ohio 2026 defensive back Jakob Weatherspoon: “My visit to Ohio State was a great experience overall. Although I didn't get much one-on-one time with the coaches, I was able to speak briefly with a few members of the staff. They seem like excellent coaches and people. Ohio State has top-notch facilities and a winning tradition that's hard to match. I could definitely see myself being part of the Buckeye program. While I still need to look at all my options, OSU made a strong impression that will stay with me throughout my recruitment.”
  • Ohio 2026 cornerback Elbert Hill: “Ohio State is a wonderful place I could see myself at.”
  • North Carolina 2026 wide receiver Brody Keefe: "Columbus was amazing. It was my second time up. First game, though. It was crazy. The student section was the biggest I’ve ever seen. Those fans are probably the most intense I’ve seen. They were lined up for us recruits — cheering for us as we walked around. On Saturday I got to talk to coach Hartline a few times. Catching up with Coach Terwilliger is always great. And the recruiting staff is always the best. Sunday at the facility was great. Sat in on team meetings and practice and got to catch up with coach Hartline and meet a few other guys. That was really cool to be a part of. I saw again how Hartline is passionate about development and I love that. Learned more about how OSU really invests in its players, researching the best ways to keep them healthy and at their best."

Daylan McCutcheon picks up an offer from the Buckeyes

Ohio State also offered two wide receivers over the weekend, as four-star Texas 2025 wideout Daylan McCutcheon picked up an offer from Brian Hartline Sunday. 

Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, McCutcheon is considered to be the 105th-ranked prospect nationally and the 18th-best wide receiver in the 2025 class. He’s picked up more than 25 Division I offers, including Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, SMU, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and Wisconsin. 

McCutcheon is the high school teammate of Ohio State 2024 linebacker commit Payton Pierce, and Pierce has already started advocating that he joins him in Columbus. 

So far in his junior season, McCutcheon has racked up 43 catches for 708 yards with 12 receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. 

Aaron Gregory receives an Ohio State offer

Georgia five-star prospect Aaron Gregory became the third five-star wide receiver Brian Hartline has offered in the 2026 class on Sunday, joining Jabari Brady and commit Chris Henry Jr. Gregory’s offer came on his 16th birthday. 

The 6-foot-3, 170-pound prospect is considered the 16th-best player in the 2026 class. Gregory has picked up 30 offers so far, including Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Miami, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and Tennessee. 

This season, Gregory has caught 26 passes for 453 yards with four touchdowns. 

Elijah Melendez puts Ohio State in his top 10

One of Ohio State’s top linebacker targets in the 2025 class has narrowed down his recruitment. One day after his visit to Ohio Stadium, four-star Florida prospect Elijah Melendez released a top 10 on Sunday: Ohio State, Colorado, LSU, Georgia, Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Kentucky and USC.

Melendez has publicly admitted Ohio State has been near the top of his recruitment in the past few months, and that likely hasn’t changed after a successful visit to Columbus. Ohio State would like to take four linebackers in the 2025 cycle, and adding a player of Melendez’s caliber would be a great addition for Jim Knowles and James Laurinaitis.

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