Former Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford had been with the Buckeyes since 2015. In the midst of spring practice this year, Ryan Day suddenly found himself in need of a replacement after Michigan hired Alford away from Columbus.
In a similar vein, Ohio State turned to a fellow Big Ten program and hired Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn.
Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star running back Jordon Davison had high praise for the hire.
“Coach Locklyn is my guy. He is one of the coaches I have a great relationship with,” Davison told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I like him a lot and it is big that he is going to Ohio State.”
Davison visited Ohio State this past weekend.
“There was a lot of competitiveness and a vibe change around the program,” Davison said of the Buckeyes. “You can tell that they are all in on winning a national championship there.”
Recent expert prediction favors Buckeyes
On3’s Steve Wiltfong logged an expert prediction for Davison in favor of Ohio State on Monday.
“Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star running back Jordon Davison visited Ohio State last week, and the Buckeyes are trending in this recruitment,” Wiltfong said. “I believe the Buckeyes lead for Davison, and I have now entered an expert pick on the RPM for Ohio State to land the talented back. Once OSU names a running backs coach, things could really pick up between the two parties.
‘The culture and the development of the program, my experience was great,’ Davison said of Ohio State.
“Alabama, Colorado, Michigan Oregon, Texas and Texas A&M are some of the other contenders for the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Davison. I think they’re all chasing Ohio State right now though.”
More on Ohio State recruiting
It was a successful weekend for Ohio State on the recruiting trail. The Buckeyes picked up four recruits in Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy London Merritt, Port Saint Lucie (Fla.) Vero Beach four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford, Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic four-star wide receiver De’zie Jones and his high school teammate and safety DeShawn Stewart.
“I’m big on tradition,” Alford told On3. “It’s a college town and I want to be in a college town and get that college atmosphere. There is a lot of history at Ohio State and people leave a legacy. I feel like if you go there, you are on the verge of making history and your name will be written in the history books for college football.”
The four-star was impressed by James Laurinaitis’ success while playing college football at Ohio State. The coaching style of the Buckeyes’ assistant also intrigues him.
“I like how he talks to people,” Alford said. “He is young enough to relate to younger recruits, but he is also old enough and been through things to relate to their parents… Coach Laurinaitis can do both. He makes everybody feel comfortable and feel the love.”
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