Ohio State football recruiting can be a wild ride full of twists and turns as recruits from all over the country maneuver their way to signing day. Lettermen Row is here to help navigate the tumultuous roads by getting to the heart of the matter with the young football players and Ohio State coaches and staff members themselves. Today we’re talking to Kye Stokes, a fast-rising 2022 athlete who has decided to end his recruitment and make a college choice.
It didn’t take long for Kye Stokes to know things felt different with the Ohio State coaching staff.
That’s why, just five days after landing an offer from the Buckeyes, he’s making a college decision.
“The thing that was really a big deal,” Stokes told Lettermen Row. “Was that before they even started the process, Coach [Tony] Alford called my parents and asked if they were OK with him recruiting their son. That had never happened before.”
Alford, who, led the recruitment, introduced Stokes to the rest of the Oho State staff and after rewatching his junior film at Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) High School, an offer came. Even that helped Stokes and his family feel comfortable with the Buckeyes.
“When Coach Alford called me,” Stokes said. “He introduced himself and said ‘Listen, we’re gonna evaluate your film again. Based on your highlights we think your stellar athlete but we’re gonna go watch your film again and we should get back to you on Monday, alright?’
“That’s exactly what happened. My dad, he said Coach Alford was a man of his word. I think my parents saw that and really appreciate it.”
Kye Stokes plays offense and defense at Armwood High School, but will play defense at Ohio State. (Kye Stokes/Courtesy)
It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Stokes. He’s added scholarship offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Georgia, Florida, and LSU, among others, all since April 20. A 3-star prospect now, his offer list will force many to reassess their evaluations.
Kye Stokes sees no more reason to assess his own. The big-time athlete from Florida has become a major national recruit but he’s already found what he’s looking for and his college choice is made.
How did things happen so quickly for him and the Buckeyes? What does Stokes think of the other Ohio State coaches? What role does he see himself playing in the defense?
The Buckeyes newest commit joined Birminology to talk about his decision and his crazy couple of weeks.
