Ohio State Football: Buckeyes going all in on 2021 running backs

The Ohio State football team swung and missed on 2020 highly rated running back recruits. The Buckeyes are going all in on the 2021 running back class.

The Ohio State football team hit the recruiting trail hard this past week and it has been especially noticed that they are going big game hunting for a prized 2021 running back. Miyan Williams, a three-star Cincinnati Winton Woods prospect and current member of the Ohio State 2020 recruiting class, was the only running back the Scarlet and Gray secured during this cycle.

While Ohio State loves the potential of Williams, the Buckeyes are looking for a top-notch running back commitment for the 2021 recruiting class.

Among that group is four-star Warrenton, Georgia and IMG Academy prospect Lovasea Carroll who recently announced that the Buckeyes are a member of his top five schools. Carroll who previously committed and de-committed to South Carolina, is trying to line up a visit to Ohio State this spring, according to Lettermen Row.

Another tailback who has caught the Buckeyes’ eye is Donovan Edwards, the country’s No. 2-ranked running back from West Bloomfield, Michigan. And via Lettermen Row, Ryan Day made a stop to visit Edwards last week.

Edwards, a four-star recruit from 247Sports composite rankings, holds offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Alabama among many others. Edwards is considered to be a Michigan Wolverine lean but we will see what coach Day and coach Tony Alford can do to make this recruitment more interesting.

The Buckeyes are also making a run at the nations No.1 ranked running back in 2021, Camar Wheaton from Garland, Texas.  The five-star prospect was paid a visit last week from Buckeye running backs coach Tony Alford according to Jeremy Birmingham of Lettermen Row.

Wheaton earned high praise from his 247Sports scouting report:

"Serious home run-hitting ability. Displays encouraging patience to allow blocks to materialize. Gears down a bit when asked to change direction or string moves together. Sometimes runs high and presents a bigger target. Among the top offensive prospects in Texas for the 2021 class."

Lastly, Ohio State is still high on five-star running back Will Shippley from Matthews, North Carolina. Shipley is an outstanding recruit who currently holds offers from Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama and Notre Dame. The Irish are currently favored to land his services according to 247Sports Crystal Ball Predictions.

Shipley made a visit to Ohio State for the Wisconsin game and came away impressed by the atmosphere, from Lettermen Row this past October:

"“It definitely exceeded expectations,” Shipley told Lettermen Row as he was making his way home Sunday afternoon. “I didn’t know what to think coming in, but everything about it was incredible.”"

Shipley would be a big time get for Ohio State but it sounds like they may have some work to do on his recruitment.

The Buckeyes are also looking at four-star backs Corey Kiner, Cody Brown and Evan Pryor. The recruiting of this running back class is surely going to be fascinating as we head into the spring.

The 2021 recruiting class is loaded with top flight running backs. Ohio State swung and missed during the 2020 cycle so it is imperative to land one of these big time prospects to add to the running backs room come fall of 2021.