Tyler Baron plans official visit, Jager Burton high on Ohio State

Stay in touch or be left out because Ohio State recruiting is a 24-hour, seven-day-per-week obsession. What’s the latest news as the Buckeyes build for the future? Get that and more Sunday through Thursday on Lettermen Row. Monday’s notebook has the latest on the plans of 4-star defensive end Tyler Baron and one of Kentucky’s top prospects, lineman Jager Burton.

Tyler Baron planning Ohio State official visit

Ohio State continues to search for an additional defensive lineman or two in the Class of 2020, and one name that has consistently shown up in conversations is Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic 4-star defensive Tyler Baron.

A 6-foot-5, 252-pounder ranked as the nation’s third-ranked strongside defensive end per the 247Sports.com composite rankings, Baron visited the Buckeyes in the spring and has remained in steady contact with their coaching staff since.

“I talk to [defensive line coach] Larry Johnson a couple of times a week,” Baron told Lettermen Row. “But I talk to Ryan Day every day.”

Considering those regular conversations with Johnson and Day, it’s reasonable to expect Ohio State to remain a top choice for Baron. He validated that assumption with his recently released list of his final five schools.

Blessings from the highest🙇🏽‍♂️”FINAL FIVE” pic.twitter.com/eeFETQ3sGJ

— Tyler Baron (@Tylerbaron23) August 9, 2019

Baron is planning a return to Ohio State in October, a trip that will be an official visit. And if his timeline is accurate, it’s set for just a few weeks ahead of his plans for issuing a commitment.

“I will officially visit Ohio State for the Michigan State game,” Baron said. “I’ll make a decision in late October. Ohio State has always been a school I’ve been interested in. How they produce defensive linemen it’s really something I’ve taken into consideration.”

Kentucky star Jager Burton very high on Ohio State

It’s early in his recruitment, but it seems the Buckeyes have done about as well as they could’ve to this point with Kentucky 2021 lineman Jager Burton.

Kentucky’s second-ranked 2021 prospect, Burton was offered by Ohio State in May and camped with the program in June, earning praise from Greg Studrawa for his effort there. That praise was reciprocated.

“Me and Coach Stud get along really well,” Burton told Lettermen Row. “I love his coaching style and how he’s developing linemen at Ohio State. The Buckeyes are definitely one of my top schools right now, and I have kept in contact with Coach Stud a good amount considering I have to call and catch him at the right times to talk.”

Those conversations are leading to discussions about the next visit to Columbus for Burton. He believes that date is locked in.

“I am for sure going to the Ohio State game against Penn State,” he said. “I’m hoping to decide before my senior football season, so I’ve got to go see everywhere I’m interested in. Clemson, Kentucky, Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State, Texas, Florida State, Louisville and Oregon.

“I wouldn’t say I’m nearing that point [of committing] yet, but this next round of visits is more to figure out what my top schools are. Then make my decision sooner rather than later.”

The country’s eighth-ranked offensive guard has offers from 16 schools at this point.

2022 standout Jaeden Gould sees good fit with Buckeyes

On Sunday, we discussed a handful of 2022 prospects with early interest in Ohio State. Now we’re adding another name to that list: Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) cornerback Jaeden Gould.

At 6-foot-2, 205-pounds already, Gould is a thumper in the secondary who sees the Buckeyes as a conduit to the NFL.

“The tradition that Ohio State carries [is intriguing],” Gould to Lettermen Row. “They send so many defensive backs to the league, and when you go there you are being coached by the best coaches. They want to help you succeed.”

Jeff Hafley is the lead recruiter in New Jersey now for Ohio State. But because Gould is in the 2022 class, the ability to contact him is limited at this point. That is not the case for former Bergen Catholic standouts who currently play for the Buckeyes like Javontae Jean-Baptiste.

“Of course that helps,” Gould said. “Hopefully I will hear from the staff soon. It’s definitely a program that continues to put out top defensive backs.”

In the initial 247Sports.com rankings, Gould is listed as the nation’s second-ranked New Jersey prospect and sixth-ranked cornerback. He visited Penn State and Michigan over the summer and is hoping to connect with the Buckeyes and visit Columbus soon.

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