Four-star Chicago (Phillips) tight end prospect Jahleel Billingsley tweeted out his Top 7 late Tuesday night and Ohio State made the cut.
Top 7!! No Particular Order. #GoFrogs?#GoBlue?#GoBucks⭕️#WeAre?#ILLGang19 #HottyToddy??#GoGators? pic.twitter.com/Qn4NgdqbJY
— JahleelBillingsley? (@JahleelKnowsss) March 14, 2018
Joining the Buckeyes in Billingsley’s top group were Illinois, TCU, Penn State, Ole Miss, Florida, and Michigan.
Billingsley (6-5 225) is the No. 9 tight end in the 2019 class according to the 247Sports Composite. Rivals ranks him as the No. 4 tight end in the class. He is considered the best tight end in the Midwest.
Ohio State offered just one week ago, which followed February offers from Michigan, West Virginia, Iowa, and Florida. Billingsley visited Illinois unofficially last week and has an unofficial visit schedule this weekend to Michigan.
At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Billingsley obviously has a frame that colleges can work with. Playing in a spread offense, he often lines up out wide and is used in screen plays. His athleticism allows him to make plays after the catch and pick up yards after contact. He will still need to add weight in order to deal with college defensive ends, but there is plenty to work with
The Buckeyes have recruited tight ends well the last couple of years. In 2016, they signed three of the top 13 tight ends in the nation in Jake Hausmann (No. 4), Luke Farrell (No. 7), and Kierre Hawkins (No. 13). Hawkins has since transferred, but Farrell and Hausmann are going to be needed by OSU in 2018. In the 2018 recruiting class, Ohio State signed 5-star prospect Jeremy Ruckert, who was rated the No. 1 tight end in the nation by both ESPN and 247Sports. OSU also added 6-foot-7 athlete Alex Williams, who could end up at tight end initially at well.
The Buckeyes have offered upwards of a dozen tight ends in the 2019 class, which gives you a pretty good idea of how badly they need at least one in this current recruiting cycle.
Jahleel Billingsley Highlights
[Jahleel Billingsley photo courtesy 247Sports.]
