Ohio State Recruiting 2015: Latest News, Rumors and Commit Updates

Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer hasn't lost a step on the recruiting trail since arriving at Ohio State, securing the Big Ten Conference's past three top-rated classes. He has his team primed for another strong push toward national signing day with several key prospects still uncommitted.

Ohio State currently holds 24 commitments in its 2015 class, according to 247Sports.

Let's take a look at the latest news, top targets and commits for the Buckeyes. 

Latest News

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Ohio State is one of four favorites for New York defensive end Austrian Robinson. The 6'6", 255-pound prospect shared his list Tuesday evening on Twitter, declaring the Buckeyes, Miami, Maryland and Ole Miss as teams to beat.

Robinson, rated 34th nationally among strong-side defensive ends, has the frame to potentially transition to offensive tackle down the line. He landed an offer from the newly crowned national champions after his senior season.

"I was really excited," Robinson told Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com. "I had been talking to (defensive line coach Larry) Johnson for a while, but just to hear him say that I had a scholarship was great."

Ohio State is set to host him for his final official visit Jan. 30, following his upcoming trips to Miami and Ole Miss. Robinson previously spent official visits at Maryland and Purdue.

Top Targets and Commitments

Name	Position	Ranking	High School	Status
Terry Beckner	DE	5-Star (17)	East St. Louis (East St. Louis, Illinois)	Target
Christian Wilkins	DT	4-Star (57)	Suffield Academy (Suffield, CT)	Target
Porter Gustin	LB	4-Star (59)	Salem Hills (Salem, Utah)	Target
Austrian Robinson	DE	3-Star (624)	Pawling-Trinity (Pawling, NY)	Target
Justin Hilliard	LB	5-star (25)	St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH)	Committed
Jerome Baker	ATH	4-Star (48)	Benedictine (Cleveland, OH)	Committed
Jashon Cornell	DE	4-Star (68)	Cretin Derham Hall (Saint Paul, MN)	Committed
Torrance Gibson	ATH	4-Star (73)	American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, FL)	Committed
Matthew Burrell	OG	4-Star (94)	C.D. Hylton (Woodbridge, VA)	Committed
Eric Glover-Williams	CB	4-Star (96)	McKinley (Canton, OH)	Committed
Mike Weber	RB	4-Star (99)	Cass Technical (Detroit, Michigan)	Committed
Nick Conner	LB	4-Star (193)	Dublin Scioto (Dublin, OH)	Committed
Dre'Mont Jones	DE	4-Star (220)	St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH)	Committed
Alex Stump	WR	4-Star (290)	St. Edward (Lakewood, OH)	Committed
Jamel Dean	CB	4-Star (291)	Cocoa (Cocoa, FL)	Committed
Joe Burrow	QB	3-Star (372)	Athens (The Plains, OH)	Committed
Grant Schmidt	OT	3-Star (448)	Roosevelt (Sioux Falls, SD)	Committed
Kevin Feder	OT	3-Star (455)	Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ)	Committed
Denzel Ward	CB	3-Star (484)	Nordonia (Macedonia, OH)	Committed
A.J. Alexander	TE	3-Star (494)	Lake Braddock (Burke, VA)	Committed
Tyler Green	S	3-Star (527)	DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD)	Committed
Joshua Alabi	DE	3-Star (538)	Cass Technical (Detroit, MI)	Committed
Rashod Berry	DE	3-Star (707)	Lorain Digital (Lorain, OH)	Committed
Carlton Davis	CB	3-Star (752)	Norland (Miami, FL)	Committed
Branden Bowen	OT	3-Star (780)	Corner Canyon (Draper, UT)	Committed
Mirko Jurkovic	OG	3-Star (798)	IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)	Committed
Robert Landers	DT	3-Star (861)	Wayne (Dayton, OH)	Committed
Joshua Norwood	CB	3-Star (n/a)	Valdosta (Valdosta, GA)	Committed
Liam McCullough	LS	2-Star (n/a)	Worthington Kilbourne (Columbus, OH)	Committed

Tuesday, Jan. 6

Ohio State could potentially return three standout quarterbacks next season and holds a pair of commitments from passers in its 2015 class. That could change before national signing day, as 4-star Florida prospect Torrance Gibson intends to explore other options. 

