Observations of the 2023 Recruiting Class 

<span style="font-size: 1rem;">The 2023 class of Ohio is deep in terms of defensive linemen, running backs, offensive linemen, and the all-inclusive athlete category. For the third year in a row, in terms of class strengths, the men up front, defensively and offensively, is especially impressive. Bigger, faster, and stronger is the best way to describe the linemen in the 2023 class. The running back class is one of the deepest in recent years and seven of the top fifty players in the class fall into that category. The 2023 defensive backfield class doesn’t seem that strong but that may be deceptive in that the athlete category, which includes several multi-dimensional players, is very strong with eight of the top fifty falling into that position group.</span> <strong>Defensive Line</strong> The strongest position group at this point in the rankings for 2023 is the defensive line with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34500" first="Brenan" last="Vernon"]</strong>, 6’5” 240 from Mentor, leading the way. Three more defensive linemen, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34499" first="Luke" last="Montgomery"]</strong> from Findlay, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34494" first="Kobie" last="Gorman"]</strong> from Pickerington Central, and <strong>Kyler Rosa</strong> of Dublin Jerome, are in the top ten of the 2023 class. Two more defensive ends are in the top fifty of the rankings making a total of six overall for the position group.  All are athletic big defensive ends or tackles who dominate the opposition and are stout along the line of scrimmage and can make plays on the perimeter due to their quickness and agility. <strong>Running Backs</strong> Seven of the top fifty in the 2023 class are running backs, and they can light up their offenses because of their speed, explosiveness, and elusiveness in the openfield. The best running back in the state is <strong>Willtrell Harston</strong> from Massillon Washington. Harston can accelerate through the line of scrimmage and displays excellent vision making defenders miss in space. The running back class is solid at all divisions with players from even smaller schools, like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92614" first="CJ" last="Hester"]</strong> from Cincinnati Wyoming, breaking into the top fifty rankings. <strong>Offensive Line</strong> The offensive line position also has seven players represented in the top fifty. The offensive line group is led by, newcomer, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141061" first="Joshua" last="Padilla"]</strong> of Dayton Wayne who comes in sixth overall in the rankings. Most of the offensive linemen are tall, powerful, and are extremely mobile for being so big. The most massive offensive lineman in the top fifty is 6’5” 310 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141070" first="Ryan" last="Caretta"]</strong> from Columbus St. Charles. Like the other top offensive linemen in the state, <strong>Caretta</strong> gets impressive movement at the point of attack, shows ability to pick up linebackers or defensive backs in space as well being a great finisher. <strong>Defensive Line</strong> The strongest position group at this point in the rankings for 2023 is the defensive line with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34500" first="Brenan" last="Vernon"]</strong>, 6’5” 240 from Mentor, leading the way. Three more defensive linemen, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34499" first="Luke" last="Montgomery"]</strong> from Findlay, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34494" first="Kobie" last="Gorman"]</strong> from Pickerington Central, and <strong>Kyler Rosa</strong> of Dublin Jerome, are in the top ten of the 2023 class. Two more defensive ends are in the top fifty of the rankings making a total of six overall for the position group.  All are athletic big defensive ends or tackles who dominate the opposition and are stout along the line of scrimmage and can make plays on the perimeter due to their quickness and agility. <strong>Running Backs</strong> Seven of the top fifty in the 2023 class are running backs, and they can light up their offenses because of their speed, explosiveness, and elusiveness in the openfield. The best running back in the state is <strong>Willtrell Harston</strong> from Massillon Washington. Harston can accelerate through the line of scrimmage and displays excellent vision making defenders miss in space. The running back class is solid at all divisions with players from even smaller schools, like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92614" first="CJ" last="Hester"]</strong> from Cincinnati Wyoming, breaking into the top fifty rankings. <strong>Offensive Line</strong> The offensive line position also has seven players represented in the top fifty. The offensive line group is led by, newcomer, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141061" first="Joshua" last="Padilla"]</strong> of Dayton Wayne who comes in sixth overall in the rankings. Most of the offensive linemen are tall, powerful, and are extremely mobile for being so big. The most massive offensive lineman in the top fifty is 6’5” 310 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141070" first="Ryan" last="Caretta"]</strong> from Columbus St. Charles. Like the other top offensive linemen in the state, <strong>Caretta</strong> gets impressive movement at the point of attack, shows ability to pick up linebackers or defensive backs in space as well being a great finisher. <strong>Athletes</strong> The exact position of these players is yet to be determined for their collegiate level of competition, but one thing is for certain, they have the athletic talent to play early due to their skill level and versatility. Most of the players that fall into this category are some combination of wide receiver, running back, defensive back, or even linebacker and all are superb special teams’ players on coverage units or excel as return specialists. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34492" first="Trevor" last="Carter"]</strong> of Ironton is currently the top layer in the athlete category and ranks number six overall for the 2023 class. <strong>Carter </strong>is especially impressive on the defensive side of the football at defensive back or linebacker. Even though <strong>Carter</strong> is an excellent running back, he is a physical player with closing speed and open field tackling prowess. Six more players in the athlete category fall in the top fifty.