Signed: Joe Royer

For months it appeared as though Ohio State was set on taking two tight ends in the 2020 recruiting class. But after winning the camp derby in June, Joe Royer ended up being the lone prospect at that position for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State brought in several tight end prospects in June to work out for an offer, including the top guys in Ohio, and it was Royer who the Buckeyes settled on just a day or two after a tremendous camp performance.

Royer took a few weeks to really think long and hard about his recruitment, which saw him land offers from the likes of Penn State and LSU among many others, but he gave Ohio State his verbal pledge in July.

At that point, Ohio State opted to not take a second tight end and essentially shut down recruiting the position, making Royer the lone tight end in the class and the second Cincinnati Elder standout with teammate Jakob James previously joining the class as an offensive line prospect.

Royer is a gifted receiving threat, playing primarily on the outside and in the slot at the high school level as opposed to being a more traditional in-line tight end. At 6-foot-5, 220-pounds, he will have some physical growth to do to become a more complete player at the position but his athleticism and ball skills are outstanding.

With Ohio State utilizing a lot of 12 personnel this past season with a second tight end operating out of the slot, Royer would seem to fit that role perfectly. Adding size and strength to become a better blocker will be important and when that happens, he has a chance to become quite a weapon given his abilities as a receiver.