Chat Wrap: Recapping Ohio State recruiting chat July 23

COLUMBUS — Ohio State recruiting is alive and well. Even if the recruiting calendar is in a dead period, there are still things to discuss, ask, ponder, evaluate and conclude.

Every Tuesday, Lettermen Row starts a chat thread on the Lettermen Lounge message board . As Tuesday has turned into Wednesday, we recap some of the bigger conversations started by our subscribers.

Zbuck76: Do you think Chris Henry Jr. reclassifies? Does OSU land Phillip Bell ? Any chance Jaime Ffrench or Vernell Brown III could still end up in this class? Birm seems to think OSU takes 3 running backs for sure. What are your thoughts and would the Bama commit [Anthony Rogers] be the best option? Seems like getting an experienced back in portal would be more valuable in my opinion .

Matt Parker: Hmm, I’ll say no. Would be kind of wild if both he and Jahkeem Stewart reclassified though. I think Ohio State will land Bell. Last big-time wide receiver out there. Not that this means anything, but about an hour after VB3 committed to Florida, Brian Hartline was sharing Phillip Bell highlight reels on Instagram. It doesn’t mean anything, but it sure means something I suppose. Of the two, I think Brown is more likely to end up in the class, but even then, right now it seems unlikely. In my recent mock class I didn’t have Ohio State landing another running back. But it’s a mock class for a reason. I do believe that Alabama running back commit Anthony ‘Turbo’ Rogers is making an official visit this fall. Shekai Mills-Knight is supposedly visiting Ohio State this week.

Mick Walker: I spoke to a source last week who said the odds of him reclassifying are unlikely right now. The family was talking about it but it sounds like they decided against it. Yes, I think Ohio State lands Phillip Bell. Potentially Brown if Florida falls apart this season and he initiates the contact. It’s a hard no with Ffrench. I understand why Ohio State wants a 3rd running back but the reality of doing so is difficult. If they can get Anthony Rogers on campus this fall then I might start coming around to the idea.

Zbuck76: Does OSU flip Dye or Autry? Will OSU hang onto Alford? Apparently, he is looking around and will officially visit FSU in September. Does OSU flip Brew, Hill, or McNutt (after he commits to Oregon)? Is Delhomme a take and if so will OSU land him?
Are any names not on the current radar that could surface with coaching changes, bad seasons, etc? Can be on offense too .

MP: The pessimist/realist in me wants to say neither. But, at this point, I honestly would be more surprised if Ohio State flips Dye over Autry. That’s weird just typing it, but Ohio State is in a great position right now to flip Autry from Auburn. He was reportedly visiting for The Game which definitely works out since the Iron Bowl is played in Tuscaloosa this year. I think Ohio State will hang on to TJ Alford . James Laurinaitis has made him priority No. 1 since he camped in Columbus in June 2023. Alford knows how Ohio State feels about him and Lettermen Row knows how Alford feels about Ohio State. Whatever buzz is happening with Alford is negative recruiting by other programs in light of the Riley Pettijohn commitment — even though Alford heavily peer-recruited Pettijohn and had his official visit to Ohio State the same weekend as him. Of those three, I think the most likely would be Hill, followed by Brew and then McNutt. Delhomme is a take and I think the Buckeyes will get him. I don’t think it enough to put in a pick, but I do like Ohio State at the moment.

I don’t have any names on the current radar at this moment, but I will say, from a preferred walk-on standpoint, look out for WR Jackson Wiley . He’s a legacy with a few G5 offers and camped at Ohio State multiple times over the last few summers. It wouldn’t shock me if he decided to stay home instead of taking a scholarship opportunity.

MW: I say no to both but it feels like Malik Autry is the more likely of the two if one of them were to flip. Matt has a much better feel for the TJ Alford recruitment so I would double back on what he said above but from my point of view, I see Alford sticking with Ohio State. As of today, I think all three are unlikely flips but that is likely because of how recent their commitments are. I imagine Ohio State will continue to recruit all three but there are probably limits, primarily finically, on what the coaching staff is willing to do to land those guys. I believe Delhomme is a take so yes, I expect Ohio State to land him.

I would not be surprised to see the coaching staff offer a few more 2025 cornerback prospects if they have no luck flipping Dorian Brew . I think they very much want three cornerbacks in this class. Then on offense, I imagine they will continue to evaluate running backs and offensive linemen.

Anon1674425931 and cobuckeye42: Thoughts on the late push for Josh Petty ? Just want to echo another poster’s question about our hopes with getting Petty. Wiltfong made it seem like we had a chance. What do you have to say to that?

MP: I think the late push is exactly what it is — late. Shouldn’t have been in this position in the first place. Florida State, the odds-on favorite per the RPM, offered Petty on May 8, 2023. Ohio State offered him on Sept. 1, 2023, but seemingly did nothing. I will say, the push is not a reflection on how Ohio State feels about landing David Sanders Jr. Buckeyes still feel very good there.

MW: I think Matt said it best, it is just a late push. Perhaps they have some NIL funds to reallocate after guys like Justin Hill and Dorian Brew head elsewhere that they can better compete with what FSU is offering but still seems like a long shot. The big thing is that his sister is enrolled at FSU. Family wins.

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