Top 2021 WR Lorenzo Styles Jr. Updates Recruitment
Pickerington Central (Ohio) made a three-hour drive to Columbus East (Ind.) on Friday and left with a gritty 20-14 win. The Tigers bus got caught in traffic and arrived late, which led to a sluggish performance and one 2021 receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr. wasn’t too pleased with following the game.
“We didn’t have our best performance, but a win is a win,” Styles said on Friday night. “We’re just going to prepare for next week.
“On our bus ride here, we weren’t really focused. We didn’t think that much of this team when we came here. We played down to their level and it showed on the scoreboard.”
The four-star prospect was surprisingly left out of much of the offensive game plan, but Styles played every snap on the defensive side of the ball.
“I feel like I’m an athlete,” said Styles. “They were throwing fades to the other side and I didn’t think they would throw to my side. I can use my athletic ability on both sides of the ball.”
Notre Dame is recruiting Styles as a receiver as offensive coordinator Chip Long and receivers coach Del Alexander have led the charge, but programs are projecting the Pickerington Central star on the defensive side of the ball.
“Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State and a few other schools are looking at me as an athlete,” stated Styles. “I’ve really only talked to Coach (Del) Alexander at Notre Dame.”
Styles already holds offers from programs like Auburn, Boston College, Duke, Florida, Michigan, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Wisconsin. However, a few schools are standing out for the Ohio native.
“I really like Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and I just got a Florida offer,” Styles said. “I hope to be able to take a visit there.
“I’m hoping I can get to the Auburn-Mississippi State game along with a game at Michigan.”
The Irish have hosted Styles five times in the last year and there is a great sense of familiarity with the program, which will allow Notre Dame to be in the race until the end. Michigan has also made a push in recent months as head coach Jim Harbaugh has led the charge.
“At Notre Dame, I really like the coaching staff a lot,” explained Styles. “I feel comfortable there and I can grow as an individual. Michigan, I like Coach Harbaugh and he’s showing me a lot of love. I really feel like they want me there and you should go where they want you.”
Styles lives about 25 minutes from Ohio State and his father played for the Buckeyes, so it’s no surprise the hometown team has his attention. Auburn hosted Styles in the summer and it’s a place that caught his eye as well.
“Ohio State, I really like Coach (Brian) Hartline a lot,” said Styles. “He’s a great receivers coach as well as the rest of the staff. Auburn is just different than the rest of my offers. I want to get a better feel for and more familiar with it.”
Florida offered this week following Styles’ game in Georgia last weekend. The Gators are a program Styles will now look into and start research on as he hopes to get to Gainesville this fall.
“I’m not really familiar with Florida and hopefully I can get down for a game visit,” stated Styles. “Coach (Keiwan) Ratliff offered me. We actually played a Florida team and I had a decent performance. They offered me following the game.”
Styles will return to Notre Dame in October for the USC game and his goal is to build relationships to see how he will fit in with other prospects being recruited by the Irish.
“I feel a lot of top recruits will be there and I hope to get a feel for them,” Styles said. “I want to get more comfortable with them and see who I would be playing with if I happen to go there.”
2021 Ohio State commit Jack Sawyer and 2021 Michigan commit JJ McCarthy have recruited the Ohio speedster hard, but no one has recruited harder than 2021 Notre Dame commits Tyler Buchner and Blake Fisher.
“Blake and I actually FaceTimed on Thursday,” Styles said. “We were talking about our games and stuff. I’m about to let him know how our game went. We’re real cool. He’s a real goofy guy. He’s so big – it’s just funny. He’s really down to earth.”
As for a decision, Styles hasn’t locked in a date and has remained firm that it will come before next fall.
“My decision, I’m not sure how far I’m going to push it,” said Styles. “I may take my official visits, but it will definitely be before my senior year.”
ISD Video | 2021 Four-Star WR Lorenzo Styles Jr.
Photo Gallery | 2021 Four-Star WR Lorenzo Styles Jr.