Alabama '23 FL RB - Richard Young (Alabama Verbal)

Country's No. 1 RB has #Buckeyes as a top choice. Looking to return soon to #OhioState. VIP https://t.co/jrT6L7nRf7 @CoachTonyAlford

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) July 4, 2021

 

Ohio State will host a BBQ event July 29-31. The country’s No. 1 class of 2023 running back Richard Young expected to be at Ohio State BBQ.

 

The nation’s No. 1 ranked 2023 running back sets an #OhioState visit (VIP via @Andrew_Ivins) https://t.co/71RFtDW55H pic.twitter.com/EoZ5gjyRSK

— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) July 13, 2021

 

"Man, I'm honestly really boring." Nation's top junior running back Richard Young @richardyoung239 keeps a low profile as his recruitment turns into one of the nation's most heated battles:https://t.co/uHFkXlp8uz

— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) July 13, 2021

 

Bck in Columbus 28th #GoBuckeyes 🌰 pic.twitter.com/6UXlgC0P8G

— Richard Young (@richardyoung239) July 23, 2021

 

Richard Young (@richardyoung239) is on Ohio State’s campus for the second time in as many months. #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/ihv3kgZG6B

— Joseph Hastings (@JosephAHastings) July 29, 2021

 

Great day at University of Florida Today !!! #Gogators🐊 pic.twitter.com/tPG6chcn9C

— Richard Young (@richardyoung239) August 1, 2021

 

The top running back in the class of 2023, Richard Young, has plenty of football talent, but there's more to why he could be the next great player from Florida.
Full story here: https://t.co/5WneZiLKKv (On3+)

— Jeremy Johnson (@JeremyO_Johnson) August 6, 2021

 

#Blessed pic.twitter.com/nZmKkk3k8H

— Richard Young (@richardyoung239) August 6, 2021

 

One Step Closer #Blessed🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/rqzZr9cav0

— Richard Young (@richardyoung239) August 8, 2021

 

2023 RB @richardyoung239 455 LB Squat Rep…#BoltUp⚡️⚡️⚡️ #LehighLightningFootball pic.twitter.com/HzKstVCcpq

— James Chaney (@coachchaney96) August 11, 2021

 

Checking in at No. 1 on The Big 15 is none other than @Lehigh_football’s 5⭐️ running back, @richardyoung239.

Young repeats at No. 1 on The Big 15 — the first to ever do so — and has a solid chance at the coveted three-peat next year.https://t.co/1oenqnXQTY

— Alex Martin 𝕏 (@NP_AlexMartin) August 15, 2021

 

.@On3Recruits checking in on elite 2023 RB Richard Young.

Visited numerous schools this summer, including #Bama, #Clemson, #FSU, #UGA and #OhioState (twice). pic.twitter.com/2ocHJ45UA7

— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) August 19, 2021

 

Elite 2023 RB Richard Young talks about his “strong relationship” with Tony Alford, takeaways from visiting Columbus twice, why #OhioState made his top 10 recently, and more.

“I feel like he can turn me into another Ezekiel Elliott while I’m there.”

➡️ https://t.co/PDdiDwYmFJ pic.twitter.com/dN01Ui8qrP

— Big Me Kickoff (@BigMe_Kickoff) August 26, 2021

 

HAVE MERCY! @Lehigh_football junior RB @richardyoung239 shows why the likes of Alabama, Ohio State and Florida are after him. pic.twitter.com/TYCOE614Un

— Sean Barie FOX 13 (@SeanBarieFOX13) August 27, 2021

Final stat line for @richardyoung239:

21 rushes, 282 yards, 3 TDs

Young picks up right where he left off last season against Sarasota, when he ran for 242 yards on 13 carries against the Sailors.

— Alex Martin 𝕏 (@NP_AlexMartin) August 27, 2021

 

Today is the first day coaches can directly contact 2023 recruits. We highlight some of the prospects who should be first on the list for Ohio State to talk to. https://t.co/nRpH7Xei1Y

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 1, 2021

RICHARD YOUNG, RUNNING BACK
OSU would be happy landing any of their primary running back targets in Young, Reuben Owens or Justice Haynes. But Young is truly a game-changer, boasting explosive agility with a 6-foot, 190-pound frame that also makes him a weapon in between the tackles, which makes him the No. 1 running back in the class. Young visited the Buckeyes twice this summer, and although he has no set commitment date, OSU will continue to be aggressive in Young’s recruitment.

 

#GoBucks 🌰 pic.twitter.com/zYnFGYAEY8

— Richard Young (@richardyoung239) September 3, 2021

 

The Hurry-Up: Ohio State 2024 linebacker target Edwin Spillman enjoyed his trip to Columbus last week and hopes to return later this fall. https://t.co/3zswxr85Sn

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 28, 2021

YOUNG FOCUSING ON SELECT SCHOOLS
While Ohio State has recently expanded its search for 2023 running backs, such as running backs coach Tony Alford attending one of Massillon running back Willtrell Hartson’s games earlier this month, it’s no secret who their top priority is in this cycle: Richard Young.

The 6-foot, 190-pound five-star running back narrowed his school list down to 10 teams back in August, but has told 247Sports this week his focus may be much narrower than that.

“Ohio State and Clemson,” Young told 247Sports about what schools are standing out. "Really, it's the big-time schools and then some others. Alabama is in there too."

Young, who visited Columbus twice this summer, has not made a visit anywhere yet this fall, but plans to in the coming weeks. Clemson running backs coach C.J. Spiller, the former Buffalo Bills running back, recently went down to Young’s hometown of Lehigh Acres, Florida, to scout the phenom running back in person. Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Young is the 21st-rated prospect in the 2023 class and the top-rated running back.