Just saw ESPN drop their offseason rankings and I need to talk about what this OV weekend means for us because the noise coming out of Heritage Hall right now is LOUD. We have a massive OV weekend lined up and I am hearing from sources close to the program that at least three high-priority targets are plnaning to be on campus this weekend. This is the dead period so these visits are crucial for building momentum heading into summer. The staff has been working the phones nonstop and I know for a fact that we have at least one silent commit that could go public if this weekend goes right.
The 247 composite has us sitting in a decent spot but not where we need to be if we want to compete with Oregon and their five 5-stars. What I am hearing is that this weekend is about more than just the official visits themselves. It is about the bump. The energy. Getting these kids around each other and letting the recruiting do itself. Our facilities are elite and the campus speaks for itself but the real sell is the opportunity to play early in the Big Ten. That is the message the staff is hammering home.
I have a source telling me that one of the visitors this weekend is a guy who has been trending away from us on the crystal ball but the relationship with the position coach is still strong. These visits can flip things fast. Remember last year when we landed that surprise commit right after the dead period ended? Same energy here. The staff knows how to close when they get kids on campus.
What I love about this particular weekend is the mix of positions we are hosting. We need help along both lines and I am hearing we have multiple OL and DL targets scheduled. That is where the game is won and lost in the Big Ten. You cannot survive that schedule without trench players and our staff has finally figured that out after years of chasing skill guys.
The bagman situation is always part of these conversations too. I am not going to pretend otherwise. NIL is the elephant in every room during these visits and our collective has been aggressive this year. Word is we have a competitive offer structure for the guys coming in this weekend. It is not just about the mon...