Ohio State added the program’s second commitment of the day on Saturday evening, earning a verbal pledge from Cleveland Glenville four-star tight end Damarion Witten (6-4, 215).
Witten committed to the Buckeyes during his official visit to Columbus, and is the second commitment of the day along with Cleveland Glenville four-star cornerback Bryce West (5-11, 177). Along with incoming freshman linebacker Arvell Reese, this makes three commitments across the last two classes from Glenville, which has traditionally sent plenty of talent to the Buckeyes.
Witten is the No. 347 overall prospect and No. 19 tight end in 2024, and he held additional offers from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Michigan State, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas, among others. His official visit came just a couple of weeks after participating in an Ohio State recruiting camp, where Witten got the chance to deepen his relationship with the coaching staff – specifically tight ends coach Keenan Bailey.
“My biggest takeaway from camp was how Coach Key really singled me out, because I told him I wanted to improve on my speed cuts and my blocking,” Witten said. “He pulled me to the side, one-on-one, showed me some things. It was just by myself improving my blocking and my route running.”
The ability of Ohio State to forge a relationship with Witten was especially important considering the departure of tight ends coach Kevin Wilson following last season, and Wilson would have been involved in offering back in September.
“The day (Bailey) got the job, he hit me up and told me, ‘I want you. You’re No. 1 on my (recruiting) board and I’m not going to stop recruiting you until you’re a Buckeye,’” Witten said. “For me, that was a big deal because I’ve never had anyone tell me that I was No. 1 and that I’m needed.”
Witten helped lead Glenville to a 15-0 record and a state title last season, the first in program history, and offers impressive pass-catching ability for Ohio State’s offense. While he needs to improve as a blocker and is undersized for the position – most tight ends on Ohio State’s roster are at least 240 pounds, with Witten currently checking in at just 215 – Witten’s athleticism should excite Bailey and the rest of Ohio State’s coaching staff.
He is the second tight end commitment in Ohio State’s class, joining Chattanooga (Tenn.) Baylor School four-star Max LeBlanc (6-4, 222), who joined the class in April.
