Four-Star Linebacker Talks Upcoming Ohio State Official Visit

BRADENTON, Fla. — Ohio State is still on the prowl for at least one more linebacker in its 2025 recruiting class and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy star Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng has emerged as one of the top candidates for the Buckeyes in that search.

“Coach Laurinatis coming to see me in January and just keeping up with that relationship (got Ohio State into the mix),” Owusu-Boateng told BuckeyeHuddle.com on our Southern Swing. “Me finally getting up to O-State last weekend, just to see everything for myself really, it was really nice seeing it and seeing all of the opportunities that they have, I felt like it was only right to make it one of my official visits.”

Owusu-Boateng grew up watching a Buckeye defensive star from his area of the country in Northern Virginia and was impressed as much with the off-the-field component of his recent visit as the on-field success the Buckeyes have sustained.

“Growing up (in the DMV), Chase Young also went there,” he started. “I really liked seeing all of the opportunities that they had after football. Not only that, but knowing about the academics they have at Ohio State while also competing for national championships as well.”

With an official visit scheduled for June 14th, Ohio State will get another chance to impress the Top 100 prospect.

“Last time I had a great visit, so just to confirm that feeling with my teammate London (Merritt),” he explained of his goals for the official visit. “Just to make sure that this is a place for me and that I could be there for three to four years.”

Merritt has been recruiting Owusu-Boateng hard on the Buckeyes’ behalf, pitching the strength of the defensive staff.

“Just being with a great defensive coaching staff, coach Knowles and coach Laurinaitis,” he said. “You’re going to come to a school that is going to develop you, not just physically but mentally as well.”

The relationship with Laurinaitis has been another angle the Buckeyes have had working in their favor.

“Coach Laurinaitis was a former Ohio State player and won the Butkus award there and went to the NFL as well. Just having a linebackers coach that has been in the same position as me and is recruiting me to come play for him, that’s what attracts me to Ohio State. Just knowing that my coach has played my position and been in the same shoes that I’m in.”

Hear more from Owusu-Boateng from our one-on-one interview from Southern Swing.