Ohio State Recruiting: Pope gives Buckeyes terrific trio of LB commits
Another four star linebacker joins the Ohio State recruiting class.
When K’Vaughan Pope announced that he would be joining the 2018 Ohio State recruiting class Friday, it gave the Buckeyes their third outstanding linebacker commit. Along with Teradja Mitchell and Dallas Gant. Pope is now a member of a terrific trio of linebackers in the class.
He is ranked as the 7th best inside linebacker in the country and the No. 168 player overall in the 247Sports Composite.
Pope also makes the linebacker corp in the recruiting class more versatile. Even though he is a highly ranked inside linebacker, it looks as though Urban Meyer has different plans for him, at least at the beginning of his Ohio State career.
Here is what Pope had to say about his role as reported by Bill Kurelic of 247Sports:
"“I think I’ll play outside,” Pope said. “But they didn’t say if it will be Will or Sam (linebacker). It doesn’t matter to me as long as I play.”"
This young man has proven he is versatile and talented already. Check out what Pope accomplished his junior season as reported by Andrew Lind of Eleven Warriors.
"Pope finished his junior campaign with 135 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, six interceptions, 4.5 sacks, four defensive touchdowns, four forced fumbles, three blocked field goals, two blocked punts and two fumble recoveries. He also added 33 catches for 630 yards and seven touchdowns and 11 carries for 131 yards and two scores for the Generals last season."
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I would say he is a versatile player, wouldn’t you?
It appears Pope will be a good fit with Mitchell who is listed at 6 ft. 2, 243 pounds and plays in the middle, and Grant who is 6 ft. 3, 225 and an outside linebacker. The addition of Pope to the class gives Urban Meyer a second outside linebacker to the class for the moment.
However, with his ability to play in the middle, Pope may bulk up and make the transition to that position at some point in his career like Chris Worley has. Having a player who could add depth at both the inside and outside linebacker positions in the future will be a plus.
Next: Season depends on stopping these four players
It appears that Urban Meyer may add a fourth linebacker to the group as well. There are other high profile recruits on his radar he would love to add to the group. Whether or not that happens, it is still a great group of linebackers in his 2018 Ohio State recruiting class.