On Wednesday, we profiled Virginia Tech running back target Jalynn Sykes out of Georgia. Today, we’ll profile another target from Georgia in offensive lineman James Ohonba.
Ohonba is a 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive lineman who plays for Woodland High School in Stockbridge, GA. Stockbridge is also where Virginia Tech signee Jalen Holston is from, though they play for different high schools. Ohonba is ranked as the No. 21 offensive tackle in the country and is a 4-star recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite rating. Ohonba has reported 18 scholarship offers, most notably from schools like Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Clemson and Tennessee.
Ohonba is a versatile blocker, playing both tackle spots, as well as guard. Ohonba excels in the run game, especially when he can get that 320-pound frame moving. Ohonba drives defenders into the second level and is athletic enough to stick with them. He finishes blocks well, which is always a good sign of a lineman’s mentality.
He holds his own as a pass blocker, but could struggle a bit when facing bigger, quicker rushers. That said, he’s strong enough to take on anyone and should translate well as a right tackle or guard.
Virginia Tech has resonated with Ohonba and the Hokies seem to be in the mix. However, Ohonba has taken visits to multiple big time programs, including Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Alabama and Georgia seem to be the biggest contestants at the moment for Ohonba’s services.
Fortunately for the Hokies, the coaching staff has had plenty of success recruiting kids from the Peach State recently. Virginia Tech signed three recruits from Georgia in the Class of 2017 — Holston, Jaylen Griffin and Lecitus Smith. Tech also has several players currently on the roster from Georgia who’ve signed recently, including Emmanuel Belmar and D’Andre Plantin. Ohonba is from just outside the Atlanta area, an area that Zohn Burden recruits. With Burden, as well as Vance Vice likely recruiting him as well, Virginia Tech should have a decent chance to sign Ohonba.
Virginia Tech has cast a wide net for offensive linemen in the Class of 2018. After signing just two linemen in the Class of 2017 (Aiden Brown and Christian Darrisaw), the Hokies could easily take four or five linemen in this year’s class. The Hokies have prioritized Ohona, Nana Asiedu, Antwan Reed and Reuben Unije, but are also recruiting guys like John Harris, Casey Holman, Jordan McFadden and Aidan Rafferty. After a less than stellar offensive line class in 2017, Virginia Tech must add some big-time talent in this recruiting cycle.
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Multiple penalites for … excessive blocking!
I hope #14 is still alive.
We were actually discussing this in the office. Ohonba is absolutely massive.
Well, he already had the color drained out of him when this was taken, so I am not sure he made it through.