The Cleveland Glenville to Ohio State pipeline proved to be as strong as ever this weekend.
Not only did elite corner Bryce West commit to the Buckeyes, his teammate tight end, Damarion Witten, did so just a day later. Both Tarblooders were on their official visits, so it was icing on the cake for the coaching staff.
Witten is a great prospect, ranking as the No. 19 tight end and 346th overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Watching the 6-foot, 4-inch, 210 pounder’s junior highlight film showed exactly why the Buckeyes wanted him so badly. Find out below what qualities you will see when Witten arrives in Columbus to don the Scarlet and Gray.
Receiver skills
No idea how Damarion Witten caught this, but he did. pic.twitter.com/s9VS3x7iLF
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) June 14, 2023
Scout’s view
Witten might be one of the best receiving tight end prospects the Buckeyes have had in a long time. This isn’t a knock on any other Ohio State current or former players, it’s just that the Cleveland native is just so explosive for the position. He has the speed to break huge plays, a knack for gaining yards after the catch, and even takes an occasional jet sweep for big yardage.
Match up nightmare
98 yards to te crib 😁🔥 pic.twitter.com/K9B0qlJYuy
— Damarion Witten (@DamarionW1_) November 28, 2022
Scout’s view
The receiver skills bring a different element to Witten’s game than most tight ends. Witten could be a match-up nightmare. He’s too fast for a safety or linebacker to run with him and too big for a corner to body him up. The Buckeyes don’t use the tight end in the passing game quite like they should but that most likely is going to change when Witten hits the field.
Raw
Great work today with my guy @DaleRodick 🧪 Getting me right this offseason 💯🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/FXFhBpdrZh
— Damarion Witten (@DamarionW1_) April 16, 2023
Scout’s view
For as good as Witten is as a receiving threat, he’s much more raw as a blocker. He has the frame to add on plenty of weight, but at the current moment isn’t quite big enough to battle college-level defensive ends or even blitzing linebackers. Witten hasn’t had his hand in the dirt much either, so there is going to be an adjustment there as well. Most Ohio State tight ends that play need to show they can be blocking threats before receiving, so Witten has some work to do in that department.
Overview
feels great waking up a buckeye 😁🌰 #GoBucks🌰🅾️ pic.twitter.com/A8BOtqYPzp
— Damarion Witten (@DamarionW1_) June 25, 2023
What to expect
Witten is going to come into a nice situation with early playing time being available. True freshman Jelani Thurman made waves during the spring and he seems to be next in line. By the time Witten arrives on campus, Cade Stover and Mitch Rossi will have exhausted their eligibility. Expect Thurman to play a good amount of spans with Joe Royer and possibly Bennett Christian getting some run.
That means that second and third-team reps will be there. If Witten can add some good weight and show that he can block at a high level, there is a good shot we see him on the field early in his Buckeye career.
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