Ohio State '20 MD LB (RS SR) - Mitchell Melton

24/7SportsComposite:

National: 638
Outside Linebacker: 45
Maryland: 20

 

Mitchell Melton
Maryland linebacker Mitchell Melton and Our Lady of Good Counsel don’t have an easy road through any football season. That’s why the team left something to be desired in the wins column, finishing the season 6-4-1. It lost to St. Joseph's Prep, St. John’s and DeMatha before losing in the first round of the playoffs to DeMatha. Melton locks in the edge of the defense that plays some of the biggest powerhouses in the DMV, but he will need to perform better to push Good Counsel over the top.

First Game: vs. Charlotte Catholic, Aug. 30

Game to Watch: at St. John Bosco, Sept. 13

Good Counsel is traveling across the country to play one of the top programs in the country, in St. John Bosco. Top 2020 quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei plays for St. John Bosco, as well as Ohio State linebacker commit Kourt Williams. That game will be a critical one for Melton’s career.

 

GOOD COUNSEL (MD.) VS GONZAGA HIGH SCHOOL (D.C.)

• Day: Friday
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Future Buckeyes: Mitchell Melton

Micthell Melton and his Good Counsel team continue their rigorous national schedule as the face off against Gonzaga High School.

Melton is the lone Buckeye commit and target in this game, and he will have his hands. Gonzaga features five-star 2021 quarterback Caleb Williams who will be playing behind on offensive line that features four three-star 2020 linemen committed to Penn State, Virginia, North Carolina State, and Wake Forrest.

Melton plays outside linebacker for his high school but often comes off the edge as a pass rusher on key downs. He has double-digit sacks this season and has had multiple games with multiple sacks. Look for Melton to be up to the challenge this week against this very talented offensive line for Gonzaga.

 

DEFENSIVE CHAMPION: MITCHELL MELTON, OLB, 2020
As he has for much of this season, 2020 three-star outside linebacker commit Mitchell Melton made a living in his opponent's backfield. Melton sacked 2021 five-star quarterback Caleb Williams four and half times on Friday night and also finished with two tackles for loss.

Earlier this season Melton and his Good Council squad went five overtimes with Gonzaga, but that was not the case this time around. With Melton leading the way, Good Council's defense held a talented Gonzaga offense to just 14 points in the rematch to come away with a lopsided 44-14 victory.

With his display of pass-rushing ability and how Buckeyes feel about their remaining targets, Melton may get looks at defensive end at Ohio State. But for the moment, Melton will continue terrorizing high school teams from an outside linebacker position.

Next up for Melton is the conference championship against a very good St. John's team.

 

#B1G time @OhioStateFB commit @m17m__ had a #B1G season for the @WCACSports Champs

95 tackles
20 sacks
1 interception
4 forced fumbles
8 PBU’s@TomVH @TomLuginbill @SWiltfong247 @MaxPreps @usatodayhss @jakelourim pic.twitter.com/ViBmHfCGaf

— GC Football (@gcfootball) November 28, 2019

 

Ohio State's 2019 Early Signing Period Profile: Three-star LB Mitchell Melton https://t.co/AZs8NVrbpL pic.twitter.com/ekGV7PJKto

— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) December 14, 2019

 

Signed: Mitchell Melton officially inks his letter of intent, giving the Buckeyes a big and versatile linebacker with a combination of size and quickness. https://t.co/rMoe397sxX

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) December 18, 2019

 

Ohio State was picky at linebacker in 2020 and focused in on Maryland standout Mitchell Melton @m17m__ early in the process. Melton officially joined the program this morning, signing his LOI: https://t.co/NWjSs2XHGL #Buckeyes

— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) December 18, 2019

 

MITCHELL MELTON
Melton projects as a guy who could end up playing with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end, but linebackers coach Al Washington said that may not be the case.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Washington told Eleven Warriors at Fiesta Bowl media day. “His plan is to be a linebacker with the ability to rush situationally. We are counting on him to be a linebacker for us and have the ability to rush the passer. He’s another guy you have in your room that can do multiple things so I’m excited about that.”

