Ohio
Ohio State Safety Commit DeShawn Stewart Gets Valuable Instruction, Builds Bonds With Future Classmates on Official Visit
Despite his status as an Ohio State commit, there was plenty for DeShawn Stewart to learn from his official visit to Columbus this past weekend.
Whether it was deeper conversations with the coaching staff, developing rapport with future teammates or figuring out tricks to improve his game while he’s still in high school, the four-star safety prospect enjoyed and gained knowledge from the trip.
“They created me a little logo. I approved of it, I liked it,” Stewart told Eleven Warriors. “There’s some changes that are going to be made to it. Getting to that, getting around the coaches more, spending time, getting to the playbook. Seeing how we’re feeling in the defense, like what spots will be open after this year, who’s leaving, who’s staying. Getting around the players, seeing life outside of football, how they act, personalities and all that. It was all cool throughout the weekend.”
BIA
Its Not A Slogan pic.twitter.com/5AVlJqLXIo— Deshawn Stewart (@shawnstewartjr) June 2, 2024
Stewart put up strong numbers last season for DePaul Catholic in Wayne, New Jersey, which is also home to Ohio State four-star wide receiver commit De’zie Jones. He racked up 56 tackles and 19 pass deflections out of the defensive backfield in 2023.
Ranked 295th overall and 26th at safety for the 2025 class in the 247Sports composite, Stewart is still searching for ways to hone his craft, however. He got some one-on-one time with his future safeties coach Matt Guerrieri on that topic in particular.
“It was great,” Stewart said. “We went over film, like my film and Ohio State’s film, and compared it to each other and showed what I would be doing in drills and stuff, showing how it translates to the field. He taught me a lot throughout the process.”
Guerrieri’s advice about tackling stuck with Stewart in particular. That’s something he’ll need to dive into deeper as he transitions positions at the next level.
“He showed me the way they tackle up there compared to the high school level, different teachings, alignments with the safeties and stuff because I play corner in high school,” Stewart said. “So it was different looking at it from a corner standpoint, (how) safeties line up and how they play with their eyes, so I’ll definitely transfer that over (to my game).”
Stewart also got a chance to sit down with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who encouraged him to enroll early and get a head start on his development process.
Cornerback Davison Igbinosun played host to Stewart on the visit and the former Ole Miss rebel didn’t sugarcoat the level of competition Stewart will walk into at Ohio State. With Brian Hartline’s continued churning of elite talent at wide receiver, there will be no shortage of iron-sharpening competition.
“(Igbinosun) told me nothing is given, everything is earned here, that you’ve got to come in with that mentality and live with that edge on your shoulder, because you’re going to go against the best of the best every day,” Stewart said. “He also told me how Coach (Tim Walton) is like, the realest in the game, he’s going to tell you straight up.”
“You’ve got to come in with that mentality and live with that edge on your shoulder, because you’re going to go against the best of the best every day.”– DeShawn Stewart
While connecting with current players like Igbinosun, Stewart also bonded with some 2025 classmates. Fellow Buckeye commit and linebacker Tarvos Alford was also on campus for an official visit.
“It was great, man. We had some nice laughs,” Stewart said. “We went out, we ate, had dinner, and the vibe was good. No weirdness going on. We already knew each other, so I look forward to spending more time with them when I get up there.”
While there Stewart and Alford got a chance to get in some peer recruiting of two top 100 defensive prospects in edge Justin Hill and linebacker Riley Pettijohn.
“I spent a lot of time with Justin, so while being around him, I tried to throw little hints out there, a couple little jokes to get him to try to commit,” Stewart said. “I think he’s taking his time right now but he knows what it is.”
Stewart said he plans to take no other visits this summer, a sign that he remains fully locked in with OSU. He plans on returning to Columbus for The Game on Nov. 30.
He’s bought into what he and his classmates can achieve, a group that stands less than eight points behind Notre Dame for the No. 1 class in the composite team rankings despite having eight fewer commits.
“This class will definitely be capable of a national championship, for sure,” Stewart said. “Add in everybody you had in the previous class, the ‘24 class, it will definitely be one of the top classes to ever come to Ohio State, which I believe and all the coaches believe.”
When’s Ohio’s 2026 primary election? Date, candidates, changes to know
See which candidates are conditionally qualified for Ohio’s 2026 primary ballot and key election deadlines.
Ohio’s primary election season has begun – Election Day is May 5. Ohio’s candidates are vying for spots on the ballot for the November midterm elections.
That’s nothing new, but Ohio made significant changes to mail-in voting that voters need to know about.
