In a Wednesday morning ceremony at his high school, 5-star Fairfield, Ohio offensive lineman Jackson Carman committed to Clemson over Ohio State. He will sign with the Tigers today as well, which is the first day of the new early signing period.
Carman is the No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation per the 247Sports Composite and the No. 9 overall prospect in the 2018 recruiting class.
Ohio State losing out on the state’s top prospect is not unheard of, but it is also not typical. It is the second time in the last three years it has happened, as Cincinnati Elder offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer chose Notre Dame in 2016. The last time it happened previous to that, however, was linebacker Jordan Hicks out of Lakota West signing with Texs.
The Buckeyes were one of three finalists for Carman, along with Clemson and USC. All three schools were rumored to be in the lead at one point or another over the past few months. Carman visited USC and Clemson each of the last two weeks in order to make his decision. Ultimately, the allure of becoming a Clemson Tiger won out.
The commitment now puts Ohio State in search of another offensive lineman to join Tennessee’s Max Wray and New York’s Matthew Jones in Columbus. Jones is the No. 1 center in the 2018 class and Wray is the No. 9 offensive tackle.
The top target would appear to be 4-star prospect Rasheed Walker out of Maryland. He is ranked the No. 6 offensive tackle in the nation per the 247Sports Composite. There are also some who believe Ohio State will get an official visit from 5-star tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere out of Tampa. He is rated the No. 3 tackle in the nation.
Did the Buckeyes really want this guy? He was part of the twitter trash on JT. Not sure he would have been welcomed and that attitude certainly would not be tolerated by the team. Cancer to Clemson..Those top guys who left Ohio for other schools, where are they now? Hicks? burgess? not nfl
Dirty programs attract dirty players. I’d say good riddance.
He better give back the jacket and hoodie! and get a haircut!!!
Hey, recruiting rankings have never won a game or a championship. Player development by the coaching staff does. Maybe this is what UFM and staff need to improve upon rather than chasding teenage kids with a pocket full of stars.
Do us all a favor and stop showing us the smug smiling face of this guy
If you talk to recruiting specialists this was NOT a surprise. Buckeye fans should not be a concerned. By most reports this kid was caught up in how great everyone though he was similar to Micah (let me tell you which QB to play coach) Parsons. OSU doesn’t need a team of 5 star prima donnas. The majority of 4-5 star players Meyer “gets” are very talented, smart and athletic players who get the “team” concept. OSU just needs to improve player development some and that starts with hiring better assistants and not just your friends.
Agree with your comments
He made a choice that seems right to him. Good luck. I would rather see guys who are 100% on board the program than guys who are torn. If a guy isn’t content coming in the staff has that much more work to do in removing the doubts of a disgruntled recruit.
No harm, no foul.
All 3 top Ohio prospects lost to other programs and mentioned in this article are from the Cincy area. UM and staff improved this recruiting sore spot for OSU, but it clearly remains problematic.
Tough to see. Hope UM fixes this.
This is not a big loss. This kid is a head case and does not fit into the culture of our program. I am glad he choose another school. These kids need to remember there is no single player above the program and tis kid did not get that!
He is going to what is currently the number 1 college football program in the country and will be playing for who is currently the number 1 college football coach. I hate to see this, but its hard to blame him. Go Bucks!
TRAITOR…..UTTER STUPIDITY WHEN WE LET A TOP CALIBER TALENT GET SUCKED OUT OF OUR OWN STATE….
This is not good news. Have to say I’m somewhat surprised. 🙁
32-0
8 > 2