Four-star West Bloomfield, Michigan safety Makari Paige released his Top 7 schools Monday evening and the Buckeyes were included in his top group. Joining Ohio State were Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Kentucky.
He tweeted out the news.
LOVE IT OR HATE IT IM STILL MOTIVATED #TOP7 pic.twitter.com/UZmsryoHpA
— MAKARI PAIGE ¹ᵏ (@makaripaige) June 3, 2019
Paige is a lanky safety at 6-foot-3 and 182 pounds and will be making his first official visit to Ohio State the weekend of June 21. He also visited Penn State unofficially two weeks ago.
On the field, Paige is a physical run defender from his free safety position. He comes downhill in control and erases ball carriers. He also has the size to take on bigger running backs. As a pass defender, he showcases the necessary range in high school.
Paige is ranked the No. 20 safety in the 2020 class per the 247Sports Composite and the No. 239 player overall. He is the No. 5 player in the state of Michigan.
Currently, with five projections cast, the Wolverines are favored in Paige’s recruitment.
Ohio State is also heavily recruiting the No. 10 player in Michigan, Cameron Martinez. Martinez (6-0 195) is the No. 375 player in the nation and the No. 22 athlete in the class. He could end up at receiver or in the secondary at the next level.
The Buckeyes have been very successful on the offensive side of the ball in the 2020 class, with commitments from the No. 1 receiver, the No. 1 center, the No. 1 offensive tackle, and the No. 2 pro-style quarterback. They have just one defensive commit so far, however, in Florida defensive back Lejond Cavazos.
Ohio State is scheduled to host a number of defensive prospects for official visits the weekend of June 21.
Joining Paige on OSU’s campus that weekend will be California prospect Clark Phillips, who is the No. 4 cornerback in the nation and trending Ohio State’s way. Arizona safety Lathan Ransom will also be on campus. He is the No. 4 safety in the nation and the No. 64 player overall.
The aforementioned Cameron Martinez will also be visiting.
Defensive linemen Darrion Henry and Kedrick Bingley-Jones will both be on campus, as will 4-star California linebacker Kourt Williams.
A number of other top prospects will also be on campus over that time as well.
