Buckeyes land 4-star linebacker, wait on 2 top-target recruits today

1/5/2013

One down, two to go?

That's what Ohio State is hoping after securing a verbal commitment Friday from four-star linebacker Trey Johnson.

Johnson's announcement at the Under Armour High School All-America game in Florida began what OSU coaches hope is a booming recruiting weekend. Two of their top targets in the Class of 2013 — linebacker Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas) and receiver James Quick (Louisville) — are set to make their intentions known today.

Ranked the nation's No. 2 inside linebacker by ESPN and fourth by Rivals.com, Johnson, a native of Lawrenceville, Ga., first committed to Auburn. But he backed off as the program tumbled from grace and Tigers coach Gene Chizik was fired after the season just two years removed from winning a national championship.

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound Johnson chose OSU over Florida and Tennessee to become the the Buckeyes’ 20th commitment in the Class of 2013.

Mitchell and Quick will make their pledge during today’s U.S. Army All-American game in San Antonio. Quick, ranked the No. 21 overall recruit in the country by Scout.com, will reportedly choose between OSU and Louisville. Mitchell, who visited Ohio State and is widely seen as leaning heavily toward the Buckeyes, is No. 33 overall.