Suspension will not affect recruitment of top Ohio State target

The top 2025 recruit in Ohio has found himself directly in the crosshairs of the state’s governing body for high school sports. For those who follow Ohio State football recruiting, this is nothing to fret over.

Trey McNutt, a safety from Shaker Heights, is not just the number one recruit in the state, he’s also the second-ranked safety nationally and number 29 player overall in the 247Sports Composite rankings. Ryan Day and his staff are working very hard to reel in McNutt. But thanks to his participation in a 7-on-7 tournament he will miss the first game of his senior season and possibly more.

In January, he played with the Fast Houston team at a tournament in Miami. That’s a violation of Ohio High School Athletic Association rules. Football players are prohibited from playing on a non-school team in any football competition between August 1st and May 14th. McNutt clearly violated that rule and the OHSAA handed down a one-game suspension. If he chooses to play in another tournament this weekend in Los Angeles, that suspension will almost certainly be extended.

While the rule may be a bad one and McNutt is understandably frustrated, this situation will not affect his recruitment, and it does not reflect on his character. By all accounts, he’s an outstanding young person who the Buckeyes see as a good fit for their program.

Missing a game or two of his high school season isn’t going to change that opinion. Although there are not any predictions on which school he will choose, the Buckeyes are considered the leader to land him. By the time McNutt puts his name on a letter of intent, this whole incident will be all but forgotten.

McNutt’s dad, Richard, is a former Ohio State football player who was a member of the 2002 national champions. He is currently an assistant coach under Eddie George at Tennessee State.