The 6'4", 200-pound prospect will spend an official visit at LSU later this month, per Shea Dixon of 247Sports. He is expected to arrive on campus Jan. 23, less than two weeks shy of signing day.

Gibson, who led American Heritage High School to state titles in 2013 and 2014, previously told Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue he planned to visit Auburn and UCF this month.

The Buckeyes landed his commitment in early November. Urban Meyer also holds a pledge from prolific in-state passer Joe Burrow.

Friday, Dec. 19

Running back Nyheim Hines elected to stay in his home state Friday, announcing a commitment to North Carolina State. The speedy 4-star prospect revealed his decision during an announcement ceremony at Garner High School, according to Barton Simmons of 247Sports.

Hines, rated second nationally among all-purpose backs in 247Sports' composite rankings, rushed for more than 3,000 yards as a junior in 2013. He's also a dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield, evidenced by nearly 600 yards through the air last year.

Ohio State was among several teams still under consideration entering the day. The collection of contenders also included Clemson, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Buckeyes assistant coach Chris Ash visited Hines in October. Ohio State already holds a pledge from 4-star Detroit rusher Michael Weber.

Thursday, Dec. 18

Maryland defensive back Juwan Briscoe is focused on two schools with seven weeks left until national signing day. The 3-star Thomas Stone high School standout is considering Ohio State and Georgia, according to Bill Kurelic of 247Sports (subscription required).

Briscoe, rated 35th nationally among cornerback recruits in 247Sports' composite rankings, spent official visits at both schools in November. He received a visit from Urban Meyer and assistant coach Larry Johnson last week.

The 6'0", 182-pound playmaker initially pledged to Clemson in May, but later backed off that commitment. He flashes above-average speed and brings a physical edge to the defensive secondary.

The Buckeyes currently hold commitments from five players expected to land in the defensive backfield when they head to Columbus, highlighted by 4-star in-state cornerback Eric Glover-Williams.

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Ohio State reeled in an interior defensive lineman Tuesday when tackle Robert Landers flipped his commitment from West Virginia, per Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com. The 6'2", 295-pound Dayton, Ohio, product picked up an offer from the Buckeyes earlier this month and followed with a campus visit.

Landers, who attends Wayne High School, initially pledged the Mountaineers in October. However, the Buckeyes identified a need up front and targeted the 3-star in-state prospect during late stages of the process.

He provides a powerful defender up front and moves well for an athlete of his stature. Landers, listed 50th nationally among defensive tackles in 247Sports' composite ratings, joins a class that sits atop Big Ten Conference recruiting rankings.

Tuesday, Dec. 16

Ohio State is in the mix for one of the country's most versatile running backs. North Carolina standout Nyheim Hines listed the Buckeyes as a finalist leading up to his Friday announcement:

"

Which will it be? I will be making my decision Friday, December 19, 2014 at the Garner High School gym at 3:00 pm pic.twitter.com/fvwM1RrvXO

— Nyheim Hines (@TheNyNy2) December 15, 2014"

The 5'9", 187-pound Garner High School rusher is also considering Georgia, Duke, North Carolina, Florida, West Virginia, Wake Forest, East Carolina, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech. Hines is projected to commit to NC State by 73 percent of expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball.

He burst onto the national recruiting landscape as a junior, rushing for 3,137 yards and 49 touchdowns, per MaxPreps. His receiving skills also shined, as Hines pulled in 29 passes for 599 yards and nine scores.

The 4-star prospect would provide a quality complement to recent Ohio State commit Michael Weber, who is more of a north-south runner. Hines could fill a slasher role and contribute as an H-back in Urban Meyer's offensive system.

Monday, Dec. 15

Ohio State missed out on coveted Virginia defensive end Josh Sweat last week, but fellow 5-star prospect Terry Beckner is still a possibility. The Illinois standout will spend an official visit in Columbus next month, just two weeks shy of national signing day and recently welcomed a key member of the Buckeyes staff to his hometown of East Saint Louis.

Co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash journeyed to meet with Beckner on Dec. 10, according to Bret Favachio of LandGrantHolyLand.com. The 6'4", 293-pound lineman rates third nationally among strong-side defensive ends in 247Sports' composite rankings.

