Already with one 2016 wide receiver commit in Kierre Hawkins, the Buckeyes are still after several top receivers in the class such as Austin Mack, Donnie Corley, Javon McKinley, and others. Standing without an Ohio State offer, Ruben Flowers hopes he can prove himself and gain a Buckeye scholarship, which he has plenty of time to do throughout his senior season. The Lima Senior wide receiver is rated a three-star, the 65th wide receiver in his class, and the 13th prospect out of Ohio (Per 247Sports). Over the past year, Flowers has gained interest in a couple of Big Ten programs, such as Illinois and Iowa.

The recruiting process kicked up for Flowers when he received his first offer back in April of last year. Programs have shown a lot more interest in Flowers during 2015 with five of his six offers coming in the first third of the year. “It’s been a good experience with the different schools and different things coming at me. It has been picking up lately.” Flowers said. “The schools showing the most interest now are Illinois and Kentucky.”

Flowers is confident that the offers this year will keep coming, especially with the five he has already received this year. “I think Pittsburgh is really close. As well as Purdue, Michigan State, and Ohio State.” Flowers said.

Flowers has not been shy visiting Ohio State, camping at Friday Night Lights and visiting this past season in September, enjoying both of his trips to Columbus. “Friday Night Lights was a good experience because it gave me an outlook on how the competition is at Ohio State by being able to compete with recruits that have already earned scholarships. It showed me that the top players are only going to get into Ohio State.” he said. “I also visited for the Virginia Tech game, which was a really good experience being able to witness a sellout atmosphere. The fans are great. Everything was great.”

“It would be a nice experience to get an offer from one of the top programs.”

The future in the recruiting process will be quite busy for Flowers, as he is looking to get out to visit a couple more schools. “I want to get out to Notre Dame and NC State since they are starting to recruit me heavy.” he said.

Last season, Flowers received 62 receptions for 826 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is looking to produce more in his upcoming season to show what he can do. “Before I had a relaxed game, but it was good enough to make me an effective receiver. Now, I play more quickly. My speed was not there. Over the past off-season I was able to work on my speed. I am not just a still receiver, I worked on my speed and quickness.” Flowers said.

“I want to get better every season, and prepare myself for the next level because I do not want to get to college and be one to be red-shirted. I want to prepare myself now so I can be ready and go right into a school and have an impact.”

With plenty of time left in the recruiting process, there is a still a chance Flowers could receive an offer from the Buckeyes. With no commitment date, only time will tell.

Click the link to watch his junior season highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3461920/highlights/224376376/v2#

Before proceeding too much into the main topic of my article, I want to personally wish each and every one of the draft eligible Buckeyes the best of luck this weekend. Thank you so much for all that you have done for the Ohio State football program over these past few seasons – you have been through so much from the time you enrolled at Ohio State, and you helped secure a national championship as you are departing. Thank you, and best of luck to you all as you move forward onto your next football endeavors.

No matter where these players wind up, please be sure to look into The NFL Network all weekend long (April 30-May 2) to see if your favorite team has wisely selected a Buckeye in the 2015 NFL Draft. As a Browns fan, it would be tremendous to add all of the draft eligible Buckeye players, but I am cautiously optimistic that at least one will be helping the Cleveland Browns turn around their struggling ways.

Next week, I will be submitting an article detailing my thoughts and analysis on all Ohio State players selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. Until then, keep your eyes and ears open for news about all things related to the 2015 NFL Draft from NFL Network.

Go Bucks!

The Buckeye coaching staff have not been shy planting the recruiting flag in New Jersey these past couple of seasons. The most recent classes out of the Garden State have included several top players, including guys like Eli Apple, Noah Brown, and Darius Slade. The 2015 class will bring along one NJ commit in offensive tackle, Kevin Feder. For the 2016 class, the Buckeyes have already grabbed the 2nd player out of NJ, and top-ranked running back (per 247Sports), Kareem Walker. Along with the commitment from Walker, Ohio State is still in the running for New Jersey prospects such as Rashan Gary, and Ahmir Mitchell. Within the top ten prospect comes the 8th prospect out of NJ, and the 12th ranked defensive end (per 247Sports), Ron Johnson.

