Fairfax (Va.) Robinson Secondary five-star offensive tackle Tristan Leigh included Ohio State in his much-anticipated top five on Thursday afternoon alongside Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Oklahoma.
T O P 5… pic.twitter.com/8de3Zdi7Mt
— Tristan Leigh (@Leigh71Tristan) July 23, 2020
The 6-5, 270-pound Leigh is considered the third-best offensive tackle and No. 11 prospect overall in the class of 2021, making him one of the Buckeyes’ top-remaining targets in the current recruiting cycle next to Sammamish (Wash.) Eastside Catholic five-star defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and Steilacoom, Wash., five-star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa extended a scholarship offer to Leigh last September, and he made his first and only trip to Columbus on an unofficial visit for the 28-17 win over Penn State in November. It’s worth noting, though, that the Buckeyes weren’t actively recruiting him until IMG Academy five-star offensive tackle J.C. Latham unexpectedly committed to the Crimson Tide in June.
That allowed Clemson to take an early lead in Leigh’s recruitment, and the Tigers now hold 58 percent of the 247Sports crystal ball predictions. Ohio State is in line for an official visit, though, and the Buckeyes hope to swing things in their favor at that time, pandemic permitting.
Ohio State already holds commitments along the offensive line from Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal five-star guard Donovan Jackson and Richfield (Ohio) Revere four-star tackle Ben Christman, but the plan is to add two more this cycle. Leigh and Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass four-star guard Jager Burton are the top targets to fill those slots.
For four free issues of the now-monthly print edition of Buckeye Sports Bulletin, sign up at the link below. No credit card required: http://www.buckeyesports.com/subscribe-4issue-trial/
