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Ohio State football coach reportedly carjacked while on recruiting visit in Cleveland

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•12/12/23•

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Ohio State Chair by Matt Parker -- Lettermen Row --
Matt Parker/Lettermen Row

Ohio State tight ends coach Keenan Bailey was carjacked Monday while on a recruiting visit in Cleveland, according to a report from Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.com reported that the Buckeyes assistant was unharmed from the incident, which took place near Ginn Academy and ultimately resulted in a police chase and the arrest of four youths.

Bailey, 28, has resumed recruiting and posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Tuesday afternoon that he’s in Canada. That’s where 2024 tight end and Buckeyes commit Max LeBlanc is from.

Monday’s incident was one of multiple carjacking attempts by the four youths, who range from 15-18 years old, according to the Cleveland.com report.

Authorities told Cleveland.com that the youths robbed Bailey at gunpoint before stealing his Dodge Durango. Then the group attempted to carjack two women, who successfully drove away from the attack, authorities told Cleveland.com.

The four youths were arrested near East 107th and St. Clair Avenue after a police chase that involved a helicopter. The youths are expected to be charged Tuesday, according to Cleveland.com.

Ginn Academy opened instruction in 2007. The all-boys public school was founded by Glenville High School football and track and field coach Ted Ginn Sr.

Ted Ginn Jr., notably, is one of the most electrifying Ohio State players in program history. Before he was taken in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft, he piled up 26 touchdowns in three years with the Buckeyes: 15 receiving, three rushing, six on punt returns and two on kickoff returns.

Glenville High School sends players to Ohio State’s recruiting camps in June. Buckeyes linebacker/defensive end Arvell Reese is a Glenville product who’s in his first year with the program. Ohio State has two more Glenville players on the way in tight end Damarion Witten and cornerback Bryce West. Both are Ohio State commits in the 2024 recruiting class.

Ohio State assistants got back on the recruiting trail on Dec. 1, and the contact period goes until Dec. 16. There is a quiet period on Dec. 17. And then Dec. 18-Jan. 11 is a dead period, meaning coaches are not allowed to have any in-person contact with recruits and/or their parents during that time.

The early signing period begins Dec. 20 for 2024 recruits to sign their National Letter of Intent. Ohio State currently has the second-ranked class in the cycle, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

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