Fifteen days after he announced an offer May 20 from Ohio State, Jake Seibert jumped on his chance to join the Buckeyes’ 2020 recruiting class Tuesday when he announced his commitment.
COMMITTED!! #GoBucks ⭕️🙌🔜 pic.twitter.com/NttJ6GCZ6x
— Jake Seibert (@seibert_jake) June 4, 2019
The 6-1, 190-pounder from Cincinnati La Salle — the same high school as junior punter Drue Chrisman — projects to become OSU’s leg of the future behind junior kicker Blake Haubeil.
According to Chris Sailer Kicking, Seibert is the No. 1 kicker in the nation for 2020.
“Jake is a special kicking talent. He is an amazing athlete with a big time leg and natural ability,” Seibert’s evaluation read. “He hits a great ball off the ground on field goal. He has 60+ yard range and gets excellent lift on his ball. His kickoffs are D1 ready right now. Jake drives the ball deep into the end zone with 4.0+ hang time. He is a competitor that thrives under pressure. The sky is the limit here. Jake is a fine young man with a great attitude and work ethic. Big things ahead for this Chris Sailer Kicking Kicker. Look for Jake to dominate this 2019 off season and pick up multiple D1 offers. Excellent prospect. OFFER NOW!!!”
Seibert racked up scholarships after he completed his junior season of high school, starting Feb. 19 when Temple offered.
More came throughout the spring from Pennsylvania (March 16), Akron (April 6), Air Force (April 17), Michigan State (May 3), UCLA (May 8) and Ohio State.
Seibert’s recruitment kicked off under former special teams coordinator/cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson in 2018, visiting Nov. 3 for the Buckeyes’ 36-31 win over Nebraska at Ohio Stadium.
OSU continued its interest once head coach Ryan Day took over in January and hired special teams coordinator/assistant secondary coach Matt Barnes.
Seibert returned to Columbus midway through Ohio State’s spring camp, stopping by March 23 for the Buckeyes’ fifth practice — student appreciation day — at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Seibert’s commitment comes four days after Catawissa (Pa.) Southern Columbia 2020 five-star wide receiver Julian Fleming (6-2, 199) pledged to OSU.
With Seibert’s addition, the class cracks double digits for the first time at 10 members — Cincinnati St. Xavier five-star offensive tackle Paris Johnson (6-7 1/2, 295), Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional four-star center Luke Wypler (6-3 1/2, 285), Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral four-star quarterback Jack Miller (6-4, 210), Sammamish (Wash.) Eastside Catholic four-star wide receiver Gee Scott (6-2 1/2, 207), Rockwall, Texas, four-star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6-1, 188), Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star defensive back Lejond Cavazos (6-1, 190), Cincinnati Elder three-star offensive tackle Jakob James (6-5, 275); Norwalk, Ohio, three-star offensive tackle Trey Leroux (6-8, 355) and Fleming.