Top defensive end prospect making unofficial visit
Gameday+ | Recruiting watch: Defensive end Bryan Bresee making unofficial visit to Ohio State
Bryan Bresee is riding the recruiting wave at the moment.
And as part of that, the defensive end — the No. 1 prospect nationally for the 2020 cycle, according to 247Sports — will be at Ohio Stadium on Saturday on an unofficial visit to watch No. 4 Ohio State play the Green Wave of Tulane.
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As for being considered the nation’s top prospect, “It’s exciting that people feel that way about me,” said Bresee, from Damascus, Maryland. “But I try not to let it get to my head and just play football.”
He’s earned the ranking by being, at 6 feet 5 and 295 pounds, an imposing presence on the field.
“People are comparing him to (former Ohio State star) Joey Bosa, and though I hate to compare anybody to Joey, who has proven he can play great at every level, I can see why Bryan is getting that kind of talk,” Bucknuts analyst Bill Kurelic said. “This kid has similar attributes.”
It’s why Ohio State has been high on Bresee’s list for a while — along with other major schools, including Penn State, Michigan, Georgia, Alabama and Clemson. He said he has got about 15 schools he’s considering, hoping to get it down to 5-7 by season’s end.
He said he’s not close to making a choice, but his interest in several top schools, including Ohio State, is obvious. The attraction is mutual for several reasons, Kurelic said.
“They are his size, of course, combined with his agility, quickness and speed, plus he already uses his hands very well, which more and more the defensive line coaches are looking for in the elite prospects,” Kurelic said.
Bresee agreed that those are his strengths.
“I’m heavier than a lot of defensive ends, but I can move like most of them,” Bresee said. “I think that’s what kind of sets me apart.”
He has already visited several schools on his list, including Ohio State, where he has been three times, including a camp last year in which he worked with the Buckeyes defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
“The main attraction about Ohio State, honestly, is probably coach Johnson,” Bresee said. “He’s the real deal. He knows so much about the game.”
Such interaction with coaches, staff, players and others will make the difference for him, he said.
“My main thing is relationships with the coaching staffs because, let’s face it, these days (in terms of facilities) every school has nice everything,” Bresee said. “It’s the people in the school that make it special.”
That’s why he will have his eyes and ears open Saturday on yet another visit to Columbus. Along with watching the game and mingling, he will be curious to speak with coach Urban Meyer about the suspension he just finished.
“Right now, I still don’t know enough about it to have a comment on it,” Bresee said. “I’m sure when I get down there this weekend, I’ll learn more about it.”
He is not shy about asking, just like he’s not bashful about being considered the No. 1 prospect for 2020.
“I’d just like to do whatever I can to keep that spot,” Bresee said. “That’s why I’m always working hard. It’s great that the No. 1 is there, but I’ve got to keep working so it stays there.”
tmay@dispatch.com
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