The Rush: Chasing down Matayo Uiagalelei a top priority for Ohio State ahead of National Signing Day, Ajani Cornelius and Jeremiah Byers to visit OSU this weekend

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Buckeyes leading up to National Signing Day was what they would do about drafting quarterbacks, but that question was answered Wednesday when OSU successfully traded Lincoln Kienholz, former Washington four-star commissioner. But there are still a few other goals left for the Buckeyes’ class of 2023, which currently sits at 20 confirmations and seventh overall. in the 247Sports national rankings.

Ryan Day and the Ohio State coaching staff have been racking up the miles on the recruiting trail over the past few weeks and are trying to balance their recruiting efforts with preparing to face Georgia in the Peach Bowl.

“You just don’t sleep,” Day said earlier this week about how he balances recruiting high school players and potential trades and preparing for a college football playoff game. “You know, when you hear the month of December, you think of Christmas, holidays and everything in between. And when I think of December, I think of bowling practice. Think recruiting, think home visits, think transfer portal, think all these different things… That’s what you want, to be in the CFP at this time of year and you want to be involved with great recruits. “.

Two recruits the OSU staff is still pushing for are five-star defensive ends. damon wilson Y Matayo Uiagalelei. Both prospects are expected to announce their decisions on Wednesday.

Wilson leans toward Georgia, but OSU still has a very real opportunity with the Uiagalelei. OSU visited Uiagalelei this week and the Buckeyes are doing everything they can to secure California’s five-star goal. But it will be a close battle between Ohio State, Oregon and USC for his commitment.

Georgia OSU’s four-star cornerback’s commitment will also be worth watching. cain reads to make sure he signs with the Buckeyes. Lee visited Auburn earlier this month and was seen sporting Tigers gear before playing in the state championship, but the momentum appears to have cooled a bit on the Auburn front. Lee will make a final decision on whether he will stay with OSU or switch to Auburn on Wednesday.

Byers, Cornelius to visit OSU this weekend

Two of Ohio State’s top transfer portal offensive tackle targets will visit Columbus this weekend, by 247Sports.

Rhode Island’s Ajani Cornelius and UTEP’s Jeremiah Byers are expected to be on campus this weekend. Byers will be at OSU on Friday and then visit Oregon on Saturday, while Cornelius will visit Tennessee on Friday and then be in Columbus on Saturday and Sunday. we have already written about the success Cornelius and Byers had for their respective teams in 2022, and either would be a welcome addition to an Ohio State team that needs offensive tackle help for next season with the likely departures of Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones.

They may also be joined on campus by former Arizona State long snapper John Ferlmann, who is considered one of the best long snappers on the site, according to the report.

Sperling will visit OSU on Saturday

On the high school recruiting front, Ohio State is also expected to host Ohio’s three-star running back in 2023. lamar sperling on a visit this weekend. The Buckeyes currently don’t have a running back in the 2023 class and would have to pull Sperling out of Buffalo if OSU decides to offer him before the start of the early-signing period on Wednesday.

The numbers the 5-foot-10, 180-pound running back put up this year would be impressive career stats for any high school running back. In 14 games, he rushed for 3,348 yards on 339 carries and scored a whopping 51 rushing touchdowns while guiding Archbishop Hoban to a state championship game appearance and earning Ohio Mr. Football honors.