Dotting the 'Eyes: AJ Kirk previews visit, Kentucky OL talking to 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, including today’s talk Ohio safety AJ Kirk, a 5-star defensive back from Florida set to visit and more.
Dublin Coffman 2021 star AJ Kirk to visit Ohio State again
On Saturday, Dublin (Ohio) Coffman defensive back A.J. Kirk will make his fourth game-day trip to Ohio State this season. The country’s second-ranked 2021 safety is the younger brother of former Buckeyes All-American Mike Doss and already has scholarship offers from Michigan and Notre Dame, among others. This time around, the 6-foot, 180-pound defensive back is going to be watching the Ohio State secondary closely.
“I’m really hoping to see if the Ohio State defense will be able to stop Michigan passing schemes,” Kirk told Lettermen Row. “[If Ohio State will] be able to keep everything in front, not seeing any defensive backs getting beat deep. From watching them as a kid growing up, and especially these last couple of years, Ohio State has put the most defensive backs into the NFL, and I believe that the secondary is still going to be able to do their job and perform well.”
With six early offers, a number of regional schools are getting a head start on recruiting Kirk. And though Ohio State hasn’t offered yet, he’s very close with one of the assistant coaches. That hasn’t stopped him from, at times, feeling a little frustrated about what some could perceive as a slight — not being offered yet by Ohio State.
“My connection to Ohio State is very strong,” he said. “They are right in my backyard and my brother had an amazing legacy when he left the school. I feel close to the Ohio State, especially [running backs] coach [Tony] Alford.
“He had said he wanted me to finish off this season strong and they wanted to see the improvement from last year to this year. To just keep competing and working harder. At first, I was a little frustrated [about not having an offer yet], but my brother keeps telling me that everything will come in time. I’ve been performing well, and now I’m hoping it catches Ohio State’s eye.”
Kirk is the second-ranked player in Ohio in the Class of 2021, only behind Pickerington North 5-star defensive end Jack Sawyer. That pair has started to become close following their head-to-head matchup earlier this season.
“I’ve gotten close with Jack Sawyer a bit after we played them in the regular season,” Kirk said. “We saw each other at multiple games. From there started becoming close friends.”
Ohio State is off to a great start with both Sawyer and Kirk, and that pair would be a sensational way to build the 2021 class. First things first: Ohio State has to offer A.J. Kirk.
Fred Davis will make his first visit to Ohio State
Ohio State has been very productive when it has recruited Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian Academy, and this weekend they’ll take their first shot at another 5-star defensive back from the Florida powerhouse program.
O-H This weekend!! 🅾️🌰 #GoBucks
— FD2 (@__FredDavis) November 20, 2018
Fred Davis is the nation’s third-ranked 2020 cornerback, and he’ll be heading north with his father and his uncle to take in the Buckeyes and Wolverines from Ohio Stadium. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Davis could be the next in a line of blue-chip defensive backs for the Crusaders with a chance to suit up for the Scarlet and Gray. Ohio State previously signed 5-star cornerback Shaun Wade in the Class of 2017 and 5-star cornerback Tyreke Johnson in the Class of 2018. He’s also a teammate of 2019 Ohio State commitment Marcus Crowley.
Derek Wingo, Ohio State still in regular contact
A few months ago, there was a major rush of momentum for Ohio State and 4-star St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) linebacker Derek Wingo. Though the 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker prospect didn’t commit to the Buckeyes in the summer as many thought he might, he’s still in regular communication with the coaching staff and hopes to visit the school again after the season.
Derek Wingo during a summer 2018 visit to Ohio State. (Photo courtesy Derek Wingo)
“Yeah, definitely, recruiting is going well,” Wingo told Lettermen Row. “I talk to the most to Ohio State, Clemson, Oklahoma, Penn State and Miami.”
Though he had planned to visit the Buckeyes this weekend for the Michigan game, the country’s 10th-ranked outside linebacker will not be able to make it.
“I was supposed to go up there this week,” he said. “But our coach is making us practice. Next week is a big week, but I’ll be up right after the season. The big thing with Ohio State has just been to keep in contact and build the relationship. They love what I’ve been doing this year, and we’re going to talk business when I get up there after the season.”
Ohio State currently holds a small lead over Penn State in the 247Sports crystal ball predictions.
John Young gets personal attention from Urban Meyer
Ohio State extended a scholarship offer to Louisville (Ky.) 4-star offensive tackle John Young following a visit to the school in October.
“It’s a dream come true,†Young told Lettermen Row. “My recruitment is still open completely, but Ohio State is toward the top of my list. It was crazy to talk to Urban Meyer in person. I’ve been watching Ohio State my whole life, and it’s so cool to have the opportunity to talk to those guys and see how they run things.â€
Since his visit, Young has been in contact with Ohio State and Urban Meyer almost daily.
“I talk to the Ohio State coaches almost daily,” Young told Lettermen Row on Tuesday night. “Mostly Coach Meyer and [offensive line] Coach [Greg] Studrawa. Kentucky and Ohio State are the two staffs I talk to the most. I have a great relationship with both of those staffs.”
Young will miss the Buckeyes and Wolverines this weekend and will stay close to home in Louisville, where he will check out the Louisville Cardinals and those Kentucky Wildcats. His team is still in the Kentucky state playoffs, so traveling this weekend isn’t convenient. There’s obviously some pressure to stay home in the Bluegrass State, but the hometown team has no head coach at the moment, so Louisville isn’t really near the front of his mind. If it hires Purdue coach Jeff Brohm, as is being speculated, that could change. Of course, if Urban Meyer is really considering leaving Ohio State, his relationship with the Buckeyes will obviously change as well. That being said, he’s seen no sign of an imminent departure from Meyer.
“I have heard rumors,” he said. “I don’t think any of them carry much weight right now. As far as head coaches go, Meyer has texted me the most and been the most personable that I’ve talked with.”
The country’s 33rd-ranked 2020 offensive tackle, Young will return for another visit to Ohio State as soon as possible.
“As soon as I’m done with this season,” he added. “I’ll be getting back to Columbus.”
