Kentucky '18 OH LB - Chris Oats (Kentucky Verbal)

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Outside linebacker
STARS
Winton Woods
Cincinnati, OH
RR:
Ht: 6'4"
Wt: 205 lbs
Class: 2018

Ohio State has offered.

 

Ohio State the ‘Dream School’ for recent 2018 linebacker offer

Yesterday we talked about Dallas Gant, a 2018 linebacker from Toledo who picked up an Ohio State offer last Friday, and today we’ll discuss another that has, Winton Woods star Christopher Oats. Oats visited the Buckeyes last Friday but did not camp, opting instead for a guided tour around campus from his teammate, Ohio State 2017 defensive tackle pledge Jerron Cage. The offer from the Buckeyes – Oats’ sixth – was a dream come true for the 6-foot-4, 215-pound athlete from Cincinnati.

“It’s great,” Oats said of getting the Ohio State offer. “I grew up in Cincinnati, but Ohio State is my dream school. I always just really liked watching them on TV. My mom is an Alabama fan, but I chose Ohio State.”

Despite being the dream school, Oats said there was no thought of committing to the Buckeyes on the spot.

“No, no thoughts of committing,” he said. “I’m going to see what’s out there a bit in recruiting.”

Right now Oats has offers from Michigan State, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Cincinnati, and Kentucky to go along with the Buckeyes, showcasing him as a player that’s worth paying close attention to in 2018. The country’s 159th-ranked prospect has been taking his time getting to know the Ohio State staff and he’s enjoying the process. It’s those relationships that had him kind of “expecting” the offer from the state’s flagship program.

“I was expecting it, to be honest,” Oats said. “I talk to (Kerry) Coombs at least two times a week, and during the school year he would come down and see me at least once a week. I have really been able to build a strong relationship with (him) and (linebackers coach Luke) Fickell.”

Though he plays outside linebacker now, Oats’ frame may eventually turn him into a defensive end. Right now, though, he’s just worried about visits, not positions. He’s been to Michigan State and Ohio State and will make key visits across the country this summer.

“I’m visiting Oklahoma and Nebraska this summer,” he said. “I’ve never been to those places, so it should be interesting.”

 

Buckeyes Offer 2018 In-State LB Chris Oats https://t.co/oT0XkKsfPs @Scarlet_Buckeye

— OSUBasketballJunkie (@ScarletBuckeye2) June 23, 2016

 

CHRISTOPHER OATS • LB • CINCINNATI, OH (WINTON WOODS) • COMPOSITE RANKING: NO. 127

Barring something crazy, Christopher Oats is going to be spending his college days in Columbus. Ohio State offered after a camp performance in mid-June and the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder has been to Columbus three times since April. The Buckeyes are typically a bit cautious when it comes to these in-state offers, so extending one so quickly probably says a lot about how they view the Colerain standout. The Huskers and Spartans have both also offered.

When it comes to "something crazy" that could throw a wrench into things, it will be interesting to see how 2017 linebacker recruiting may impact 2018. For a while it was thought that Antjuan Simmons would be the only 2017 linebacker, but now two Texas stars – Anthony Hines and Baron Browning – are also very much in the picture and it's unlikely that either would be turned down if they wanted to hop on board. Couple that with Brendon White possibly growing into more of a linebacker and things could get interesting at the position.

 

Oats recovering from injury, will attend FNL

Winton Woods (Cincinnati) 2018 linebacker Christopher Oats will be back on campus with Ohio State on July 22, his first visit to the school since Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes offered him a scholarship last month. Since the offer came his way, Oats says he’s been getting to know Luke Fickell, who would be his position coach if he chooses the Buckeyes, a bit better.

“I’ve been talking to Luke (Fickell) more regularly,” Oats told Landof10. “Just talking about life and football.”

If you’re a Buckeyes fan coming to Friday Night Lights and were looking forward to seeing the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Oats show why he’s the fifth-ranked player in Ohio for 2018, you’re out of luck. He’s actually recovering from a broken wrist, which is why he didn’t work out for Ohio State at their June camp.

“I’m just visiting because I have a cast on, I broke my wrist,” Oats said. “I broke it at the Midwest Gridiron Camp. I had to get the cast put on the day Ohio State offered, right when I got home. The cast comes off on July 28.”

While it’s safe to assume that right now the Buckeyes are certainly high in Oats’ mind, the country’s eighth-ranked outside linebacker says he will not be making a college decision this summer. He wants to visit a few other places.

