After losing Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa to Notre Dame, does Ohio State have a problem recruiting in California?
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa continued a recent trend for Ohio State.
After putting the Buckeyes in his final three, the 2024 four-star linebacker out Bellflower, California, committed to Notre Dame. Viliamu-Asa was one of two 2024 linebackers who had Ohio State as a finalist but committed to another college football program last week, joining four-star Edwin Spillman, who chose Tennessee.
For Ohio State, Viliamu-Asa is another example of a California target that has slipped away.
Between 2019 and 2023, Ohio State offered 49 California-based recruits, according to 247Sports, but has secured only three signees: quarterback C.J. Stroud, linebacker-turned-safety Kourt Williams II and defensive tackle Hero Kanu, who is originally from Germany.
In 2020, Ohio State had a third California commitment in cornerback Clark Phillips III before he flipped to Utah right before the beginning of the early signing period after the departure of defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Which programs are beating Ohio State for California recruits?
Southern California is back on top in terms of California recruiting.
Between 2019 and 2023, USC has secured commitments from 21 top-25 California recruits, including five in the 2023 class.
Oregon (16) and Washington (12) have also secured at least 10 top-25 California players in the past five classes.
Outside of the current Pac-12, Texas has landed the most top-25 California recruits in the past five classes with seven. Georgia and Notre Dame each have five, and Michigan has four.
Of the 49 California-based high school recruits Ohio State has offered, 10 have chosen USC, while five committed to Arizona State and five committed to Oregon. The Buckeyes have also lost multiple targets to Clemson, Notre Dame, Texas and Georgia.
What's next for Ohio State's California recruiting?
That same trend has continued in 2024.
Ohio State has extended offers to 11 players in the 2024 class. Nine of those players have already made commitments to programs including Alabama, which has three including cornerback Zabien Brown and safety Peyton Woodyard who each had Ohio State as a finalist, USC, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Oregon, whose commitment, safety Peyton Woodyard, took an official visit with the Buckeyes.
In the 2024 top-25 list of California recruits, four players remain undecided.
Ohio State remains in the running for two undecided California-based players.
Five-star offensive tackle Brandon Baker remains a top target for the Buckeyes to join the 2024 class that includes Ian Moore, Marc Nave, Devontae Armstrong and Deontae Armstrong. Baker is the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 21 player in the country. Baker took an official visit with the Buckeyes June 9-11.
Five-star defensive tackle Ayden Breland, who is teammates at Mater Dei with Baker, also holds an Ohio State offer but has not officially visited the Buckeyes.
Where does Ohio State dominate on the recruiting trail?
Like USC and California, Ohio State has a track record of retaining in-state talent.
In the past five recruiting classes, Ohio State has signed 34 of the 57 Ohio high school football players it has offered, including 13 of the last 17 in the 2022 and 2023 classes combined.
Between 2019 and 2023, Ohio State has offered double-digit prospects in each recruiting cycle to three states: Florida, Georgia and Texas. Of the 141 Florida players offered in the past five classes, only 10 have signed with Ohio State. The Buckeyes have also secured seven signees from 90 Georgia offers, and eight of 112 Texas offers.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Here's how Ohio State football has done recruiting in California
