Ohio State football: Buckeyes pick up in-state receiver, California cornerback verbals

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He is a four-star receiver in the class of 2021 from Massillon Washington, the No. 5 junior-to-be in Ohio according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

Ballard is the third player to commit to Ohio State for 2021.

He joins Ohio’s No. 1 player, five-star Pickerington North defensive end Jack Sawyer, and Kyle McCord, a four-star quarterback from Philadelphia.

The 2020 recruiting class also grew by one Friday afternoon with the verbal commitment of Clark Phillips III, a four-star defensive back from La Habra, Calif.

Phillips, who made his decision official during a livestream on via CBS Sports HQ, is among more than a dozen high school seniors-to-be scheduled to make official visits to Ohio State this weekend.

He is rated the No. 9 player in California and 46th nationally in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

According to 247Sports, his offer list includes California, Notre Dame, Oregon, UCLA, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Florida and LSU.

Prior to Phillips' commitment, Ohio State's class ranked seventh nationally and No. 1 in the Big Ten.

He is the seventh top 100 prospect to commit to the Buckeyes for 2020 and the second defensive back, joining Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy safety Lejond Cavazos.