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Hey guys, I talked with one of UC's biggest targets for the 2023 class, three-star athlete Malik Hartford. He's up to 23 offers now, which is a sign of how much his recruitment has blown up over the past few months.
UC was first to offer Hartford, back in early September. And he was back in Clifton two weeks ago for the Hometown Heroes day the Bearcats put on for local recruits. I honestly think they lead here, though there's a lot of contenders. But this recent visit, Hartford said he loved seeing so many faces he knew, other guys he's grown up playing with. He'd told me last fall how important it was that his family watch him and that he has a family feel. So in this instance, UC has worked him well.
Assistant coach Colin Hitschler has been the main point of contact and it seems like they have a really good bond. Hartford said they talked more concepts and schemes on this visit, but overall, "That's my guy."
Last weekend, Hartford visited Ohio State for the first time. And he now has a Buckeyes offer. He told me he liked reconnecting with assistant coach Perry Eliano, whom he'd really gotten to know when Eliano was at UC. That could bode well for the Buckeyes. But I still don't think that relationship is as strong as the one Hartford has with Hitschler. Seems like Ohio State has him on defense, too, as he said he talked a lot of scheme and concepts with new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. And Coach Ryan Day is the one who offered, which seems to have meant a lot, too.
Tomorrow, Hartford is visiting Michigan State, Sunday he'll be at Michigan. He didn't say a ton on either, since he hasn't visited them yet. So interesting to see how those visits go. Sounds like he'll have a top five soon and again, I expect UC to be in it. We'll see how much Ohio State especially moves on him, but I think the Bearcats are in a great spot due to a lot of factors.
Full story coming.
Hey guys, I talked with one of UC's biggest targets for the 2023 class, three-star athlete Malik Hartford. He's up to 23 offers now, which is a sign of how much his recruitment has blown up over the past few months.
UC was first to offer Hartford, back in early September. And he was back in Clifton two weeks ago for the Hometown Heroes day the Bearcats put on for local recruits. I honestly think they lead here, though there's a lot of contenders. But this recent visit, Hartford said he loved seeing so many faces he knew, other guys he's grown up playing with. He'd told me last fall how important it was that his family watch him and that he has a family feel. So in this instance, UC has worked him well.
Assistant coach Colin Hitschler has been the main point of contact and it seems like they have a really good bond. Hartford said they talked more concepts and schemes on this visit, but overall, "That's my guy."
Last weekend, Hartford visited Ohio State for the first time. And he now has a Buckeyes offer. He told me he liked reconnecting with assistant coach Perry Eliano, whom he'd really gotten to know when Eliano was at UC. That could bode well for the Buckeyes. But I still don't think that relationship is as strong as the one Hartford has with Hitschler. Seems like Ohio State has him on defense, too, as he said he talked a lot of scheme and concepts with new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. And Coach Ryan Day is the one who offered, which seems to have meant a lot, too.
Tomorrow, Hartford is visiting Michigan State, Sunday he'll be at Michigan. He didn't say a ton on either, since he hasn't visited them yet. So interesting to see how those visits go. Sounds like he'll have a top five soon and again, I expect UC to be in it. We'll see how much Ohio State especially moves on him, but I think the Bearcats are in a great spot due to a lot of factors.
Full story coming.
