Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes safety commit locks in Spring Game visit

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Buckeyes safety commit locks in Spring Game visit

Cedrick Hawkins committed to Ohio State on New Year’s Day, the last time the Buckeyes were on the field.

Next time they take the field in a game setting, Hawkins will be there to see them. Hawkins will visit Ohio State in mid-April for the annual Spring Game.

The four-star safety from Cocoa (Titusville, Fla.) High School standout camped at Ohio State last summer and was impressed with what he saw. And the Buckeyes liked him, leading to his commitment during the Rose Bowl Game.

Hawkins is one of four committed players in the Ohio State class of 2023, along with tight end Ty Lockwook, offensive lineman Josh Padilla and defensive lineman Will Smith Jr. He has a chance to become a leader for the class in the Florida area. And he’ll be in attendance for the Spring Game.

Fast-rising 2023 receiver joins Birminology

When Brian Hartline takes a red-eye flight to California in order to show up at a young player’s high school bright and early on a Monday morning, that’s a pretty good indicator of interest.

For Rico Flores, a four-star receiver in the Class of 2023 from Folsom (Calif.) High School, that mattered. That kind of attention from Hartline is one reason why the Buckeyes have been on his mind lately. It’s not just Brian Hartline reaching out for Ohio State either.

The entire Buckeyes coaching staff has been getting to know the 6-foot-1, 190-pound wideout.

What was it about Hartline’s style that helped him connect with Rico Flores? How much are he and four-star tight end teammate Walker Lyons talking about playing at the same college? What’s the plan for getting himself to Ohio for the first time? What has been the message from the Buckeyes about his potential role in their offense?

The country’s No. 17-ranked receiver talks about those things and more in the latest edition of Birminology from Lettermen Row with Jeremy Birmingham.

Buckeyes fall in latest AP Poll

Ohio State had a major chance to grab two road wins in the last week.

Getting at least one of them was critical. Both would have been massive for the Buckeyes. But after blowing a late lead midweek against Rutgers, they needed to beat Michigan for a confidence booster.

And they did just that. Behind a dominant E.J. Liddell performance, Ohio State beat its rival to get past the gutting loss earlier in the week. And after an emotional past seven days, the Buckeyes checked in at No. 18 in the latest AP Poll. That’s down two spots from last week, when they were No. 16 in the country.

Gonzaga remained in the top spot after another dominant week of basketball. Auburn, Arizona, Kentucky and Purdue rounded out the top five. And five Big Ten teams are currently ranked as league play hits a pivotal final six weeks of the regular season before the conference tournament.

For the Buckeyes, the win over Michigan on the road was huge, especially after the heartbreaking loss to Rutgers on Wednesday. And Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann was certainly pleased.

READ: Buckeyes fall in AP Poll following split road results

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