He would likely line up along the edge at Ohio State but has the necessary physical frame to rotate between multiple positions. Beckner, who recorded 118 tackles and nine sacks during a breakout junior campaign, is also scheduled to visit Missouri in January.

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Ohio State addressed a key recruiting need Wednesday, landing 4-star Detroit running back Michael Weber. The Cass Technical High School standout announced his decision on Twitter:

Weber, a 5'10", 205-pound playmaker rushed for 2,268 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2014. It was his third straight season with at least 20 scores on the ground.

Weber previously committed to Michigan but backed off that verbal pledge in November. He is scheduled to spend an official visit in Columbus this weekend but preferred to make his intentions known beforehand.

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Ohio State came up short in the Josh Sweat sweepstakes Wednesday morning. The 5-star Virginia defensive end viewed the Buckeyes as one of five finalists but ultimately announced his intentions to attend Florida State:

"

Five-star DE Josh Sweat talks #FloridaState commit. Huge get for the #Seminoles. pic.twitter.com/d2SSc3EXYr

— Ryan Bartow (@RyanBartow) December 10, 2014"

Sweat, rated sixth overall in 247Sports' composite rankings, missed the majority of his senior season due to knee surgery. He recorded 94 tackles, including 31 for loss, and 22 sacks in 2013 at Oscar Smith High School

His final collection of collegiate options also included Oregon, Georgia and Virginia Tech. Ohio State hosted Sweat in September for his first of five official visits.

The Buckeyes already hold a commitment from 4-star Minnesota defensive end Jashon Cornell. Other pass-rushing targets include Porter Gustin (Utah) and Terry Beckner (Illinois).

Monday, Dec. 8

Ohio State has secured a key campus visitor for the upcoming weekend. Former Michigan running back commit Michael Weber shared he will spend an official visit in Columbus this weekend:

The 5'10", 205-pound rusher is rated 13th nationally among running backs in 247Sports' composite rankings. He backed off a verbal pledge to the Wolverines last month and has also shown interest in Notre Dame.

Weber rushed for 2,268 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior at Cass Technical High School in Detroit. Ohio State is still recruiting top-rated running back Damien Harris but Weber offers a top-tier alternative.

Friday, Dec. 5

Ohio State capitalized on the coaching change at Big Ten rival Nebraska by scooping up a commitment from Florida offensive lineman Mirko Jurkovic on Thursday. The 6'5", 275-pound IMG Academy product shared his decision on Twitter just five days after decommiting from the Cornhuskers:

Jurkovic, the son of a former Notre Dame All-American lineman,rates 51st nationally among offensive guards. He is the third offensive lineman to join this Buckeye's class since mid-November, following Matthew Burrell (Virginia) and Branden Bowen (Utah).

His blocking duties this season included protecting star IMG quarterback Deondre Francois, a Florida State pledge. Jurkovic received an offer from Tennessee this week but will head to Columbus for college.

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Ohio State quarterback commit Joe Burrow earned accolades for his impressive senior campaign that comes to an end this week. The Athens High School passer was named Ohio's Division III Co-Offensive Player of the Year:

Burrow, a 6'4", 205-pound prospect who committed to the Buckeyes in May, leads his team into the Division III state title game Thursday, Dec. 4. Athens is 14-0 this season, as he's thrown for nearly 4,000 yards and 57 touchdowns, per MaxPreps.

Coveted Florida athlete Torrance Gibson is also expected to arrive on campus as a quarterback next year. Burrow doesn't flash the same speed as Gibson but he's still rushed for 580 yards and five scores this fall.

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Josh Sweat is ready to reveal his collegiate intentions. The 5-star defensive end will announce a commitment Dec. 10, per Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.

The Virginia native spent an official visit at Ohio State in September. He is expected to choose between the Buckeyes, Oregon, Florida State, Georgia and Virginia Tech.

Though the team is busy preparing for Big Ten Championship action, a member of the staff will visit Sweat at Oscar Smith High School on Dec. 4, per Bartow. He could create an elite duo in Columbus by joining 2014 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Joey Bosa.

Bleacher Report national recruiting columnist Tyler Donohue broke down Sweat's decision while looking ahead at the highly anticipated announcement.

Recruit rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

http://247sports.com/Player/Michael-Weber-24703