Wayne HS Offensive Lineman Joshua Padilla

Joshua Padilla has offers from Ohio State Buckeyes, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Indiana Hoosiers, Michigan Wolverines, Oklahoma Sooners, Penn State Nittany Lions, Tennessee Volunteers, and Virginia Cavaliers. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder has been high on OSU for quite some time, and had attended the Bucks' Junior Day in February. "I've always liked Ohio State," Padilla said. "It's a great tradition there."

Statistics

Joshua Padilla has recorded 25 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 QB hurries, 1 fumble recovery, 3 forced fumbles, 36 tackles for loss.

Joshua Padilla Visits

Josh left the state of Ohio Saturday, June 19th 2021, at 8:45 am for his unofficial visit to Penn State. The Buckeyes have offered and are also recruiting him hard. Penn State has offered and he has said he wants to take an unofficial visit to Penn State this weekend before he goes to Miami Florida on June 24th.

Bill Kurelic's Prediction

"We think that (Joshua Padilla) will be playing for the Buckeyes," BSB's Bill Kurelic told 247Sports. "(Padilla) really fits what Ohio State is trying to do on the offensive line. He's very athletic and explosive. He's got a nasty edge about him."

With offers from schools such as Michigan and Illinois, and interest from schools such as Wisconsin and Notre Dame, it seems like Padilla has plenty of options to choose from at this point in time. But he had a pretty simple answer when asked what his top schools were right now. "Ohio State and Michigan," Padilla said. "Those are my top two schools.

He went on to say, "I appreciate having an in-state school in the Big 10." "I'm very set on Ohio State now."

What Ohio State gets in Padilla

Padilla stands out for his technique, toughness, and general desire. He's a little undersized right now, but that will improve as he works his way through Ohio State's strength and conditioning department.

Padilla has started at right tackle for Wayne High School since he was a freshman, but he will play inside at the next level. He is rated the No. 9 offensive guard and No. 51 overall player in the state according to 247Sports.com.

Joshua Padilla has always been a physical presence on the football field, but his size and strength have always been a question mark. That was until the two-way lineman from Wayne, Ohio answered those questions at Ohio State's one-day camp earlier this year.

"You could tell he was a better player and a better guy after it." Wayne coach Benji Madden said. "You could tell he walked away from there as a better person and a better player."

"That's going to show up once I get on campus," Padilla said. "I want to work hard and earn a spot on the team."
Padilla will close out his high school career with a lot more attention on him as a Division I recruit.