With the 2018 recruiting class well in the rear-view mirror, and an idea of what kind of numbers the Buckeyes will be shooting for in 2019, it is time to begin looking at some of the prospects Ohio State is targeting in this current recruiting cycle.
OSU is still sitting with just one verbal commitment in the 2019 class, but that will soon begin to change.
The first position group we’ll look at in this series is the quarterbacks.
Urban Meyer has signed at least one quarterback in each of his OSU recruiting classes, and in 2015 he signed two. Two could be in the plans again in 2019, but first they have to get to one.
Here is a look at some of the quarterbacks that Ohio State has offered to this point.
Keep in mind, however, that the quarterback they ended up with in the 2018 class didn’t receive an offer until November, and the quarterback they didn’t end up with had been committed forever.
Grant Gunnell (6-6 212) No. 2 Pro Style | No. 49 Overall
St. Pius X, Houston TX
The Buckeyes offered Gunnell last Tuesday, and then Gunnell promptly decommitted from Texas A&M. Has thrown for over 4,900 yards and 60 touchdowns each of the last two seasons. Is a pocket passer, but not a statue.
Grant Tisdale (6-1 204) No. 7 Dual Threat | No. 277 Overall
Allen, Allen TX
Tisdale (pictured above) led his Allen HS team to a state title this past season. Ohio State offered back in May, and the Buckeyes have been the Crystal Ball favorites for a while now, but the decommitment of Gunnel may put Texas A&M in the mix soon.
Sam Howell (6-1 217) No. 4 Pro Style | No. 167 Overall
Sun Valley, Monroe NC
Howell received an Ohio State offer about a month ago. Even though he is rated as a pocket passer, he rushed for over 1,500 yards last season while throwing for another 3,000 yards. He also holds offers from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia and the rest.
Michael Johnson Jr. (6-4 190) No. 2 Dual Threat | No. 182 Overall
Sheldon, Eugene OR
Johnson holds offers from all of the major programs in the nation, but Oregon is the favorite here as his father is the Ducks’ wide receivers coach. Ohio State offered last spring following an unofficial visit.
Max Duggan (6-2 190) No. 6 Dual Threat | No. 264 Overall
Lewis Central, Council Bluffs IA
Ohio State offered Duggan back in December, but since Scott Frost’s hiring at Nebraska, the Huskers have emerged as the favorite here. Frost was also recruiting Duggan at UCF.
Graham Mertz (6-4 205) No. 9 Pro Style | No. 324 Overall
Blue Valley North, Mission KS
Mertz has been committed to Wisconsin since October, but that hasn’t stopped other schools from offering him. Michigan did it in December, and the Buckeyes offered one month later. Ole Miss, Missouri, Georgia, Oklahoma State, and LSU have done the same in the last month.
Andre Gordon (6-2 185) No. 48 Athlete | No. 476 Overall
Sidney, Sidney OH
Gordon is arguably the top two-sport athlete in the state of Ohio, and the top-ranked quarterback. He does not yet hold an offer from Ohio State in either sport, and is still trying to decide if he will choose football or basketball in college. He is the No. 21 combo guard in the nation. He has visited OSU a number of times.
Other Names to Know — Alabama’s Bo Nix (No. 1 Dual Threat) has an Ohio State offer, but he is currently committed to Auburn and a long shot to leave the region. Roschon Johnson is the No. 3 Dual-Threat QB in the nation, but has been committed to in-state Texas since July. The Buckeyes also offered 3-star Dual-Threat quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson out of New Jersey early this month. He has been committed to Penn State since October.
[Grant Tisdale photo courtesy 247Sports.com]
