In-State Recruiting: Looking at Top Ohio Football Prospects in 2022 Class

Catching up on the top high school football prospects within the state of Ohio.

Ohio State is already off to a great start with the football recruiting class of 2022, and will likely have the chance to repeat with consecutive No. 1 classes if the Buckeyes can maintain the top spot in the current 2021 rankings.

Winning your own backyard can be vital in the recruiting game. All three of OSU’s current 2022 commits (linebacker C.J. Hicks, cornerback Jyaire Brown and offensive tackle Tegra Tshabola) are from within the state and there are plenty of other options also available.

While the Buckeyes will obviously remain aggressive throughout the entire country and pull talent from everywhere, they have continually dominated close to home. Here’s a closer look at some of the top players from Ohio in the 2022 group:

Gabe Powers (Outside Linebacker – Marysville): The No. 1 player in Ohio, Powers is also regarded as a top-50 player overall nationally and lives just a half hour from campus. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound should easily be OSU’s top in-state target.

Aamil Wagner (Offensive Tackle – Dayton): A 6-foot-6 standout for Huber Heights Wayne, Wagner is a top-100 player nationally and arguably the second-best prospect within Ohio. Top 10 at his position, the Buckeyes are not currently one of his nine offers but likely get in the mix soon. Kentucky appears to be making the strongest push thus far.

Gi’Bran Payne (Running Back – Cincinnati): The La Salle High School product does not currently have an offer from Ohio State and, as a result, did not include the Buckeyes in his recent top-10 list. However, his relationship with Tony Alford has reportedly been growing stronger in recent months so a scholarship could very well be coming. Alabama, Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin are the largest suitors right now for the MaxPreps Junior Preseason All-American.

Kaden Saunders (Wide Receiver – Westerville): The wide receiver from Westerville South, just 20 minutes from campus, is the sixth-ranked prospect in Ohio and right around the top-20 at his position nationally. He has made a visit but is still waiting to add the Buckeyes to his growing list of 15 offers, which includes the likes of Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Penn State, Arizona State and others. Although most every school is recruiting him at WR, Saunders could end up being categorized as an athlete and playing defensive back in college.

Trey Bixby (Defensive End – Lakewood): This sizeable 6-foot-5, 240 prospect from powerhouse St. Edward HS is perhaps the fastest rising junior in the state. While the pandemic has certainly hindered his visits and camps, Bixby has been in contact with Ohio State and several other Big Ten programs. The Buckeyes were hoping to see him in person this summer but logistical barriers have presented themselves with COVID-19. Minnesota was the first to offer and has seemingly had the most interaction.

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