Ohio State may have lost out on five-star offensive lineman Felix Ojo, but that doesn’t mean the Buckeyes aren’t looking to add more depth to the trenches. In fact, Ohio State is very much in the running for another highly rated offensive tackle out of North Carolina.
Four-star prospect J.B. Shabazz trimmed his list to three, and the Buckeyes found themselves in position to lure the 6-foot-7, 295-pound tackle to Columbus. Joining Ohio State on the short list were South Carolina and Tennessee. Shabazz is listed as the No. 29 offensive tackle in the country according to 247Sports composite rankings.
Shabazz took official visits to North Carolina, North Carolina State, Penn State, South Carolina, and Tennessee. However, it was the Buckeyes who secured the final opportunity to sway the young man with a visit on June 20, and it appears that Shabazz was impressed with what he saw.
At this point, the Gamecocks seem to have the inside track to land Shabazz with one crystal ball pick to land in Columbia from South Carolina insider, JC Shurburtt. But don’t count Tyler Bowen out just yet. The OSU offensive line coach has already made a splash with a solid offensive line class, adding four commits in his first year in Scarlet and Gray.
We should know where home will be soon, as Shabazz has set a commitment date for Friday, July 11.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State makes the final three for four-star offensive tackle out of North Carolina
Reporting by Mark Russell, Buckeyes Wire / Buckeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