When asked about Melton, Washington’s eyes widened, and he got noticeably more enthusiastic discussing the 6-foot-3, 235-pound three-star recruit, ranked No. 542 overall, No. 36 at OLB and No. 19 in the state of Maryland, where he starred for Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic High School.

“I recruited Mitchell so I got to know him very well,” Washington said. “He’s another guy that’s versatile. Where Kourt is more back end to the middle, Mitchell is more front end to the middle. He’s athletic enough to play linebacker, and he’s got a knack for rushing the passer. I think he set the school record for sacks this past year at Good Counsel, which is saying something. I’m very excited about Mitchell. He’s very dynamic in his own right.”

 

Class of 2020 breakdown | ⁦@BillLandis25⁩ Mitchell Melton’s fit in Ohio State’s defense: Exploring the possibilities and his potential #Buckeyes https://t.co/AL1VUnHui8

— The Athletic Cleveland / Columbus (@TheAthleticCLE) February 11, 2020

 

Mitchell Melton on role in Ohio State defense, huge senior season https://t.co/plaXCRJ2o6

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) February 17, 2020

 

The 11 freshmen who weren't early enrollees and transfer running back Trey Sermon are all going through their first week of workouts at Ohio State this week. https://t.co/YXO2aJnaWd

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) June 9, 2020

MITCHELL MELTON, LB
Already listed at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Melton is a bigger linebacker who could offer the versatility to play both as a traditional linebacker and as an edge defender.

The four-star recruit from Maryland isn’t likely to see the field much as a freshman, again because of all the depth and experience in front of him at the linebacker position, but he’s a promising developmental prospect with an impressive combination of size and athleticism. In his first year on campus, he’ll work with Al Washington and Greg Mattison to hone his technique while they evaluate what role he might ultimately be best suited for in Ohio State’s defense going forward.

 

MITCHELL MELTON, LB
Melton could possibly be another candidate to play all year as a freshman if he can carve out a role on special teams, but a redshirt seems most likely for him. A bigger linebacker with the potential to play a variety roles for the Buckeyes, Melton has intriguing upside for the future but is unlikely to see significant playing time on defense as a freshman, and with all the upperclassman linebackers on Ohio State’s roster, it would make sense for the Buckeyes to preserve Melton’s eligibility this year.

 

🚨 Black Stripe Alert ‼️#H2 pride! Sky's the limit for this guy -- congrats on losing your black stripe @m17m__!#GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/QAVDP0thgI

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 13, 2020

 

Freshman linebacker Mitchell Melton becomes the fifth defensive player in Ohio State's freshman class to shed his black stripe. https://t.co/vf8kHfgzxR

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 13, 2020

 

After an unconventional first year at Ohio State, the recruiting class of 2020 will look to make a bigger impact for the Buckeyes in 2021.

A look at where things stand for all 24 returning members of that class going into their second year in Columbus: https://t.co/5qwUPEfpRO

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) February 23, 2021

LB MITCHELL MELTON (SPECIAL TEAMS IN ONE GAME)
Melton’s only playing time of his freshman year came in the season opener against Nebraska, when he made a late-game appearance on the kickoff coverage unit. He did not play any defensive snaps in 2020.

While the turnover at linebacker should open the door for him to earn at least some playing time in 2021, he’ll likely have to earn a more regular role on special teams before he sees substantial snaps on defense.

 

Second-year linebacker Mitchell Melton unavailable for rest of spring https://t.co/3nfpGB1IGj

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) April 5, 2021

 

Where does second-year #Buckeyes linebacker Mitchell Melton stand in the #OhioState program ahead of the 2021 season? We take a look in our latest Redshirt Review:

➡️ https://t.co/evIDQDYSbR pic.twitter.com/46pb4mlfr4

— Big Me Kickoff (@BigMe_Kickoff) July 18, 2021