For the first time in more than 14 months, Ohio State was allowed to open the Woody Hayes Athletic Center to recruits on Tuesday, and several Buckeye commits and targets didn't waste any time making the trip to Columbus.
Both of Ohio State's linebacker commits, C.J. Hicks and Gabe Powers – who are also set to make their official visits to Ohio State this weekend – made the drive to Columbus to take some photos at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and spend some time with their future position coach, Al Washington.
The clock is ticking you ready?#H2 pic.twitter.com/nIuLIPH6Qd
— CJ Hicks (@imcjhicks) June 1, 2021
Love being back #Blessed #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/THr84CLb0M
— CJ Hicks (@imcjhicks) June 1, 2021
A pair of in-state offensive tackle prospects were also on campus Tuesday. Olentangy Liberty's Carter Smith doesn't have an offer from the Buckeyes yet, but he spent time with Ohio State's coaches on Tuesday and has been invited back to campus for an official visit, signaling that the Buckeyes are interested in the 2022 three-star, who currently has a top five of Indiana, Ole Miss, Northwestern, Tennessee and Virginia.
Thank you @OhioStateFB for having me on an unofficial visit and to @ryandaytime, @CoachStudOL, @OSUCoachKDub, and @etwill21 for inviting me on an Official pic.twitter.com/wBf0vLQRVs
— Carter Smith (@CarterS6540) June 1, 2021
Smith told Eleven Warriors that the dates of his official visit have not yet been finalized, but said he “had a blast” at Ohio State on Tuesday's visit.
Findlay's Luke Montgomery, one of Ohio State's top targets in the 2023 class, was also on campus Tuesday. He's set to return to campus for another visit on June 22.
Springfield, Ohio safety Delian Bradley, another 2022 three-star prospect who's still hoping to earn an offer from the Buckeyes, made an unofficial visit to Ohio State on Tuesday as well.
OSU pic.twitter.com/Y2idBBkGV9
— Delian Bradley (@DelianBradley) June 1, 2021
Bradley told Eleven Warriors that he worked out for the coaches during Tuesday's visit and that he is planning to make a return trip to Ohio State, though he has not yet set a date for his second visit.
While all of those prospects live close enough to visit Ohio State just about any time they want, there were also recruits on campus Tuesday who made the trip from further away, like Kalen Carroll, a three-star 2022 cornerback from Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Indiana, where he's a teammate of priority defensive line target Caden Curry.
Great day at Ohio St. What a great way to start the summer off! #nobrakes @kalencarroll3 @CGTrojanFootbal @cg_coach_moore pic.twitter.com/Gs1vGGHf6o
— Muncie (@BigMuncie4) June 1, 2021
Carroll, ranked as the No. 735 overall prospect in the class of 2022, does not currently hold an offer from Ohio State.
Jacob Bostick, a three-star 2022 wide receiver from Palatine, Illinois, also made a trip to Ohio State on Tuesday.
Thank you @ryandaytime for inviting me up to Columbus. Had a great time! @brianhartline @Coach_P_Fleming @PHS_Football pic.twitter.com/4pFZIicYim
— Jacob Bostick (@JacobBostick5) June 1, 2021
Like Carroll, Bostick – the No. 592 overall prospect in the 2022 class – does not yet hold an offer from the Buckeyes.
A pair of recruits from Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Georgia – the alma mater of current Ohio State defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson – were set to make a trip to Columbus on Tuesday as well.
2022 defensive lineman Christen Miller, the No. 118 overall prospect in his class, is set to make a return trip to Ohio State for an official visit the weekend of June 25-27.
2023 cornerback Kayin Lee doesn't have an offer from the Buckeyes yet, but he could certainly be a candidate to get one, as he's ranked by 247Sports as the No. 109 overall prospect and No. 10 cornerback in his class and already holds offers from numerous top programs including Auburn, Florida State, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
They haven't posted any photos from their visit on Twitter or Instagram yet, but we'll update this post if they do.
