Ohio State’s search for a big-bodied interior defensive lineman may have found its next target in Karlos May.
With four-star Sierra Canyon defensive lineman Kasi Currie already committed to Texas, the Buckeyes have been working to line up another option in the middle of the defensive front. Brandon Little of A to Z Sports thinks the answer could be the four-star Ramsay (AL) standout, and the timing lines up perfectly for Ohio State after May’s June 19 official visit to Columbus.
May has set his commitment announcement for July 18, and he’s weighing Ohio State alongside Georgia and Auburn. At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, he fits the exact profile the Buckeyes have been chasing: a true interior presence who can anchor against the run.
“May confirmed to A to Z Sports that he will be announcing his commitment on July 18. The Alabama defensive lineman is also considering Georgia and Auburn, but the Buckeyes stand in a great spot following his June 19 official visit to Columbus. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive lineman would be a true interior addition for the Buckeyes, and one they need after missing out on Kasi Currie to Texas.”
Little also pointed to the work Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson has done in this recruitment.
“Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson has built a strong relationship here, and the Buckeyes look to be the team to beat,” Little added.
Auburn remains very much in the picture, too. Alex Golesh has been on a strong recruiting run through June, and Vontrell King-Williams is also working May hard.
Still, Ohio State has a path here, and Little’s read suggests the Buckeyes are in a strong position. May’s home-state pull in Alabama could matter as well, especially with Auburn in the race.
Right now, the crystal ball points to Ohio State.
Georgia, though, can’t be brushed aside. The Bulldogs have made a habit of winning these battles under Kirby Smart, and May’s own words from earlier in June show just how seriously he took that visit.
“After that meeting, I just kind of sat down for a minute and said‚ ‘I knew Georgia was the place.’ It was the place.
You can see why they win games. Just because coach Scott has developed a lot of people," May said in early June.
He added:
“I almost wanted to commit on the spot, actually. But I changed my mind.
I said I was going to do what I said I would. Go through all my visits.
Things like that. But I definitely felt that way. ...
Then the next morning, when I woke up, I said, 'This is the place to be'. Honestly, I almost did it, but I had to think about it.
I had to take all the rest of my visits. It might- you don’t know; it might have been just an emotional thing.
Being off emotions or the way I felt about a school, but nah, I still think about Georgia like that. Even a day after I left my visit.”
For now, the race looks like Ohio State, Georgia and Auburn all pushing for the finish line. Rivals has May leaning to Ohio State, while 247Sports has not logged a prediction yet.
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