Recruiting Assessment After An Up-and-Down Month and Preseason Camp Preview

Real Pod Wednesdays

Ohio State’s current football players are about to return to the practice field while there’s been no shortage of happenings – both good and bad – impacting the Buckeyes on the recruiting trail over the past month.

With all of that to talk about as well as a new wave of conference realignment starting, Garrick Hodge returns to Real Pod Wednesdays this week for a discussion on what’s gone well and what hasn’t for Ohio State recruiting in recent weeks, the biggest storylines entering preseason camp and the rumors of potential further expansion for the Big Ten.

A full rundown of what we’re talking about this week:

• 1:57: Chris Henry Jr. isn’t even a high school sophomore yet, but he’s a safe bet to be an elite prospect
• 5:37: Ohio State secures a crucial recruiting win over Michigan by sealing the deal with Aaron Scott Jr.
• 11:35: Eddrick Houston becomes a must-get at DE with Dylan Stewart’s commitment to South Carolina
• 15:47: Jontae Gilbert’s decommitment is why it’s hard to get too excited about an early commitment
• 19:14: Ohio State isn’t out of the race for KJ Bolden, but we’d bet on the field over OSU
• 20:57: Buckeyes may need to expand DE board or hit the portal next year even if they land Houston
• 24:55: Nigel Glover is another example of Ohio State using transfer portal more heavily in recruiting
• 27:12: Assessing the state of Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class after an up-and-down month
• 32:28: Ranking OSU’s likelihood of landing Houston, Brandon Baker, Jeremiah McClellan and Bolden
• 35:26: Offensive line remains the biggest question mark entering preseason camp
• 38:11: Starting cornerback job opposite Denzel Burke another big position battle to watch
• 40:27: Where Sonny Styles will line up remains a major point of intrigue as camp begins
• 42:18: Josh Proctor, Cam Martinez ended spring as starters; Styles, Ja’Had Carter could change that
• 45:16: Josh Fryar, Carson Hinzman and Josh Simmons are frontrunners to start, but none are locks
• 48:56: Kyle McCord is the favorite to start at quarterback, but he still has to win the job in camp
• 51:04: Why Dan is “cautiously optimistic” about Ohio State having an elite defense this year
• 55:47: Washington and Oregon need the Big Ten more than the B1G needs Washington and Oregon
• 1:01:35: Florida State and Clemson are bigger targets for Big Ten, but they have more hurdles to clear

(Note: This episode of Real Pod Wednesdays was recorded before Nigel Glover announced his commitment to Ohio State on Tuesday.)