Massillon Washington High School junior Jayden Ballard's HighlightsWatch the Ohio State-commit in last year's Division II state final. Who are Ohio's top returning high school football players entering the 2019 season? The Buckeye State has a deep talent pool. These are some of the sharks. Kickoff is coming.
Pickerington North senior Chris Scott holds 11 offers including Michigan, Kentucky and Pitt.
Photo by Scott Reed
Key names to know Fridays this fall.
Player, School, Ht, Wt, Graduating Class
* Jake Ryan, Jackson (Massillon), 6-3, 170 (2020)Colgate commit set school single-season records for recpetions (58) and receiving yards (1,090) en route to earning first team
OPSWA Division I All-Ohio honors. Had nine touchdowns. Defensively had 68 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
* Chris Scott, Pickerington North, 6-1, 175 (2020)First team
OPSWA Division I All-Ohio. Holds 11 offers including Michigan, Kentucky and Pitt.
* Tyshawn Lighty, Lorain, 5-10, 180 (2020)Second team
OPSWA Division I All-Ohio.
* Dimitri Mitsopoulos, St. John's Jesuit (Toledo), 5-10, 170 (2020)First team
OPSWA Division I All-Ohio.
* Joe Royer, Elder (Cincinnati), 6-5, 225 (2020)Ohio State commit is considered No. 9 overall prospect in Ohio and 13th best TE prospect nationally by
247sports.com. Caught 31 passes for 612 yards and five touchdowns.
2018 Ohio HS Football Statewide Postseason Brackets* Kalil Branham, Northland (Columbus), 6-1, 205 (2020)Kentucky recruit is considered No. 8 overall prospect in Ohio according to the
247sports.com Composite Rankings.
* Caden Clark, Archbishop Hoban (Akron), 6-3, 257 (2020)Alabama commit is considered No. 12 overall prospect in Ohio and 15th best TE prospect nationally according to the
247sports.com Composite Rankings.
* Lorenzo Styles Jr., Pickerington Central, 6-1, 170 (2021)Considered No. 3 overall junior prospect in Ohio and No. 8 WR prospect nationally according to the
247sports.com Composite Rankings.
* Jayden Ballard, Washington (Massillon), 6-2, 175 (2021)Ohio State commit considered No. 5 overall junior prospect in Ohio and No. 20 WR prospect nationally according to the
247sports.com Composite Rankings.
* DeMeer Blankunsee, Winton Woods (Cincinnati), 6-0, 170 (2020)Toledo commit. Scored 11 touchdowns.
2018 Ohio HS Football Statewide Statistics* Sam Daugstrup, St. Ignatius (Cleveland), 6-5, 245 (2020)Tight end is considered No. 39 overall prospect in Ohio according to the
247sports.com Composite Rankings. Holds 12 offers including Vanderbilt, Pitt, Louisville, Iowa State and East Carolina.
* Luke Floriea, Mentor, 5-10, 170 (2020)Boston College commit. Had 1,100 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns.
* Marshall Lang, St. Xavier (Cincinnati), 6-4, 225 (2020)Northwestern tight end commit. Caught 22 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns.
* Liam Clifford, St. Xavier (Cincinnati), 6-2, 195 (2021)Considered No. 15 overall junior prospect in Ohio according to the
247sports.com Composite Rankings. Caught 17 passes for 268 yards and five touchdowns.
* Andrew Wilson-Lamp, Washington (Massillon), 6-2, 165 (2021)Considered No. 27 overall junior prospect in Ohio according to the
247sports.com Composite Rankings.
2018 Ohio HS Football Pictures
* Brayden Fox, Archbishop Hoban (Akron), 6-3, 200 (2021)Considered No. 29 overall junior prospect in Ohio according to the
247sports.com Composite Rankings.
* Casey Finck, Lancaster, 6-2, 180 (2020)First team All-Central District. Caught 28 passes for 643 yards and six touchdowns.
* Jalen Ross, McKinley (Canton), 6-2, 191 (2020)First team All-Northeast Inland District.
* Bryce Profitt, Highland (Medina), 6-2, 160 (2020)First team All-Northeast Inland District.
* Devin Johnson, Springfield (Holland), 5-11, 170 (2020)First team All-Northwest District.
* Levi Tidwell, Harrison, 6-0, 185 (2020)First team All-Southwest District. Caught 43 passes for 523 yards and three touchdowns.
