Ohio State has already identified a few priority in-state targets for the 2023 recruiting class and Huber Heights Wayne offensive lineman Joshua Padilla is one of them. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound prospect made multiple stops at Ohio State over the summer, the first of which came back in June where he put in a full camp workout for the Ohio State coaching staff.
“At the camp, I just got a good feeling about how everything is (at Ohio State),” Padilla told BuckeyeScoop.com on Friday evening. “(Got to see) how coach Stud teaches. He’s a great coach and gave me great lessons on what to do, just how to go after things basically. Coach (Kennedy) Cook, in the drills, he was a great instructor with the positions and my footwork. I got a great feeling. I wasn’t comfortable (at first) but I got comfortable at the end, one of my favorite schools.”
Padilla then returned to Ohio State at the end of July for the BBQ which saw several key targets in attendance for the Buckeyes, especially in the 2023 class.
“It was real good meeting all of the recruits there,” Padilla recalled. “Just building bonds with all of them, seeing what they’re doing, how their game is and how they are attacking things, and what they think about Ohio State.”
“I feel like when I was at Ohio State the second time, I felt more comfortable,” he continued. “I knew almost everyone and I knew my way around the Woody and everything. I just basically felt super comfortable there.”
Padilla, and his senior teammate Aamil Wagner, are both being recruited heavily by Ohio State and Notre Dame. Notre Dame is an early factor for Padilla with two former Wayne standouts on the coaching staff. But that isn’t all that Padilla likes about the Fighting Irish.
“Notre Dame is definitely one of my top schools,” Padilla started. “Coach (Mike) Mickens and coach (Marcus) Freeman are great coaches and great people to be around. I have great conversations with both of them. Coach Quinn is one of the best offensive line coaches and produces one of the best offensive lines that there is and the academics there are like no other place.”
It won’t be long until Padilla finds himself back in Columbus and South Bend. He has game day visits setup to both places.
“I know week two that I’m going to Oregon versus Ohio State,” Padilla explained. “I plan on going to the White Out game (Penn State vs. Auburn on September 18th), and I plan on going to the Notre Dame versus USC game. Those are the three games I have scheduled.”
To learn more about Padilla’s game, what he’s working on right now, and how he envisions his recruiting process playing out, check out our 1-on-1 interview with the four-star prospect.
Congratulations to Joshua! He comes from a solid family and has fantastic support! Great discipline. He is going to be a great attribute to any team but hope he goes with Ohio.