Colorado '23 FL OL - Payton Kirkland (Transfer to Colorado)

Ever since he had to cancel his visit to Ohio State in early September because a noon kickoff wouldn't work with his schedule, Payton Kirkland has been trying to reschedule another visit to Columbus.

Unfortunately for the four-star 2023 offensive tackle, that visit doesn’t appear likely to happen in the fall.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to make it,” Kirkland told Eleven Warriors earlier this week.

Instead, the 6-foot-5, 330-pound tackle from Florida will try to visit OSU in 2022.

“I’m probably going to get back in the spring,” Kirkland said.

Kirkland is rated as the No. 123 prospect nationally and the ninth-best tackle according to 247Sports’ composite rankings for the recruiting class of 2023. The Dr. Phillips High School (Orlando, Florida) standout has around 45 Division I offers to this point, a sheet that includes Ohio State, Florida, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.

 

Kirkland plans OSU trip
According to Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors, 2023 four-star offensive tackle Payton Kirkland of Dr. Phillips (FL) is planning on making a visit to Columbus to check out the Buckeyes in action against Michigan State on November 20th.

Hodge noted that Kirkland, the No. 9 offensive tackle prospect in the class, was originally slated to visit Ohio State back in early September but the visit would never come to fruition. Now, about two months later, Kirkland intends on making that trip and if it does happen, it would give the Buckeyes and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa a massive opportunity to make a jump as real players in this recruitment.

The 6-foot-5, 330-pounder is currently slotted as the No. 122 overall prospect in his class and the 26th highest graded prospect from the state of Florida. Kirkland, an Orlando native, has been a target of Ohio State dating back to July of last year when he picked up an offer from the program.

 

Country's No. 9 offensive tackle set to return to #OhioState the weekend the #Buckeyes host Michigan State. VIP https://t.co/4MH3ffPdmB

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) November 10, 2021

 

Buckeyes offensive line target Payton Kirkland (@paytonkirk55) previews his upcoming trip to Columbus, his second Ohio State visit:https://t.co/JSJO0MAuGR

— Zack Carpenter (@Zack_Carp) November 10, 2021

 

Junior season highlights ✅https://t.co/MKIUjCMeep

— Payton ”PKAY“ Kirkland (@gbpkay) November 17, 2021

 

Hey Buckeye nation. Im here #GoBuckeyes 🌰 pic.twitter.com/VGUWSoE8cy

— Payton ”PKAY“ Kirkland (@gbpkay) November 19, 2021

 

Buckeye family show me some love ⭕️ pic.twitter.com/yPnRbhvwZm

— Payton ”PKAY“ Kirkland (@gbpkay) November 20, 2021

 

Decisions Decisions…. https://t.co/rM92lwb63S

— Payton ”PKAY“ Kirkland (@gbpkay) November 20, 2021

 

It’s a new era at the U… I am blessed to announce that I have been re-offered by the University of Miami 🙌🏾 #GoCanes @coach_cristobal pic.twitter.com/1BnkF7KVBj

— Payton ”PKAY“ Kirkland (@gbpkay) December 15, 2021

 

This is in God’s hands now🙏🏾 top 7 #AGTG pic.twitter.com/N4UEEKq0Er

— Payton ”PKAY“ Kirkland (@gbpkay) December 23, 2021

 

Earlier this week, 4⭐️ OL Payton Kirkland included #Clemson in his top seven.

Kirkland details why they made the cut, how his summer visit to the school went, thoughts on the Tigers’ 2021 season, and much more.

➡️ https://t.co/5rgYMjmcTl (On3+) pic.twitter.com/c7ZIxLWRzw

— Joseph Hastings (@JosephAHastings) December 26, 2021

 

Florida 4-star O-tackle gets introduction to new #OhioState offensive line coach, talks decision timeline. VIP https://t.co/Y74ViLN0ZZ

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) January 14, 2022

 

God works in mysterious ways…

I am blessed to announce that I have received an offer from The University of Alabama #RollTide @HolmonWiggins pic.twitter.com/ZAU14diV4K

— Payton ”PKAY“ Kirkland (@gbpkay) January 19, 2022

 

How do I look Cane gang?? #ItsAllAboutTheU 🙌🏾🧡 @coach_cristobal pic.twitter.com/0mI9mgumBH

— Payton ”PKAY“ Kirkland (@gbpkay) January 25, 2022

 

In Athens this weekend! @KirbySmartUGA @CoachEGordon 🐶🐶🐶🐶 #GoDawgs

— Payton ”PKAY“ Kirkland (@gbpkay) January 26, 2022

 

“There’s a clear difference between them and other programs.” That was Four-star OL Payton Kirkland’s conclusion after visiting Georgia Saturday.#GoDawgs He also found that Kirby Smart is his type of guy over the last few week. More from Kirkland.

New: https://t.co/R9EKhIq5Dm pic.twitter.com/Kt8x4gARcc

— Jeremy Johnson (@JeremyO_Johnson) January 31, 2022

 

PAYTON KIRKLAND
You know the drill by now. Kirkland is another immensely talented 2023 offensive tackle, and there seems to be lots of mutual respect between Ohio State and the four-star Florida standout. He last visited OSU for the Michigan State game, and the Buckeyes still have a great chance of landing Kirkland, but Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma are among the other schools vying for his commitment.

 

Florida 4-star offensive lineman looks to make third #OhioState visit in the not too distant future. VIP https://t.co/1CP9jEbfNc

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) February 14, 2022

 

KIRKLAND TO VISIT OSU IN SPRING
One of Ohio State’s top priority targets at offensive tackle for the 2023 class will be taking another visit to Columbus later this spring. Four-star Florida offensive tackle Payton Kirkland told Eleven Warriors Monday he plans on coming to Ohio State for a spring practice in either March or April. It would be the third trip to Columbus for Kirkland, who first visited OSU in late July for the Buckeye Bash & BBQ, then returned in November for the Michigan State game.

Kirkland currently has a top seven of Ohio State, Oklahoma, Michigan, Georgia, Miami, Penn State and Clemson. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound prospect will likely take all five of his official visits before making a decision, and those visits could all come during the summer. He told Eleven Warriors he has spoken to offensive line coach Justin Frye recently and plans to continue doing so.

"Coach Frye and I are getting to know each other and our backgrounds," Kirkland said. "He's a very down to earth coach."

Kirkland is ranked as the 200th-best prospect nationally and the 16th-best offensive tackle, per 247Sports’ composite rankings. Other top targets for Ohio State at tackle include Luke Montgomery, Samson Okunlola, Chase Bisontis and Olaus Alinen.