The Buckeyes have started to build some momentum on the recruiting trail as of late in the 2023 cycle. With the addition of some new staffers, it was supposed to be a bit of slow start for the Ohio State staff but we are expecting some big news to come this week for the Buckeyes class of 2023.
Much like how Ohio State has been building momentum in the 2023 class, the Buckeyes staff has also been building up momentum as a unit in the 2024 grouping. Ohio State has handed out just under 20 scholarships to 2024 recruits in the past month, and some of the countries most elite are having their names slowly start to rise.
One of the soon to be biggest names in the 2024 cycle- Braydon Lee, out of Springdale, Maryland, just netted his Buckeye offer. The Silver Bulletin had a chance to catch up with Lee to discuss how he found out he was earning an offer from Ohio State and the funny story behind Larry Johnson recognizing the young talented cornerback’s ability.
Extremely excited to announce that I have just received my 9th offer from THEE Ohio State University!🌰#GoBucks@ryandaytime @R2X_Rushmen1 @CHFJAGS @RivalsFriedman @BrianDohn247 @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/6MwKK5Fpf0
— Braydon Lee (@_brayofficial) January 26, 2022
“Originally Coach Johnson actually came by to recruit my teammate, Desmond Umeozulu, who is a four-star nationally ranked defensive end,” said Lee. “Coach Johnson offered him first, and then I was told that he actually had some interest in me… I guess he flipped on the game tape and next thing I know they offered me. It was great.”
It does not happen often in the world of recruiting that a positional coach in the trenches keeps an eye out for a skill player when out on the trail but in this case itself, it definitely shocked Lee.
“When I found out that only five other defensive-backs in the class of 2024 have an Ohio State offer, it just put everything into perspective, how careful and focused they are in their recruiting,” said Lee. “I am just so grateful that they considered me to be one of the best in my class and in the nation to earn an offer from them so early… it’s a very humbling feeling and a blessing to be in this position.”
This was not the first big time offer Lee has earned since he released his sophomore tape. Schools such as Texas A&M and South Carolina have also joined the early sweepstakes for the talented rising sophomore. Lee holds 14 offers and that number is sure to skyrocket, but where does Ohio State fit into the mix this early on?
“When Ohio State offered me all I could think was, that’s just the NFL factory,” Lee explained. “They produce some of the best pro players and defensive-backs in the league and that is my number one goal in life…to play in the NFL. So to be at a school like Ohio State, you get the national spotlight and all the opportunities are right there. It can definitely be a place that can help me achieve my goal.”
Lee as stated resides in Maryland, and The Silver Bulletin wanted to know if staying in Big Ten country would matter to the young prospect when making his decision at the next level.
“Well I can say Ohio State has always been one of my dream schools, and the chance to play in the Big Ten would be amazing,” said Lee. “But honestly any Power Five conference is good enough for me, I just want to play where the best competition is whether it’s the Big Ten, SEC, or ACC. I’m just looking for to competing with the best.”
Carson MacRae comes to The Silver Bulletin with a vast football background. As a former player himself, Carson brought his expertise of the game to the recruitng analysis side, where he worked as a Recruitng Writer and Analyst at Rivals.com apart of Ohio State’s “BuckeyeGrove” network. After leaving Rivals, Carson joined forces with The Silver Bulletin as the Chief Recruiting Writer for the quickly growing Ohio State network. Carson is also proud member of Prep Redzone where he is as a National High School Football Scout providing in depth analysis on the top players around the country.