2027 5-star CB discusses why Texas A&M stands out in his recruitment
Five-star CB Joshua Dobson considers Texas A&M after visit.
Ohio State's coaching staff is actively recruiting top prospects across the country, including visits to Alabama for WR Deshawn Hall and EDGE Asa Burch. The Buckeyes aim to secure commitments from these key players before the recruiting cycle concludes.
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Cortez Hankton is still getting his feet wet as the Ohio State wide receivers coach. A room with an embarrassment of riches, the 2026 season is sure to provide some elite production thanks to the guys who were already on the roster, but many will give the nod to Hartline for what he left behind. Still, Cortez is now steering the ship. In his first season of recruiting for the Buckeyes, he is wasting no time at trying to prove he was the right man for the job. Making his rounds on Wednesday, Hankton made the trek to Alabama to check in on Prattville product, **Deshawn Hall**. A 6-foot-5, 185 pound athlete, Hall is the No. 201 player nationally and the 25th best receiver in the 2027 class per the 247Sports Composite. With 30 offers to his name, Ohio State has pulled the trigger in extending their own offer, but it’s the nearby SEC schools such as Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee who have been the likely frontrunners for his services. No small gesture, any time an Ohio State coach is making an in-person visit it means something. Believing they have a real shot to swoop in and become a player in his recruitment, this visit wouldn’t be made unless Hankton thought there was still a fighting chance for the Buckeyes.
It was a pleasure having @OhioStateFB@Coach\_Hankton stop by to visit with WR @1take\_D33 and check out some of our athletes today! #GoLions 🦁 pic.twitter.com/FBtTushfG9
Ohio State coaches visited WR Deshawn Hall and EDGE Asa Burch, among others, to enhance their recruitment efforts.
Deshawn Hall is ranked as the 25th best receiver and the No. 201 player nationally in the 2027 class.
Asa Burch is a 6-foot-5, 210-pound edge rusher ranked No. 116 nationally and is a top-five player in Ohio for the 2028 class.
Ohio State coaches are focusing on wide receiver and edge rusher positions, targeting top recruits like Deshawn Hall and Asa Burch.
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— Prattville Lions Football (@PrattvilleFB) May 6, 2026
A goal in every class, Ohio State will always look to keep their best in-state products at home for their college decision. Looking ahead to the 2028 class, the Buckeyes are putting a ton of effort into **Asa Burch** and that’s going to be a theme until he signs on the dotted line — hopefully with Ohio State. A 6-foot-5, 210 pound edge rusher, Asa is the No. 116 player nationally and 14th best edge rusher in the 2028 class per the 247Sports Composite. A top-five player in Ohio as well, he is exactly the caliber of player the coaching staff is looking to keep home and do so in a quick manner. Just a high school sophomore, it’s exciting seeing what he’s already able to do, but by the time he’s a senior, that four-star status is only likely to increase into more. Nearly 20 offers to his name, Ohio State will have a battle on their hands, and Wednesday they sent James Laurinaitis his way as the latest coach to pay him a visit. One player this staff will continue to check in on, the Buckeyes have the luxury once again of having one of the better players nationally right in their back yard. Getting him back to campus is next, but sending in one of the better recruiting position coaches this program has to offer shows how highly they value his recruitment.
Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis was at Warren G. Harding High School to see four-star EDGE Asa Burch. One of the top 2028s in Ohio 📈pic.twitter.com/IHFB239m6Y
— Mick Walker (@mickdwalker) May 6, 2026
Cortez Hankton wasn’t the only coach to head south on Wednesday, as safeties coach Matt Guerrieri also made his way to Alabama to check in on another Prattville product by way of safety **Jayden Aparicio-Bailey**. A 6-foot-2, 195 pound defensive back, Jayden checks in as the No. 134 player nationally and ninth best safety in the 2027 class per the 247Sports Composite. Prattville has plenty of top tier talent, and Ohio State is taking notice and putting their best efforts forth to be contenders.
🌰🌰 @MattGuerrieripic.twitter.com/IzH5x1jCPT
— Jayden Aparicio-Bailey (@Jaayy3\_) May 7, 2026