Eyes on the Trail: Buckeyes put out more offers, another in-state tight end to watch

Welcome to ‘Eyes on the Trail’, our Monday-Friday Ohio State recruiting notebook from the recruiting staff here at BuckeyeHuddle.com. Keep it locked in here for the latest in all things Buckeye recruiting.

Prospects report Buckeye offers

Ohio State continues to put out new offers this month and a couple of defensive prospects from the Southeast reported receiving one from the Buckeyes on Wednesday.

6-foot-6, 300-pound defensive tackle Jowhar Franklin out of New Orleans area powerhouse John Curtis was among them.

Fast rising Brunswick (GA) linebacker Devin Smith also reported an offer from Ohio State as the Buckeyes continue to monitor several top linebacker targets. Smith has been picking up major interest lately and now holds more than 30 offers, including Alabama and LSU.

Yet another promising tight end in Ohio’s 2025 class

The state of Ohio is loaded with tight end prospects in the 2025 recruiting class. The Buckeyes recently offered Lakota West standout Luka Gilbert and have been keeping close tabs on Cincinnati Anderson’s Caden Piening. On Saturday, the Buckeyes welcomed Wapakoneta product Grant Houser to campus.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound prospect took in Ohio State’s first scrimmage of the spring and came away impressed with the atmosphere of practice.

“It was an amazing time,” Was able to see a lot of guys I’ve looked up to and their work ethic. It was my first time experiencing something like that so it opened my eyes to the college level practice experience. Overall, a great time and was able to meet some great people.”

Houser had a chance to talk with several staff members on the trip, including his first contact with first-year tight ends coach Keenan Bailey. Growing up in Ohio, this was a memorable way for Houser to kick start his recruiting process.

“Really appreciative and thankful,” he said of the visit. “I’ve grown up an OSU fan so being able to see them up close was a great experience.”

With so many options emerging just within Ohio’s borders, it will be interesting to see how Ohio State approaches things in 2024 and 2025 at the tight end position.