Recruiting roundup: DBs from Wayne, Lakota West make college commitments

This Cox Media Group Ohio recruiting update begins with the news of a pair of verbal commitments.

Over the weekend, Wayne defensive back Justin Harris announced he is off the board, but he won’t be going far away to continue his career and attend college.

Harris is headed to Cincinnati.

In his announcement, Harris gave a shoutout to Cincinnati assistants Marcus Freeman and Mike Mickens, both of whom are Wayne graduates.

Harris wasn’t the only southwest Oho pickup for Freeman, Mickens and head coach Luke Fickell.

They also got a commitment from Lakota West defensive back J.J. Ross.

RELATED: The area’s 10 top-rated prospects for 2019

According to BearcatsJournal, Ross is the first Firebird to commit to UC since Kevin Schloemer in 2010.

Southwest Ohio has not surprisingly been a big emphasis in the first two years on the job for Fickell.

He signed five area players last year: Franklin running back Ryan Montgomery, Dunbar running back Tavion Thomas, Xenia receiver Meechi Harris, Springfield tight end Leonard Taylor and Fairfield defensive end Malik Vann.

Meanwhile, other area standouts continue to add offers. 

Fairfield tight end Erick All is building a nice list, one most recently joined by Michigan State.

All also has offers from Notre Dame, Michigan and Florida State.

He’s far from the only college prospect on the Indians roster, of course.

Jutahn McClain, who is a 2020 running back prospect, already has offers from Rutgers and Louisville.

Now we can add Jeff Tyus to the list after he received his first offer earlier this month.

It came from Morgan State.

Tyus threw for 1,067 yards and ran for 369 more last season for the Indians.

The Bears also recently offered Michael Brown-Stephens of Springfield, who has reached double-digits, while Trotwood-Madison junior defensive back Sammy Anderson tweeted he has been offered by Boston College.

Anderson’s offers also include UC, Ball State, Georgia Tech, Toledo and Eastern Kentucky while teammate Jaison Williams has an offer from Akron.

One of Fairfield’s GMC rivals also has at least a pair of players getting Division I interest. 

Hamilton senior defensive lineman Ryan Ponder has an offer from Butler while Big Blue junior Khaliyal Sowell earlier received an offer from Indiana.

Sowell ran for 644 yards last season and threw for 610 last season.

In all, six of the area’s players have committed to Division I schools. 

Prior to Harris and Ross choosing UC, Springfield defensive back Moses Douglass committed to Kentucky, Northmont teammates Jestin Jacobs and Gabe Newburg picked Iowa and Michigan, respectively, and Bellbrook's Hayden Bullock chose Air Force.

Last week, Springfield lineman Isaiah Gibson announced his final top 10 while much buzz continues to surround Alter quarterback Connor Bazelak.

Did we miss anyone? Let us know at marcus.hartman@coxinc.com. 

About the Author