Cleveland, OH
How OT Aidan Bryant earned Ohio State offer after only 2 years of football: Buckeyes Recruiting Roundup
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Senior offensive tackle Aidan Bryant has accomplished something that is very rare in the world of recruiting. After just two years of playing organized football, Bryant has earned an offer from Ohio State.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive tackle out of Westfield High School in Indiana earned his Buckeyes offer during a visit for Saturday’s home opener against Youngstown State. While he had camped at Ohio State in June, the game-day experience was another level.
“That was the first time ever,” Bryant told cleveland.com. “It was electric. It was mind-blowing.”
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At June’s camp, Bryant continued to build a relationship with Ohio State director of recruiting strategy Nick Murphy. The two have a strong connection over several months, and Murphy is considered his main recruiter. The prospect has also become familiar with offensive line coach Justin Frye.
“I just liked his style of coaching,” Bryant said. “The things he teaches his players. Obviously, he knows what he is doing. He’s producing NFL draft picks every single year. Even talking to him, he has directed me on things. He is a good person for sure.”
As for his two-year experience, Bryant often keeps mum on that part of his story. He grew up playing basketball, but the football coaches saw something that he didn’t. After throwing on the pads for the first time at the end of his sophomore season, he found his calling.
Now it’s a dynamic that serves as endless motivation, but only a small part of his story.
“I don’t even like to bring that up or make an excuse,” Bryant said. “Most coaches won’t know unless I build a really deep relationship with them. I don’t want to be like, ‘Oh, I started two years ago.’ I want them to know it’s a lot of raw talent and I’m on the rise. My ceiling is so high right now.”
Bryant’s recruitment is unique in more than one way. The three-sport athlete (basketball, shot put) does not have a 247Sports rating at this time and has flown under the radar.
He holds six offers, including Ball State, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan. What was once a MAC-heavy recruitment is shifting as he is being heavily recruited by Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Indiana, and Purdue. Auburn reached out a day after Ohio State.
The Buckeyes offer could be the one that tips the scales. Immediately after earning the scholarship, Bryant says Ohio State is in his top two.
“It’s definitely a place I could call home within the next year or so,” Bryant said.
Any opportunity to display his talents is a no-brainer. His willingness to give coaches an in-person look at his skill set at camps has led to rising interest in the Power Five scene, and could be the catalyst to an explosive finish in his recruitment.
“I always put myself out there,” Bryant said. “I visited Ole Miss at the end of the summer. I wanted to make sure the coaches get to see me. IU and Purdue, they have seen me in person. These guys see me in person, and I pass the eye test for an offensive tackle. I run a 5.3 40-yard dash at 310 pounds. I just build relationships with these coaches. I never turn down anything.”
Like Ohio, Indiana prospects take pride in their home. Bryant has connections with Indiana-based Ohio State players, including defensive ends Caden Curry and Joshua Mickens. His closest connection is with Cleveland Browns rookie offensive tackle and former Ohio State first-team All-American Dawand Jones.
Jones, who wears No. 79 like Bryant, messaged and congratulated him after picking up the big-time offer.
“We have that brother connection right there,” Bryant said. “He knows I’m from Indy, he’s from Indy. Not too many people from Indy get the chance to get an Ohio State offer.
Bryant also got his first look at Marvin Harrison Jr, whose father, Indianapolis Colts legend Marvin Harrison, is a household name in the Hoosier State.
“It was great seeing Marvin Harrison Jr. play,” Bryant said. “He is an amazing player. Sharing the field with those guys would be amazing.”
As his recruitment shifts, his focus remains the same. Bigger programs are calling, but bigger goals are in sight. Bryant is polishing up his power game and explosiveness as he prepares for the next level.
“I am just taking it day by day and time by time,” Bryant said. “I am not rushing anything at the moment. As soon as I find that best fit, I’ll hop on. Ohio State is definitely up there, I’ll say that.”
Top-ranked OT puts OSU in top 5
What had long been suspected came to fruition on Sunday as Ohio State was announced as one of the final contenders for the nation’s top offensive tackle, Brandon Baker.
The news comes days after the 6-5, 285-pounder out of Mater Dei set his commitment date for his birthday, Sept. 24, according to Gregg Biggins of 247Sports.
Baker’s final five also includes Texas, Nebraska, Florida State and Oregon.
The five-star Monarch is the No 21 overall prospect and the No. 1 OT in the 2024 class. He would be the grand finale of a strong 2024 offensive line recruiting class with Devontae and Deontae Armstrong, Marc Nave and Ian Moore all verbally in tow.
The Buckeyes hosted Baker on an official visit on June 9, part of three officials that month, including Texas and Georgia.
After reeling off multiple unofficial visits to Oregon, he will take his final official visit to Nebraska when they host Northern Illinois in their home opener on Saturday. Riding a recruiting surge through their program’s success, the Longhorns are believed to be making a late push to land the coveted Californian.
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2025 4-star TE puts OSU in top 5
Surrounded by southern company, Ohio State has made the final five for one of the nation’s top tight ends.
On Wednesday, four-star Ethan Barbour put the Buckeyes in his final five and set a commitment date for Sept. 22. His final five also includes Georgia, Auburn, Alabama and South Carolina.
The 6-3, 215-pounder out of Alpharetta High School in Georgia is the No. 179 overall prospect and the No. 4 TE in the 2025 class. The Bulldogs have two 247Sports predictions to land the in-state talent.
Despite Barbour putting the Buckeyes in his top eight in July, Ohio State didn’t offer till last month, which will likely prove too little, too late.
2025 4-star safety puts OSU in top 10
Ohio State has made the cut for one of the nation’s top safeties.
Four-star Jadyn Hudson put the Buckeyes in his top 10, along with Michigan, Oregon, LSU, USC, Washington, Georgia, Penn State, Tennessee and Miami.
The 6-2, 180-pounder out of Pittsburgh High School in California is the No. 66 overall prospect and the No. 7 safety in the 2025 class.
Hudson earned his offer during his first visit to Columbus on March 20. That was his first introduction to safeties coach Perry Eliano and the rest of the Ohio State staff. Focusing now on a top 10, including emerging home favorite USC, Ohio State will likely have to crank up its interest in hopes of luring the West coast talent back to Columbus.
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