Lettermen Lounge: Eli Lee commits to Ohio State, big visit weekend fallout
COLUMBUS — Ohio State and its recruiting efforts continue to press on as the season makes its way toward the final stretch.
The Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) are fresh off a massive win over previously undefeated Penn State where a number of recruits were inside Ohio Stadium to watch it all. Ohio State’s on-field success is already trickling down into success on the recruiting trail. And that’s where the latest episode of the Lettermen Lounge begins.
Co-hosts Spencer Holbrook and Matt Parker start off with the biggest news of the week, the commitment of 2025 three-star Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban linebacker Eli Lee. The No. 32 linebacker and No. 12 Ohio prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings chose the Buckeyes after only having the offer for three weeks.
The relationship he has with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and defensive assistant James Laurinaitis is second to none and a major catalyst for why the Buckeyes won the early recruitment.
“I love Coach Laurinaitis,” Lee said. “I loved camping with him and being coached by him. It’s been awesome getting to know him and Coach Knowles. Seeing how they coach and what they think of me was important.”
Lee has offers from Kentucky, Iowa State and West Virginia, with other Power 5 programs starting to evaluate the Ohioan, but it’s now all moot.
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With his commitment to the 2025 class, now giving the Buckeyes two Ohioans already committed to 2025. Lee joins four-star Bellefontaine (Ohio) quarterback Tavien St. Clair. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker was on campus over the weekend for the Buckeyes’ game against the Nittany Lions and after seeing the Ohio State defense do its thing, that was the final touch on the recruitment.
While Lee was the first prospect who committed as a result of the weekend, there could be more. Lettermen Row reported extensively that 2025 five-star Houston (Texas) North Shore cornerback Devin Sanchez had an excellent visit over the weekend. He is cornerback No. 1 for the Buckeyes in the cycle and they are separating themselves from the field.
Ohio State hosted just one official visitor over the weekend as well. Four-star Clinton (N.C.) defensive lineman and Florida commit Amaris Williams. The No. 15 defensive lineman in the On3 Industry Rankings was moved by the time in Columbus. His connection with defensive line coach Larry Johnson might drive a flipped commitment as well.
The latest episode of the Lettermen Lounge covers all of this and more. For past episodes and other video content, but sure to check out our YouTube page.
