Ohio State Football: Previewing Surprisingly Important Recruiting Weekend

The No. 22 Ohio State Buckeyes are busy preparing for Saturday's prime-time matchup against Cincinnati, but off the field, Urban Meyer is getting ready for a surprisingly important weekend on the recruiting front.

As a result of on-the-fly visit announcements from two of Ohio State's top targets, this weekend has turned into a pivotal event for the Buckeyes' 2015 class.

Meyer called the Virginia Tech game "probably the biggest of the year" for Ohio State recruiting, according to Mike Barber of The Richmond Times-Dispatch. The Buckeyes hosted numerous 2015 and 2016 prospects, including No. 1 overall recruit and 5-star defensive end Josh Sweat, 5-star running back Damien Harris and 4-star offensive tackle Matthew Burrell.

But this weekend could have just as big of an impact on the Buckeyes '15 class.

Rolling out the Red Carpet for Torrance Gibson

Ohio State was set to host Torrance Gibson for the Virginia Tech game, but due to a scheduling conflict with his high school football team, he was unable to make the trip.

Forced to reschedule, Gibson entertained the idea of visiting for the Michigan game, per Ari Wasserman of the The Plain Dealer. But earlier this week, the star quarterback announced his intentions to visit Columbus this weekend.

The 4-star quarterback out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was very high on the Buckeyes early, but they dropped down his list throughout the past summer. That changed in a big way when he visited for Ohio State's Friday Night Lights football camp in July—a trip that vaulted the Buckeyes to the top of his list.

According to the Crystal Ball Predictions from 247Sports, the Buckeyes have a heavy lead over Tennessee for his commitment.

School	Chance of Landing Gibson
Ohio State	76%
Tennessee	14%
Auburn	9%

Meyer and the Buckeyes can further their lead for Gibson this weekend.

Flipping Jerome Baker?

Jerome Baker is one of the top prospects in Ohio (ranking No. 2 behind Ohio State commit Justin Hilliard), and naturally, he was one of Meyer's most heavily recruited players in this year's class.

The Buckeyes were heavy favorites to land Baker's commitment this summer, but the momentum of his recruitment shifted greatly the week leading up to his announcement, when the talented linebacker verbally pledged to the Florida Gators.

Credit: 247 Sports

That never stopped Meyer from recruiting the Cleveland product, according to Ari Wasserman of The Plain Dealer.

"I don't think they are going to just let me go at all," Baker said of the Buckeyes. "They are still coming after me."  

Meyer will have a great chance to impress Baker when he makes the trip south this weekend. The visit has Bucknuts editor Dave Biddle and 247Sports' Steve Helwagen openly wondering whether Baker will flip to the Buckeyes if Will Muschamp's struggles continue at Florida.

If the Gators can't bounce back from their loss to Alabama and string together a nice season, Baker could wind up with the Buckeyes.

Stealing from the SEC

Baker's not the only recruit who could be pulled from the SEC's grasp this weekend.

The Buckeyes are also set to host 5-star Kendall Sheffield—one of the nation's most highly recruited prospects—this weekend.

Sheffield is the No. 3-rated cornerback and the No. 16 recruit nationally, boasting offers from programs such as Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon and USC. Texas A&M has an overwhelming lead for the home-state product, though, with Alabama trailing, according to 247Sports.

School	Chance of Landing Sheffield
Texas A&M	91%
Alabama	9%

Ohio State is facing a long, uphill battle in his recruitment, but getting him to Columbus for a visit has given Meyer and the Buckeyes a chance.

All recruiting information and stats via 247Sports.

David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.