Previewing Ohio State's Surprisingly Huge Recruiting Weekend

Ohio State is set for a huge weekend, as a number of the nation's highest-rated recruits—including No. 1 overall prospect Rashan Gary—will make their way to Columbus, Ohio, to visit the Buckeyes.

It will be a pivotal stretch for head coach Urban Meyer, who's looking to dethrone Nick Saban and Alabama as the king of the college football recruiting world. 

With seven commitments already in the fold for 2016, Ohio State currently boasts the nation's No. 6 recruiting class. But one glance at this week's visitor list shows that Meyer is aiming much higher. 

Recruit	Position	Star Rating	Overall Rank
Rashan Gary	DT	5-Star	No. 1
Demario McCall	RB	4-Star	No. 49
Josh King	DE	4-Star	No. 51
Ahmir Mitchell	WR	4-Star	No. 88
Tristen Wallace	QB	4-Star	No. 138
Brad Hawkins	WR	4-Star	No. 163
Luke Farrell	TE	4-Star	No. 184
Ron Johnson	DE	4-Star	No. 271

Here's a rundown of Ohio State's marquee recruiting weekend.

Winning over the Best 

The top-ranked prospect from each of the last six recruiting classes (Trent Thompson, Leonard Fournette, Robert Nkemdiche, Dorial Green-Beckham, Jadeveon Clowney and Ronald Powell) have landed in the SEC, but that's a trend Meyer is hoping to stop this year.

That's why this weekend is so important.

Gary, the No. 1-ranked player for the class of 2016, will be in town to take in the sights on Saturday. Predictably, his offer list is stacked with the premier programs around the country, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Notre Dame and USC.  

As of right now, Ohio State's chances of landing the 6'4", 290-pound defensive tackle (who can run a reported 4.74 40-yard dash) are slim. According to 247Sports' Crystal Ball Predictions, the Buckeyes only have a 4 percent chance of earning his verbal pledge. 

That could change with a good visit, though. 

The Buckeyes certainly have plenty to sell. After winning the first-ever College Football Playoff, a trip to the trophy room would leave a lasting impression.

But beyond that, the Buckeyes have a huge need at defensive tackle after missing out on their top three targets—Christian Wilkins, Neville Gallimore and Terry Beckner Jr.—in 2015. And when you combine that with the loss of Michael Bennett and the pending departures of Adolphus Washington and Tommy Schutt, the Buckeyes can offer Gary an opportunity to make an impact immediately.

If Meyer can't sell Gary on that this weekend, it will be hard to make up the ground he needs to cover in order to land the Paramus, New Jersey, standout. 

More New Jersey Standouts

When defensive line coach Larry Johnson left Penn State to take the same position on Ohio State's staff, it was only a matter of time before the Buckeyes invaded talent-rich states such as New Jersey on the recruiting front.

Johnson, who spent 18 years recruiting the Northeast for the Nittany Lions, brought his invaluable connections with him to Ohio State, and Meyer is reaping the benefits. 

The Buckeyes are already making a strong push in The Garden State. Their top 2016 commitment—5-star running back Kareem Walker—hails from DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, New Jersey.

In addition to Gary, the Buckeyes will host a trio of talented Jersey prospects. 

Two talented wideouts in Ahmir Mitchell and Brad Hawkins will get the red-carpet treatment from wide receivers coach Zach Smith. Mitchell, rated the country's sixth-best athlete, and Hawkins, the 34th-ranked receiver, hold offers from the Buckeyes.

Mitchell is the key. According to 247Sports' Crystal Ball, the Buckeyes are in a battle with home-state Rutgers, which holds a 67-33 percent edge. Pulling the dynamic 6'2", 190-pound athlete away from home will be a challenge, but Meyer has a golden opportunity to impress Mitchell this weekend. 

And then there's Ron Johnson, the talented and highly coveted 4-star defensive end.

The Buckeyes already have commitments from a pair of outstanding pass-rushers in Terrell Hall and Jonathon Cooper, and they expect to land 5-star defensive end Nick Bosa in the coming months. Whether Johnson would like to join such a crowded group remains to be seen, but it may be a moot point anyway, as he's a heavy lean to Penn State. 

Ohio State's Next Great Quarterback?

Much was made of Ohio State's crowded quarterback room when 2015 signal-callers Torrance Gibson and Joe Burrow—both of whom were 4-star prospects—signed on as Buckeyes in February.

Ohio State isn't worried about having too many good options, though, because it's going after a pair of elite 2016 quarterbacks. 

Jarrett Guarantano, a New Jersey pro-style quarterback who's considering Tennessee and Rutgers alongside Ohio State, is one. The other is Tristen Wallace, a 4-star standout who's rated as the third-best dual-threat quarterback in the country.

The latter will be on campus for a visit this weekend. 

Wallace is making the trip north from DeSoto, Texas, with his parents and teammate Kadarrian Nixon, a 2017 wide receiver target who's also drawing interest from Ohio State. Both play for DeSoto High School, Dontre Wilson's alma mater, and Nixon offered some positive insight to Bill Kurelic of 247Sports.

If Ohio State offers me [a scholarship] I would commit,” Nixon said, per Kurelic. “Ohio State produces athletes. They know what to do with guys. They knew what to do with Dontre.”

The 5'8", 170-pound wideout also offered his thoughts on Wallace.

“He doesn’t say [too much about committing],” Nixon said. “But he might commit.”

Will that happen if the Buckeyes wow Wallace and his parents this weekend?

Representing the Buckeye State

A recruiting event at Ohio State wouldn't be complete without some homegrown talent.

Demario McCall (running back) and Luke Farrell (tight end), both 4-star prospects, will be on campus this weekend—and both are unanimous picks to eventually land with the Buckeyes, according to 247Sports' Crystal Ball Predictions. 

Will either pull the trigger this weekend?

Neither has a set announcement date right now, but according to Jeremy Birmingham of Eleven Warriors, McCall is one of the most likely candidates to announce his Ohio State commitment sooner rather than later.

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Despite already having George Hill and Kareem Walker in the fold for 2016, Ohio State has never slowed down in their recruitment, and there doesn't seem to be any reason to suspect that's going to change.

...

The Buckeyes were hoping McCall would be in the class by now, but they're not going to push him since they realize their current power position.

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Farrell's decision isn't expected anytime soon, but the Buckeyes are sitting pretty in pole position for their top tight end target. 

All recruiting rankings and information via 247Sports.

David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.