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The Rush: Ohio State Offers Offensive Offensive Transfer Ajani Cornelius, Social Media Reactions of Lincoln Kienholz Commitment, Arion Carter Commits to Tennessee

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Ohio State made an offer on an offensive lineman on the transfer portal.

Rhode Island offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius, who has been one of the most coveted players on the gate since joining two weeks ago, announced he was offered a deal by the Buckeyes on Wednesday.

With Ohio State likely missing the starting two tackles in Dawand Jones and Paris Johnson Jr., the Buckeyes have reason to look for someone who can step in and play immediately at offensive tackle next season. Although, as Dan Hope wrote Wednesday morning, the Buckeyes plan to be selective when it comes to adding portal players.

Since joining the portal in early December, Cornelius has received more than 20 offers from FBS. After redshirting his freshman year at Rhode Island, Cornelius has made 22 appearances for the Rams over the past two seasons and was a first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association pick this year.

There is a reason why Cornelius is attracting interest from many Power Five schools. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound offensive tackle scored an 89.5 for the 2022 Pro Football Focus season, third-highest in the entire FCS for offensive linemen, behind Cody Mauch of North Dakota State (91.9) and Mary’s William and Colby Sorsdal (89.6). He also had the second-highest run blocking score in the FCS at 91.0, just behind Mauch’s 91.5.

Also factoring in FBS ratings, Cornelius earned the 13th highest PFF rating in the nation for all forwards (and ninth highest among offensive tackles) this season. As a run blocker, Cornelius ranked third among all FBS and FCS offensive tackles nationwide. If there’s a downside to his game, Cornelius has taken 10 penalties in 11 games this season.

As one of the most coveted prospects available this offseason, Ohio State will have plenty of competition for Cornelius. But he could step in and start in 2023 if the Buckeyes sign the New York native.

Social media reaction to Kienholz’s pledge

Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class increased to 20 on Wednesday as the Buckeyes successfully edged four-star quarterback Lincoln Kienholz of Washington. OSU had their eyes on Kienholz for a while, going back to mid-October, even when Brock Glenn was still committed to OSU. When Glenn left the Buckeyes in November, it opened the door for Kienholz to join the class.

Kienholz, who had been committed to the Huskies since June, told 247Sports that the opportunity to play for Ryan Day and Corey Dennis was too good to pass up, given his developmental history.

RELATED 2023 four-star quarterback Lincoln Kienholz commits to Ohio State, leaves Washington

“I think just the culture and tradition of the past with their quarterbacks is huge,” Kienholz told 247Sports in the past. “Also the success they had with their defenders and the success they had with their football team as well.”

Prior to Kienholz’s commitment, OSU was ranked #6 in the 247 national recruiting rankings, but has now passed Miami to move back to #5 after adding South Dakota’s double threat signal caller. Kienholz is a three-sport athlete who also plays and excels in basketball and baseball at Pierre High School (Pierre, South Dakota).

Following Kienholz’s commitment, many OSU members and staff took to social media to celebrate the new addition to the Buckeyes’ class. Their reactions are compiled below.

Carter commits to Tennessee

As expected, 2023 four-star linebacker Arion Carter will not be attending Ohio State. The Tennessee product announced it would stay home on Wednesday, committing to Tennessee.

Carter is ranked the 159th best player and 13th best prospect in the class of 2023 according to the 247Sports composite rankings. With the 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker out to play for the Volunteers, the Buckeyes will likely be content to roll with just one committed linebacker in the Class of 2023 in Arvell Reese. It certainly helps that they know at least one starter will return next season, as Steele Chambers announced on Wednesday that he would return to OSU for another year, though Tommy Eichenberg said he remains undecided on his future.

Okunlola eliminates Buckeyes from consideration

2023 five-star forward Samson Okunlola will not pick Ohio State when he announces his college decision on Thursday.

Okunlola officially eliminated the Buckeyes on Tuesday, taking out the top four of Florida, Miami, Michigan State and Miami ahead of their appointment.

While OSU would certainly love to add a player of Okunlola’s caliber, the Buckeyes will have to look for other avenues to meet their offensive tackle needs next season.

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