LAKEWOOD, Ohio — The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan extends far beyond the gridiron, annually finding its way to the recruiting trail in the search for the best high school prospects in the nation. More often than not, that battle takes place in the talent-rich Buckeye State, as was the case just this week in Lakewood.
On Monday, OSU landed not one, but two St. Edward offensive linemen, beginning when tackle Deontae Armstrong confirmed his commitment to Columbus. Within the hour, he was joined by his twin brother Devontae, giving Ryan Day a literal "twin-killing" that could potentially lead the team in the trenches for years to come.
"The saying still stands: The best in Ohio, stay in Ohio," Deontae told recruiting website On3, which noted he and Devontae each had offers from Georgia and Penn State, among other schools. "I'm coming home."
Both consensus four-star prospects, the 6-foot-7, 285-point Deontae served as the Eagles' left tackle in 2022, while the 6-foot-6, 292-point Devontae was mostly at left guard but also has experience on the outside. Both brothers earned second-team All-Ohio honors last year while helping St. Ed to its second straight Division I state championship.
Highlights from Deontae:
Highlights from Devontae:
The Armstrong twins were joined up front by right tackle Ben Roebuck, himself a three to four-star prospect who made first-team all-state. Not to be outdone, Roebuck announced his college plans last Wednesday, but instead chose to head north to play for Michigan.
Notably, the Wolverines offered scholarships to Roebuck and the Armstrongs, but Roebuck did not receive an offer from the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-7, 315-pounder seems to be more than happy with his choice, however.
"I was an OSU fan growing up, but then I grew up and realized that Michigan was the place to be," Roebuck, who chose UM over schools like Tennessee and Penn State, told On3. "Go Blue."
Roebuck is the second Greater Cleveland offensive lineman from the class of 2024 to commit to Michigan, joining Avon's Luke Hamilton. Jim Harbaugh also has offers out for Archbishop Hoban's William Satterwhite and Cleveland Glenville's Fred Johnson, representing perhaps the Wolverines' biggest recruiting push in Northeast Ohio in more than a decade.
The most notable part of all this? Both Armstrongs as well as Roebuck still have one more year of high school remaining, and all will return to St. Edward this fall for a shot at a third straight title.