Ohio State Football Recruiting Offers of the Week

The Ohio State Buckeyes' blitz on elite 2017 and 2018 football prospects continued as head coach Urban Meyer sent out seven new offers to underclassmen last week.

That's a trend that's been developing over the last month. With most of the targeting for the 2016 recruiting cycle nearly complete, the Buckeyes coaching staff is focusing on its long-term strategy.

That process led the staff to these blue-chip prospects last week.

Baron Browning, 5-Star Inside Linebacker (2017)

Of the seven offers sent out last week, none grabbed more attention than the one sent out to standout linebacker Baron Browning.

"

Honored to receive a offer today from THE hio State University‼️#uckeyes pic.twitter.com/I5M6hSHi5s

— He-〽️an (@baronbrwnng) May 21, 2015"

The 5-star prospect out of Kennedale, Texas, is rated the No. 1 inside linebacker and the No. 31 prospect overall for the 2017 class. He holds offers from programs such as Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Stanford and Texas, but Baylor and Texas A&M hold the early lead for his commitment, according to 247Sports' Crystal Ball.

It's early enough for the Buckeyes to change that, though, which is why Meyer and the coaching staff issued the offer. Recruiting the Lone Star State is difficult for teams as far north as Ohio State, but Meyer has found avenues into the talent-rich recruiting territory. Since taking over in 2012, Meyer has landed 4-star Texas prospects such as J.T. Barrett, Dontre Wilson, Demetrius Knox and Tristen Wallace.

Can he add Browning to that list?

If he can, the Buckeyes will add one of the country's best linebackers to a 2017 recruiting class that's shaping up to be legendary. Ohio State already has six commits for its 2017 class, two of whom are 5-star prospects. Browning would be another elite piece to the brilliant puzzle Meyer is assembling. 

Ambry Thomas, 4-Star Cornerback (2017)

Keeping their focus on elite 2017 defenders, the Buckeyes offered 4-star standout Ambry Thomas on Wednesday.

"

Truly blessed to receive my 13th offer from The University f hio State The National Champions #OhioState #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/90TsRvaI9R

— Ambry Thomas 1⃣3⃣ (@Tavonn_) May 20, 2015"

Thomas, a native of Detroit, Michigan, is rated the No. 11 cornerback and the No. 150 prospect nationally. He has offers from major programs in the Midwest such as Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State and Missouri, but it's only a matter of time before his recruitment goes national. 

The offer from the Buckeyes surprised Thomas, though, according to Allen Trieu of Scout.com. 

"

I actually saw Coach Coombs and the wide receiver coach come in the building today, but I didn't think anything of it. Because they came in before, they came two weeks ago and there was nothing, but it's a wonderful feeling to know that a school like Ohio State is interested me, knowing that I'm only a sophomore.

"

Can Meyer and Ohio State steal another elite prospect from Michigan? That's something the Buckeyes have done regularly under Meyer, and pulling Thomas away from the Wolverines and the Spartans would be a huge victory for Ohio State.

Other Offers from the Week

Daquon Green, 4-Star Wide Receiver (2017)

Jonathan Ford, Unranked Defensive End (2017)

Asante Samuel Jr., Unranked Cornerback (2018)

Benjamin Sapp, Unranked Cornerback (2018)

Brian Snead, Unranked Running Back (2018)

All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.

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