Johnson is a 6’4, 240 lbs player out of Camden, NJ. The four-star defensive end is on the radar for several top programs across the country. Just this year alone, Johnson has racked in eight offers, totaling up to over twenty. There is still a lot of time in the process, and it is expected that Johnson’s scholarship list will just continue to grow. “Throughout my recruiting process I learned that I need to listen to each coach regarding when I would play on the field.” Johnson said. With his twenty offers, there are programs recruiting him the hardest. “Rutgers, Michigan, South Carolina, Alabama, Miami and Ohio State have been showing me the most interest.”

Currently, there is no list of favorite schools, leaving the process open to new programs. “I am planning on visiting Alabama, Ole Miss, and Auburn trips. But I don’t have exact dates.” Johnson said.

Ohio State offered a scholarship to the top ranked defensive end back in September of 2014. Johnson was then able to make a visit the following month. “Ohio State is showing a lot of love. They are keeping in contact with me weekly, saying I would be great there. The coaches are real nice.” Johnson said. He was able to visit for the Rutgers game, and was amazed with the atmosphere in Columbus.

“The game was pretty cool, I liked everything about it. The stadium was huge, it was packed with tons of fans. When I arrived in Ohio it was just all red, which was amazing. I would love to visit again.”

If Johnson does not commit in the middle of his senior season, he is looking to commit at the end of the season of near National Signing Day. Doing so would allow him to see where some of the top talent is heading, such as Rashan Gary, who he keeps in contact with.

“The coaches tell me I am fast, with a quick first step and I use my hands well. But, sometimes I need to stay low on my get-off, which is what I want to improve.”

To end the conversation, Johnson wanted Ohio State fans to know that the Buckeyes will always be a top consideration for him. “I would like the fans to know that the Buckeyes will always be a top school for me because, they are the Buckeyes, and I love them.” Johnson said.

Johnson had a much improved junior season, recording 24 more tackles and 10 sacks from his sophomore season. Ron’s Head Coach, Dwayne Savage has witnessed this improvement and acknowledges his recent success. “Ron has a high motor, he is a pass rusher and can also stop the run. His frame allows him to move in and play the three technique, which makes him a versatile defensive lineman.” said Savage.

“Coach Warinner, recruits our area. And we were able to go out to see the Rutgers game. Ron loved the atmosphere and the facilities. We were not able to see the academic side of everything so we are planning another trip out to Ohio State before he makes his decision.”

Even though there is no favorites list, Ron seems to have very high interest in Ohio State. With a commitment from Ron, the Buckeyes would make another big presence in New Jersey.

Below are some of Ron’s highlights:

Currently with twenty two offers, cornerback Austin Andrews has seen a spike in his recruiting process, receiving five offers in a little over two months. Per 247Sports, Andrews is a three-star, the 67th cornerback in his class, and the 27th prospect out of Ohio, coming from Columbus. After going to a couple of camps last year, Andrews received his first offer from Ohio University.

Andrews now holds offers from some top tier programs such as Michigan State, Wisconsin, Boston College, and Missouri. He also holds offers from Toledo, Purdue, Pittsburgh, Ohio, Louisville, Kent State, Iowa, and Indiana. After visiting Ohio State multiple times, Andrews is still hoping for an offer from Ohio State. Overall, Andrews has been keeping busy with his recruiting process between visits and receiving offers. “It’s good, a lot of school coming into visit and calling on the phone, a lot of fun.” Andrews said. “Michigan State has been there since day one. Wisconsin has been showing a lot of love. Louisville, Boston College, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Iowa, and Ohio State have been in contact pretty frequently.”

