Scarlet Sunrise: On3 RPM indicates USC's lead in recruitment of Bronny James

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On3 RPM indicates USC’s lead in recruitment of Bronny James

There has been a major development in the recruitment of Sierra Canyon (Calif.) five-star combo guard Bronny James, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

On3 national recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw has logged a prediction for USC to land James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James. The RPM now gives the Trojans a 72.3% chance to get a commitment from Bronny James, who remains the highest-ranked uncommitted player in the On3 150 for the 2023 cycle. On3 ranks James the No. 9 overall prospect in the class, including the second-best combo guard.

On3 is higher on James than the other recruiting services. He clocks in at 27th overall and fifth at his position in the On3 Industry Ranking.

James is coming off an impressive performance in the McDonald’s All-American Game, where he shot 5-of-10 for 15 points to go along with four assists and a rebound. All five of his makes were from beyond the arc, as he displayed great catch-and-shoot ability against top-tier high school competition.

Ohio State was previously the favorite to secure a commitment from James, according to the RPM, which now puts the Buckeyes at just a 27.5% shot at getting the son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

James took an unofficial visit to Columbus the weekend of the Buckeyes’ football season opener against Notre Dame on Sept. 3 of last year.

Ohio State already has a four-player 2023 recruiting class that ranks 10th nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

Pair of Buckeyes true freshmen shed black stripes after spring practice No. 11

Three Ohio State football players lost their black stripes after Friday’s practice, the 11th of spring ball: sophomore walk-on running back Chase Brecht and a pair of true freshmen, tight end Jelani Thurman and safety Malik Hartford.

To learn more about those first years, go here and here, respectively.

The 6-foot-6, 253-pound Thurman has emerged as a receiving option for the Buckeyes quarterbacks, particularly in the middle of the field and in the red zone. Meanwhile, Hartford has impressed Ohio State safeties coach Perry Eliano with his maturity and growth so far.

Now, three of the Buckeyes’ 11 early enrollees have shed their black stripes this spring. To put that in perspective, only two Ohio State true freshmen accomplished that feat last spring, defensive end Caden Curry and safety Kye Stokes.

Nine Ohio State players have “officially” become Buckeyes this spring.

Sophomore offensive linemen George Fitzpatrick and Tegra Tshabola lost their black stripes the second week of practice, along with Ole Miss transfer cornerback Davison Igbinosun and true freshman wide receiver Carnell Tate. Oregon State transfer quarterback Tristan Gebbia and senior walk-on offensive lineman Quinton Burke shed their black stripes last week. Thurman, Hartford and Brecht are the latest to receive the post-practice honor.

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• Buckeyes quarterbacks take ‘step in the right direction’ at competitive Friday practice

Ryan Day provides injury updates on Steele Chambers, Xavier Johnson

Ohio State linebacker Steele Chambers and wide receiver Xavier Johnson are dealing with lower-body injuries and will be out the rest of spring ball, according to head coach Ryan Day.

“He’ll have a procedure done, but he’ll be back for preseason and should have a pretty good summer,” Day said of Chambers after the Buckeyes’ 11th spring practice. “Xavier’s probably a little bit longer, but, still, we’ll have him for the summer. It’s not going to be something that’s going to affect him in the preseason.”

Chambers was on crutches, and Johnson was on a leg scooter with a walking boot Friday. Luckily for Day and Ohio State, it seems as if those injuries won’t be long term.

Still, the Buckeyes are now down both their starting linebackers and three of their top-four wideouts the rest of spring. For more on that, head on over here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 147 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 231 days

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