BENJI GOSNELL
On June 16, Wilson and the Buckeyes extended three different offers to tight end prospects in this cycle.
North Carolina’s Gosnell – a 6-foot-3, 225-pounder ranked as the fifth-best tight end in the class – was one of those players, and he has very quickly moved the Buckeyes up the ladder as one of his favorite schools. That view of Ohio State started building well before he was officially extended an offer, which was buoyed by constant communication with Wilson.
“My relationship with Coach Wilson is great,” Gosnell told Eleven Warriors. “We chat all the time. We probably talked more than 15 times, whether it was on Zoom or on the phone before the offer. That made the offer much more special.”
Though Green might be the top target and has perhaps the biggest ceiling athletically of any tight end in the country at this point in their careers, Gosnell has become one of Ohio State’s biggest priority targets at the position because of his all-around game.
“Coach Wilson likes that I can do it all as a tight end,” Gosnell said. “He says he sees people that can block but can’t really run or catch. And he sees people that can catch and run but can’t block. He likes that I can do both for him.”
Much of Ohio State’s future in the short term at the tight end spot depends upon whether or not junior Jeremy Ruckert chooses to enter the NFL after this upcoming season or if he decides to return for a final year.
Either way, the staff believes that Gosnell would be able to fill Ruckert’s shoes whenever Ruckert inevitably moves onto the pros.
“(Wilson) hasn’t told me how many (tight ends they’re trying to land), but he’s told me that he sees me as the guy to replace Jeremy Ruckert. Which to be compared to Ruck is an honor,” Gosnell said. “I haven’t got to talk to Jeremy. I did DM him a question a while back, and he did answer, which was dope.”
Gosnell has been following Ohio State football and how it uses its tight ends.
“I didn’t really have any questions because I’ve seen how they use them. Lots in the red zone to block and catch and during the middle of the field to spread teams out and have more weapons,” Gosnell said. “I’m not sure if Coach Wilson ever mentioned using them more, but I know he wants to.”
Tight end usage aside, one of the biggest draws for Gosnell to the Buckeyes is the storied tradition the program has.
“Their overall history as a program (stands out). They develop very well,” Gosnell said. “I’ve seen time and time again how much I could impact early. With the way it stacks up to other schools, it’s probably second to none about how good I feel about it as a place for me.”
Gosnell feels great about Ohio State and what it can offer for his future on the field and off the field, but a college decision – whether he picks Columbus or elsewhere – is not going to be made any time soon.
“I still want to take a few official visits and get to know other schools better that are just now beginning to recruit me,” Gosnell said. “I’m getting to know Coach (Mike) Reed from Clemson more, and they’ve begun recruiting me.
“I want to take official visits next summer and commit August or September of my senior year.”
Gosnell holds 16 offers, including from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Tennessee.
