The Hurry-Up: Mekhai White to Visit Ohio State for the Spring Game, Caleb Downs Plans

A 2024 wide receiver can be added to Ohio State’s visitor’s list for the upcoming spring game on April 16. 

Virginia wideout Mekhai White, who does not currently hold an Ohio State offer, announced on Monday that he will be making a trip to Columbus later this spring. White plays both wideout, outside linebacker and strong safety, for King George High School (King George, Virginia), but is being recruited as a wide receiver for Ohio State.

I will be at Ohio State University on April 16th @brianhartline @CoachKee @ryandaytime @Bill_Kurelic @Birm #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/XeEa5h5zQu

— Mekhai White (@mekhai_white) February 28, 2022

“I am very excited to visit Ohio State,” White told Eleven Warriors. “I am looking forward to seeing the facilities and coach Ryan Day. They have a great fan base. I think that is the most exciting thing about potentially playing for Ohio State.”

In five games for King George last season, White caught 18 passes for 303 yards with eight touchdowns. He also recorded 12 tackles defensively. He does not yet hold a 247Sports rating.

“Coach Devin Jordan and coach Hartline talked to my head coach,” White said. “They said they really like my film.”

As of now, White currently holds 13 Division I offers, including West Virginia, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Boston College. Other schools White said are standing out early in the recruiting process are North Carolina, Georgia (who has not offered him), Virginia, and Virginia Tech. In addition to Ohio State, White plans to visit Florida State, North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech this spring and is considering visiting Georgia, Michigan and LSU. 

Downs to visit OSU

Arguably Ohio State’s top priority safety target for the 2023 class will be taking a visit to Columbus this spring. Georgia five-star safety Caleb Downs told 247Sports he plans to visit Ohio State April 1-3. Other spring visits include Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama and Notre Dame. 

A piece of good news for Ohio State, though, Downs told 247Sports he feels the Buckeyes are recruiting him the hardest. 

“They tell me about the tradition of DB play there,” Downs told 247Sports. “How many DBs they put in the league. How their guys have been playing.”

According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, the 6-foot, 185-pound Downs is considered the 11th-best prospect in the 2023 cycle and the top-rated safety. In 13 games for Mill Creek High School (Hoschton, Georgia) last year, Downs racked up 77 tackles, five interceptions, 11 pass deflections and a sack.  

Downs said he will likely make a college decision by the end of the summer. 

“I want to find a place where I can play early, definitely get better, and feel at home for 12 months out of the year, not just during the season,” Downs said.

Ohio State currently has one safety committed in Cedrick Hawkins, but could add two more safeties before the 2023 cycle wraps up. In addition to Downs, other top targets include Malik Hartford, Joenel Aguero and Daemon Fagan.  

Adolph, Exline commit to OSU as PWO’s 

Ohio State has added two more 2022 preferred walk-on commitments. Ohio wide receivers Blaize Exline and David Adolph announced their commitments to Ohio State on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Committed!! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/db2tXck0tA

— David Adolph (@DavidAdolph6) March 1, 2022

Im proud to announce my commitment to The Ohio State University! @OSUCoachHinton @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/k65DBUQIV8

— Blaize Exline (@Blaize24x) February 28, 2022

Exline played for Salem High School and had a prolific senior season, catching 125 passes for 1,424 yards with 28 touchdowns. He helped Salem to an 8-4 record in 2021. Adoph helped lead Dublin Jerome to a 7-5 season last year.