Ohio State Football: The 5 Most Important Recruits at Friday Night Lights

Friday Night Lights is the Ohio State Buckeyes' premier offseason recruiting event, and this year, it will draw some of head coach Urban Meyer's top targets to Columbus, Ohio, for pivotal visits.

The event was established when Meyer took over at Ohio State in 2012, and it has brought in big-time recruits such as Joey Bosa, Darron Lee, Raekwon McMillan and Torrance Gibson, all of whom wound up at Ohio State.

Which marquee prospects will be on hand this Friday?

Luke Farrell, 4-Star Tight End (2016)

Ohio State already has one tight end commitment with 4-star Jake Hausmann, but the staff is looking to add another for its 2016 class.

The guy at the top of its board is Luke Farrell, a 4-star prospect out of Perry, Ohio. Rated the fifth-best tight end and the No. 145 recruit overall, Farrell has offers from some of the nation's top programs, including Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame and Oregon.

A commitment from Farrell would give the Buckeyes two of the top five tight end recruits in the country, and according to 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictions, that's an inevitability. The home-state team is the unanimous favorite to land his pledge.

A good visit to Columbus should solidify that this Friday.

Damar Hamlin, 4-Star Cornerback (2016)

The Buckeyes already have 17 commits for their 2016 class, and with room for only six or seven more, the coaching staff is tightening up its selection process.

One unit that still has a big need is the secondary, which only has commits from cornerbacks Wayne Davis and Kareem Felder.

The Buckeyes would love to add Damar Hamlin to that group.

The 4-star cornerback is rated the No. 144 recruit nationally and has offers from 31 schools, highlighted by Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame and UCLA. But the Pittsburgh standout has been to Ohio State numerous times and is high on the Buckeyes, according to Tom Loy of 247Sports:

"

I've been up [to Columbus] a lot. This was just about spending time with the coaches. Coach Luke Fickell, coach Chris Ash and coach Kerry Coombs are all good guys. We have a good relationship. We’re real close. It’s another one of my top schools. I love everything about the coaches. It’s a great place.

"

The Buckeyes recently made his top-10 list, which wasn't a surprise as they're the leaders for his commitment, per 247Sports.

If things go well Friday, Meyer and Ohio State could solidify themselves as the leaders for Hamlin.

Lamont Wade, 4-Star Cornerback (2017)

It's not just 2016 recruits who will be heading to Columbus this weekend—many elite 2017 and 2018 prospects will be in attendance as well.

One of the most highly touted players bound for Columbus this week is Lamont Wade, a 4-star cornerback from Clairton, Pennsylvania.

Wade, the No. 5 cornerback and the No. 42 overall prospect for 2017, already boasts 15 offers from major programs before playing a single snap of his junior season. Auburn, Nebraska, Penn State, UCLA and Virginia Tech have already offered, but Ohio State is shaping up as the leader in his recruitment, per 247Sports.

With 20 months until signing day, however, it's pivotal for the Buckeyes to make an early impression. That's why this week is so important for Meyer.

Ohio State already has a pair of outstanding cornerback commits for 2017 in 5-star Shaun Wade and 4-star Marcus Williamson, and if it could get Wade in the fold, it'd have three of the top eight cornerbacks for the 2017 recruiting cycle.

Bruce Judson, 4-Star Athlete (2017) 

One of the most important recruits at Ohio State's Friday Night Lights will be a player who has already committed to the Buckeyes.

Bruce Judson, a 4-star athlete out of Cocoa, Florida, is one of the most sought-after junior recruits in the country. He boasts offers from schools such as Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Miami, but he spurned all of those southern suitors, committing to the Buckeyes in January.

But how hard will Ohio State have to fight to keep that commitment?

Judson has been active over the last two months, visiting Miami, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Auburn. But he says his involvement at these campuses isn't to scout other schools, and he's completely committed to the Buckeyes.

"

PSA:It's crazy how the media say I'm having second thoughts bout leaving Florida when I say after every interview im 100% to Ohio state‼️‼️

— #⃣L'sCampaign4⃣way⛽️ (@4way_lilbruce) July 17, 2015"

Still, Meyer will want to reaffirm that commitment this weekend.

Keyshawn Johnson Jr., 4-Star Wide Receiver (2017)

The son of legendary receiver Keyshawn Johnson has legitimate interest in joining the Buckeyes.

Keyshawn Johnson Jr., the 6'1", 195-pound receiver who's rated No. 122 overall in the class of 2017, has an incredible offer list that already includes Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Miami and USC, among others.

But the Buckeyes stand out because Michael Thomas—Johnson's nephew—has thrived in Columbus under Meyer. As a result, Ohio State is shaping up as a contender with USC and Nebraska for Johnson Jr.'s commitment.

Even though Ohio State relies so heavily on the run game, Johnson feels that Ohio State would be a fantastic fit for his son.

"I feel good about [Ohio State]," Johnson said, according to Ari Wasserman of Northeast Ohio Media Group. "I like what they do from an offensive perspective. I think a lot of times, especially at skill positions, a lot of people would think, 'Why would you go to Ohio State to play receiver?' If you know football, it's a pretty good school to go play receiver."

The Buckeyes slightly trail USC for the lead in Johnson Jr.'s recruitment, but a good visit this Friday could change that.

All recruiting information via 247Sports.

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