What has changed with Ohio’s mail-in ballots?
Voting through a mail-in ballot? There are some changes voters should know.
Signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in December 2025, Senate Bill 293 requires absentee ballots to arrive by the close of polls to be counted, with an exception for military and overseas voters.
Any mail-in or absentee ballots must now be received before or on Election Day by 7:30 p.m. in order to be counted. There is no longer a 4-day grace period after Election Day.
The primary election is May 5, and the general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
So, when should you send your mail-in ballot in Ohio? The sooner the better. The U.S. Postal Service does not necessarily postmark your mail the day it is received unless you specifically request it. So, you ballot may not make it to a postal processing center until the day after you drop it in a mailbox.
When does Ohio early voting start? Key dates for early, absentee, mail-in votes
The primary election will be held May 5, 2026, according to this year’s voting schedule.
Early in‑person voting began on April 7, including the Saturday and Sunday before Election Day. Absentee voting by mail also began on April 7.
On Election Day, May 5, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by your local board of elections by 7:30 p.m., per the voting schedule.
Ohio voter registration deadlines for 2026 elections
Ohioans must register or update their voter registration no later than 30 days before an election. The registration deadline for the May 5 primary was April 6, 2026.
Here are the upcoming voter registration deadlines in 2026:
- April 6, 2026, for the May 5, 2026, primary and special election
- October 5, 2026, for the November 3, 2026, general election
If you register or update your information after the deadline, the changes will apply for the next election.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Mrs. Mary Lucille Young, 74, of Youngstown, departed this life on Friday, April 10, 2026 at her residence where God welcomed her home.
Mary, affectionately known as “Mary Lou” and “Tang”, was born March 8, 1952 in Youngstown, a daughter of Lawrence and Ada Mae Alexander Hamilton Young.
She was a proud 1971 graduate of South High School.
Mary was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.
She attended Louis Weinberger Hill Beauty School, and was accepted as a model with Barbizon Modeling Agency.
Mary worked and retired from Youngstown Sheet and Tube.
She enjoyed looking her best, dancing, shopping, casinos and decorating her home. Mary was strong, bold and took no mess. She was loved by many people.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her pride and joy, two daughters, Adalatesha Bright and Richlynn Bright; two sons, Ja-Juan Young and Dr. Ty-Juan Bright all of Youngstown; five grandchildren; two sisters, Cynthia (Floyd) Davis, Janet (Steve) Gardner both of Youngstown; and a host of family and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Lamar Young; three brothers, Isaiah, Edward, Lorenzo Young.
Private services were held at the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lucille Young, please visit our floral store.
The NWSL is once again expanding, this time the league is heading to Ohio where Columbus NWSL 2028 will take the field. Of course, Columbus NWSL 2028 is a placeholder for now and the the new team will unveil its name, crest, and uniform to build an identity around as it approaches its first season.
News of the club was announced yesterday, though this has been in the works for some time, in a press conference. Team owners, the Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards, spoke about what they hope the club will bring to Columbus and women’s soccer more broadly.
“Our family is thrilled to help bring an NWSL team to Columbus and further invest in Ohio, with the honor of bringing the 18th team into the league,” said Haslam Sports Group Managing Partner Whitney Haslam Johnson. “We believe in the power of women’s sports and are humbled to be part of the number one women’s soccer league in the world.”
Nationwide insurance has been a corporate partner in both NWSL and MLS for years and now joins an ownership group deepening those ties. “Today’s announcement is about inspiring young athletes across Central Ohio, elevating women’s professional sports and reminding the world that Columbus is a first-class sports city,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide Chief Executive Officer. “As Nationwide marks 100 years, this is a powerful way to celebrate our milestone with the community that has been our home from the very beginning.”
The Edwards family has deep roots in the Columbus soccer scene with Dr. Pete Edwards serving as team doctor for the Crew in 1996 and the family joining the team’s ownership in 2019 during the Save The Crew effort. “Columbus is very important to our family. For over 30 years, we’ve supported the Columbus Crew and MLS. We’ve seen how a men’s professional soccer team has brought people together and created a positive impact in our community. It’s truly special to now welcome an NWSL club and the incredible women athletes who will also uplift our city on and off the pitch,” said Dr. Christine Edwards. “We’re very excited to partner with Haslam Sports Group and Nationwide for NWSL Columbus 2028, and we can’t wait to share even more memorable moments with fans, especially during the Club’s first game at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.”
The NWSL has continued its expansion with the announcement and the team will join Atlanta in its inaugural season in two years.
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