Ohio State makes trimmed list for fast-rising safety Edrees Farooq
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is all systems go on the 2024 cycle, and it’s getting a little more clarity at a position of need.
Three-star Baltimore (Md) St. Frances Academy safety Edrees Farooq released his top 10 Monday afternoon and Ohio State made the cut.
Cincinnati, Maryland, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, Pitt, Tennessee, USC and Virginia Tech round out the list for Farooq.
Edrees Farooq is a fast-rising prospect in the 2024 cycle which makes the early list interesting given the timing. But Lettermen Row breaks down the Buckeyes’ odds with a bit of intel regarding their pursuit of Farooq.
Let’s dive in.
Buckeyes have done homework
Ratings, rankings and stars matter — to some.
But for the staffs that recruit and seek out talent, if they find a player that can play, they will offer. That’s the case with Farooq and Ohio State.
- 1
Wyatt Smith is a Buckeye!
Wyatt Smith commitments gives Ohio State another major piece of defensive puzzle
- 2
Thoughts on Wyatt Smith
Three thoughts on Ohio State landing top EDGE target Wyatt Smith
- 3
Kickoff time intel
Potential kickoff times emerging for key Ohio State matchups
- 4
Birm's mock class
Birm's post-spring, too-early Ohio State 2027 recruiting clas
- 5
Josh Tyson observations
Additional observations of Ohio State target Josh Tyson from day two of the live period
Get the On3 Top 10 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound safety plays at the national power St. Frances Academy, which at one point last fall was the No. 1 high school team in the country.
Farooq was a big piece to the Panthers’ back end of the defense at strong safety. He continuously made plays against a national schedule and even had great moments in St. Frances’ only loss — a 27-16 final against IMG Academy.
Farooq the enforcer
Farooq is a strong safety for St. Frances and doesn’t have a problem rolling down from the top of the defense and into the box. He makes fast reads, and they are accurate too. There isn’t much hesitation to his game and confidence is important — especially at defensive back.
In the Buckeyes’ 4-2-5 system, he’d likely play the role of Josh Proctor or Lathan Ransom.
One thing is for certain, he’s a defensive back that doesn’t mind being physical.
Which programs to watch?
Ohio State isn’t just a name on that list for kicks and giggles.
The Buckeyes offered Farooq back in December and are tentatively visiting St. Frances during the January contact period. Ohio State likes what they’ve seen on the field, and it’s now going into the relationship-building process.
Besides the Buckeyes, however, schools to watch are certainly Penn State, Michigan and Maryland.