Ohio State football makes cut for 3 recruits, including 2023 4-star OT Olaus Alinen:
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State football program had a good idea of where it stood with 2023 four-star offensive tackle Olaus Alinen, but the Buckeyes got even more clarity over the weekend.
The 6-foot-7, 315-pound prospect out of the Loomis Chaffee School in Connecticut announced his final four schools on Friday morning, including the Buckeyes with Georgia, Miami and Alabama.
Ohio State has been working hard to build a relationship with the coveted Finland native who has been in the United States a little over a year. After being offered in December, Alinen visited Columbus early last month for a three-day stay and immediately planned a return in June.
“I really enjoyed it,” Olaus told cleveland.com after his visit in early March “They are definitely a program that is high on my list right now. And one of the programs I will be focusing a lot on. During this process, I’m going to do an official visit as well. They are one of my top five schools right now for sure.”
During that visit, Alinen got to observe a practice while engaging with the coaching staff, including head coach Ryan Day and offensive line coach Justin Frye. Frye has continued to connect with Alinen while already having earned a verbal commitment from 2023 OT Luke Montgomery and the benefit of a committed recruit from former offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, 2023 OT Joshua Padilla.
Alinen would significantly strengthen the class. He is the nation’s No. 14 OT and No. 127 overall propsect in the class, according to the 247sports composite rankings. The four-star touts 45 offers and has one medium confidence Crystal Ball to Alabama from 247sports’ Brian Dohn.
While Ohio State has earned his interest, the battle is far from over. Alinen has built strong relationships with the other three contenders and has already set visits for summer season. He’ll head to Miami June 3-5, Alabama June 10-12, Georgia June 17-19 and cap it off with a return to Columbus June 24-26.
Ohio State makes the cut for another 2023 4-star OT
Alinen’s top schools was followed up with another 2023 offensive tackle target trimming his list.
New Jersey Don Bosco Prep’s Chase Bisontis dropped his top eight schools on Saturday. His list includes Ohio State, Texas A&M, Rutgers, Miami, Georgia, Texas, LSU and Michigan State.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Bisontis is the nation’s No. 6 OT and No. 57 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the 247sports composite. He is known for his explosive capability and physical run blocking.
Bisontis already has an Ohio State connection as he is good friends with OSU defensive lineman Tyler Friday and offensive lineman Luke Wypler.
The Garden State prospect visited Ohio State last summer and enjoyed the opportunity to be coached by the OSU staff. That visit set the foundation for the Buckeyes to make moves in his recruitment.
After the departure of Studrawa, Bisontis was weary, but spoke with new offensive line coach Justin Frye on Jan. 14 and said he became even more comfortable with the program. The two have continued to build their relationship ever since, giving the Buckeyes a chance to land their 11th New Jersey commit in the past 10 years.
Ohio State makes the cut for 2024 Georgia 4-star WR
A little over a week after offering, Ohio State has made the first cut for a rising receiver in Georgia.
Ny Carr, a 2024 wideout from Colquitt County High School, does not have a 247sports composite ranking but does hold 12 offers, including Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan and Penn State. He made a slight trim down on that list Friday, releasing a top eight with Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Georgia, USC, Arkansas, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Expect a fairly long recruitment for Carr, who recently raved about his visits to Michigan and Georgia.
The 6-foot, 170-pound receiver racked up 40 receptions for 856 yards and 14 total touchdowns in his sophomore campaign. He also tallied 107 kick return yards.
Elite recruits visit Columbus during another massive recruiting weekend
The star power was on full display as some of the nation’s top recruits visited Columbus over the weekend.
That group included two major receiving targets in five-star wide receivers Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate.
Defensive five-star gem Cormani McClain was supposed to attend but his flight was canceled at the last minute. With nearly three dozen recruits expected, Ohio State hoped to make some recruiting waves that will carry them into summer official and unofficial visits.
Here’s a quick list of who was scheduled to be in attendance in Columbus from March 31-April 2.
2023
RB Cedric Baxter Jr. (FL)
RB Mark Fletcher (FL)
WR Brandon Inniss (FL)
WR Carnell Tate (FL)
WR Jalen Hale (TX)
QB Dante Moore (MI)
OSU commit TE Ty Lockwood (TN)
TE Tanner Lemaster (OH)
DE Darron Reed (GA)
DB Cormani McClain (FL) (cancelled)
DB Daemon Fagan (FL)
DB Sharif Denson (FL)
OSU DB commit Cedrick Hawkins (FL)
DB Dijon Johnson (FL)
K Grant Reddick (FL)
DB Bryce Thornton (GA)
DB Rasheem Biles (OH)
2024
QB Dylan Raiola (AZ)
RB Stacy Gage (FL)
WR Jeremiah Smith (FL)
WR Joshisa Trader (FL)
DE Booker Pickett Jr. (FL)
TE Tysen Smith (IN)
TE Hank Weber (TN)
TE Luca Puccinelli (VA)
OL Waltclaire Flynn Jr. (GA)
OL Jake Wheelock (OH)
RB Jakorian Caffey (OH)
DB Aaron Scott (OH)
DB Terhyon Nichols (OH)
ATH Garrett Stover (OH)
2025
WR Winston Watkins Jr. (FL)
OL Jake Cook (OH)
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