“No, I’m not going to commit this summer,” he added. “I’ve got visits coming to Michigan State, Louisville and Florida State.”

 

#OhioState-Oklahoma battle extends to top Ohio linebacker who will attend the big game https://t.co/WPAPUx3IlG

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) July 17, 2016

 

Meyer, Fickell make big impression on LB target and his mother https://t.co/X4AuH3LbON via @247Sports

— OSUBasketballJunkie (@ScarletBuckeye2) July 26, 2016

 

#Buckeyes the clear early team to beat for 2018 Cincinnati LB: https://t.co/aHCQhkw2lS pic.twitter.com/0vGlhTu1vc

— Josh Helmholdt (@JoshHelmholdt) August 12, 2016

 

Buckeye LB target Christopher Oats makes a change at the top https://t.co/8dWeXZrsRa via @247Sports

— OSUBasketballJunkie (@ScarletBuckeye2) September 26, 2016

 

One of Ohio's top juniors, Winton Woods LB Chris Oats, tells me he will visit #OhioState this weekend https://t.co/eGXVi5OLoO #Buckeyes

— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) October 6, 2016

 

#Pitt #Panthers have become the 10th school to offer 2018 LB Chris Oats #HailtoPitthttps://t.co/sLLErA1A20 pic.twitter.com/aG2lIDmRe0

— Rivals (@Rivals) October 19, 2016

 

Cincinnati Winton Woods LB Chris Oats is one of the nation's best. Several schools sticking out. https://t.co/P273rsFoCZ @ChristopherOats

— Bill Greene (@BillBankGreene) March 20, 2017

 

COMMITMENT SEASON

With Spring Break over and practices ramping up once again, several of Ohio State's top targets will funnel into the Woody Hayes Athletic Center for unofficial visits over the next few weeks. Cincinnati Winton Woods four-star linebacker Christopher Oats is among those who will make an appearance.

“[I'll be there] on the 25th,” Oats told Eleven Warriors.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Oats is considered the 11th-best outside linebacker and No. 215 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He holds 12 offers from programs such as Cincinnati, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska and Oklahoma, but told me the Buckeyes are still at the top of his list.

Oats has been to campus numerous times, but not since former Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell left for Cincinnati. The two had forged a great relationship, which is why the Bearcats will likely be the Buckeyes' greatest competition.

“[I'm looking forward to] building a relationship with coach [Bill] Davis,” Oats said.

 

Check out Chris Oats' Junior Year on @Hudl https://t.co/MMXF5l5iC4 #hudl

— OSUBasketballJunkie (@ScarletBuckeye2) March 21, 2017

 

4-star LB @ChristopherOats talks about #OhioState visit, his commitment status, family connecting with Urban VIP https://t.co/yLC0x7f0BD

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) March 25, 2017

 

Christopher Oats still waiting for his moment

Ohio State offered Cincinnati Winton Woods linebacker Christoper Oats almost a year ago, but the Buckeyes had their first chance this weekend to make a good impression on the rest of the linebacker’s family during a Saturday trip to Columbus.

“It was a great trip,” Oats told Land of 10. “I really liked the great connection the coaches had with my mom.”

The visit to campus was the first for the mother of the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Oats. His sister also made the trek as the family starts to break down all the potential options for Ohio’s eighth-ranked prospect. Though he was close to pulling the trigger on a commitment to Ohio State at the end of November, Oats says he’s waiting now in order to make a few more visits. His family will be supportive no matter what.

“My family is happy no matter where I go,” he said. “I’m just wanting to see a few other places.”

The nation’s 11th-ranked outside linebacker saw West Virginia on Sunday. Oklahoma, Michigan State, Cincinnati and Miami are also schools to watch for in his recruitment.

 

#OhioState LB coach Bill Davis has made a very favorable impression on LB @ChristopherOats. Oats talks #Buckeyes VIP https://t.co/dpXPWGDNak

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) May 8, 2017

 

National 300 LB Chris Oats out of Ohio is at the #OleMiss camp today. https://t.co/u10Ekvs9o8

— Yancy Porter (@YancyPorter) June 8, 2017

 

Ohio 4* LB Chris Oats has kept out of the spotlight recently, but he has a Top 6 and summer decision planned: https://t.co/cVa0wckoyC pic.twitter.com/hgSXF0RBb9

— Josh Helmholdt (@JoshHelmholdt) July 3, 2017

 

I will be at Ohio State Friday Night Lights🏈💪💪

— DueceDuece (@ChristopherOats) July 8, 2017