His top four schools include three from the Big Ten, including Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Missouri. With no offer from the Buckeyes, Andrews still has been in contact with the staff. He has visit Ohio State for camp, and a handful of visits. Most recently, visiting for the spring game. “I have been up a lot, I live around five minutes away from campus.” Andrews said. He explained his last short trip over to Ohio State as “It was pretty cool, super hot with a bunch of people there.”

Coming off that last visit, Andrews has been happy with that the coaches have been telling him, but the local cornerback is still an offer shy from wearing a Buckeye uniform. “Iv’e heard pretty much everything I want to hear, without an offer. They want me like the way I play and stuff, but they are coming to visit my school to see me run and move around around, I believe next week. So we will see.” Andrews said.

Lookout for an Ohio State offer coming his way. Some top 2016 cornerbacks Ohio State has already offered include Damar Hamlin, Jared Mayden, Joejuan Williams, and Travyon Mullen. The chances Andrews makes this list is high, and if he were to get an offer, there would be a good chance we could see him playing as a Buckeye.

Below are some highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2875875/highlights/208015405/v2

Steven Smothers, the nations 27th wide receiver coming out of his class (per 247Sports), is still a legitimate target for the Buckeyes, even though the 247Sports Crystal Ball has a 92% chance of Smothers going to WVU, the school that was first to offer him back in April of 2013. The 5’10, 150 lbs speedster from Reisterstown, Maryland has kept loyal to the first school to show interest in him, but is still keeping his options open.

Smothers currently holds 26 offers, coming from top programs all over the country such as West Virginia, Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee, Michigan State, Florida State, and more. Back in June of 2014, Smothers had his top five, in order, as, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, and N.C. State. He know holds WVU to one  his favorites, having visited there multiple times throughout his recruiting process. “Now, I do not have an official list, but I do have a top three. West Virginia, Rutgers, and Tennessee, but I still have schools to visit.” Smothers explained.

Recruiting has really kicked up these past couple months for Smothers. This month, there have been offers from Michigan State, and Miami, as well as visits to Rutgers, and Penn State.”The process has been really fun. Personally, I do not see how people don’t like it, or want to rush it. Through the process, you really need to learn who is real and who is fake.” Smothers said.

Currently, the Buckeyes have one wide receiver commit coming out of the 2016 class in Kierre Hawkins. But, this is not surprising, being that it is still relatively early in the process for this class. The Buckeyes are after top receivers such as Austin Mack, and Justin Layne, both having Ohio State pretty close on their radar.

Smothers made a visit out to Ohio State back in March, accompanied by his coach, Anthony Burgos, and teammate, current Georgia commit, Patrick Allen. “We went for the game-like scrimmage during their spring practice. I had never seen anything, football wise, happen that fast. Each period was five minutes and they went by so fast. I was amazed. It was really cool to see their high-tempo offense go to work.” Smothers said. “I was walking around, and Coach Meyer called my name, and I was so shocked (laughs), he told me I remind him a lot like Percy Harvin. I was also able to be around Dontre Wilson, and Devin Smith, which was awesome.”

“I see myself fitting in that Ohio State offense well. I am built for that high tempo offense. High tempo you get a lot quick throws and can take shots down field, which is made for athletes like myself.”

Smothers wants to work on his speed, so he is currently running track. He also wants to work his blocking and routes. “Right now, I can just run a route and beat a guy. For me, it is about improving blocking and getting faster.”

To end the conversation, Smothers wanted to make it clear Tavon Austin and himself have a good relationship. He said he is his god brother, which is important to realize because, Austin did attend West Virginia, and currently plays for the St. Louis Rams.

For the future in his recruiting process, Smothers is looking to take a couple more visits. “Definitely West Virginia, Clemnson, Ohio State, USC, and Oregon. After the summer time I would like to have a top ten, and at the end of the football season I want a top five.” said Smothers. “I am definitely going to sign my letter on National Signing Day.”

Below are highlights: