Ohio State leads or No. 10 Jeffrey Okudah; OU, Texas making moves
COPPELL, Texas -- At Sunday’s The Opening Dallas regional, ESPN Junior 300 defensive back Jeffrey Okudah was the one prospect every media member wanted to speak with. He has, for months, been an Ohio State lean, but recently returned from a visit to the University of Texas.
The 6-foot-1, 199-pound safety prospect quickly reiterated that his list has not changed following the trip to see the Longhorns.
“Right now, Ohio State has the lead and I’m working everything else out after Ohio State.â€
After the Buckeyes lost defensive coordinator Chris Ash to Rutgers, there was a brief thought that Ohio State could lose their lead. A strong hire by Urban Meyer squashed that chatter.
“… Hiring Coach Schiano is crazy,†Okudah said. “To have a former head coach coaching my position is big.â€
The nation’s No. 2-ranked safety plans to be in Columbus soon, most likely for Ohio State’s spring game on April 16. That’s not his only upcoming trip.
“I’m planning to go to Ohio State, Michigan and LSU with my family, and then go from there. I don’t have the dates locked down yet.â€
While Michigan isn’t a school mentioned among the most likely destinations for the Lone Star State’s No. 2-ranked prospect, Jim Harbaugh has Okudah’s attention.
“He’s an intriguing guy, and an intriguing guy catches your eye.â€
Among the schools considered serious threats to unseat Ohio State are Florida State, Stanford, Alabama, Oklahoma and now Texas following a Feb. 27th visit.
“[Texas] was a great experience. Before the junior day experience I wasn’t really looking at Texas too hard, but after sitting down with Coach [Charlie] Strong and Coach [Clay] Jennings, they are definitely back in my top list.â€
Following Texas’ back-to-back top-10 classes and the fast finish in February on signing day, the Longhorns are becoming more prevalent in the minds of top in-state prospects again, and that is having an impact in 2017 early on.
Along with Texas, Oklahoma has had Okudah on campus in recent weeks and the Sooners have early momentum in 2017 after the run to the college football playoff last season.
“A lot of guys up here are loving Oklahoma right now. Before the season when I went up there, Coach [Kerry] Cooks wasn’t sure how his DBs would play. They weren’t even talking about getting to the playoffs. Just to see them take off and get to the playoffs, it shows what kind of program they are. They are about winning games.â€
Okudah said he plans to release a top five before the summer.
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