A look at five key Michigan-Ohio State recruiting battles ahead of official visits

Official visit season is here, and the means recruiting battles are really starting to heat up. Michigan and Ohio State are involved with several mutual targets going into a pivotal point in the cycle.

Here is a look at five key recruiting battles between the two rivals.

WR Elijah Moore, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel

Moore recently released a Top 5 of Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Michigan and Ohio State and plans to make official visits to all of them before pulling the trigger. However, this one has the makings of a good, old-fashioned Michigan-Ohio State recruiting battle. The three-star prospect has been to Ohio State on multiple occasions and will be back this weekend for his OV. The Buckeyes currently hold the lead on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine with a 40.9 percent chance on landing him. However, his Michigan OV, which is tentatively scheduled for June 9, will mark his first time in Ann Arbor. Michigan wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy has done a fantastic job of building a relationship with Moore and has the Wolverines surging. A strong OV could see Michigan move past OSU.

EDGE Darien Mayo, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel

Mayo grew up with an affinity for Ohio State and even visited the campus as a youth. However, Michigan’s recent EDGE production and an impressive offseason visit really moved the needle for Mayo and his family. Michigan now has a 76.5 percent chance of landing the Top 100 prospect, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. However, this battle is much closer than that. Mayo still loves what OSU has to offer and has built a connection with lead OSU recruiter Larry Johnson. Official visits will determine how this recruitment ends up playing out. Ohio State will get him in on June 9, while Michigan will have the final say on June 23. Clemson, Maryland, South Carolina and USC are still involved as well.

EDGE Elias Rudolph, Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High

Rudolph transferred to Deerfield Beach this offseason, but the four-star prospect is originally from Cincinnati and would love to return to the Midwest for college. Right now, Michigan and Ohio State seem to be the two schools at the top. Michigan will have him in on June 9, while Ohio State is bringing him in on June 16. Rudolph has been to Ohio State a ton, and the Buckeyes would absolutely take him. However, Michigan has gained plenty of steam as of late and now has an 83.2 percent chance of landing him, per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Rudolph loves how Michigan has been able to develop its pass rushers over the last few years and has a special bond with co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale, who has strong ties in Ohio. My co-worker Zach Libby put in a prediction for U-M, but I’m still very wary of the Buckeyes. Miami, Penn State and Pitt are also set to receive OVs.

CB Bryce West, Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville

I recently logged a prediction in favor of Ohio State, and the Buckeyes now have a 96.6 percent chance of keeping West home. Glenville is a very Ohio State friendly program, and West has seemed like an Ohio State lean for years. Michigan did make things interesting this offseason by hosting the Top 100 prospect for multiple visits. Clinkscale deserves a ton of credit for giving West a lot to think about during the process. With that said, it’s going to be a true uphill battle to win West over. Michigan will get its final shot to do than on his OV on June 9. Ohio State is getting his last visit on June 23.

CB Aaron Scott, Springfield (Ohio) High

I’ve always said that Michigan has a much better chance of landing Scott than West…. and here we are. Michigan does in fact have a true chance of landing the Top 100 recruit, and it wouldn’t shock me if Clinkscale and company pull it off. Scott sees a pathway for early playing time, has bonded well with the staff an has also became friends with multiple members of U-M’s 2024 class. With that said, Ohio State still has plenty of momentum here and leads on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine with a 96.4 percent chance of landing him. Michigan will get him in for his OV on June 16. That’s massive considering it’s Victors Weekend. On the flip side of the coin, Ohio State will have the final say as he’s set to make his way to Columbus on June 23.

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