Previously: Last year’s profiles, K Adam Samaha, K James Turner (Tr), S Brandyn Hillman, CB DJ Waller, CB Cameron Calhoun, CB Jyaire Hill, HSP/LB Jason Hewlett, LB Hayden Moore, LB Semaj Bridgeman, LB Ernest Hausmann (Tr). Cincinnati (Princeton HS), OH – 6'4"/220 247: 6'4/220 3.50* 3*, 86 #96 ATH, #39 OH On3: 6'4/216 3.12* 3*, 83 #116 ATH, #81 OH Rivals: 6'5/204 3.66* 3*, 5.6 NR ATH, #25 OH ESPN: 6'5/200 3.56* 3*, 76, #93 MW #72 OLB, #30 OH Composite 3.60* / 3.47* 3*, #1107/#1203 Ovr #91/58 ATH, #33/37 OH MGoAverage 3.46* 3*, #713/787 Ovr #80/85 Edges since '90 YMRMFSPA Jaylen Harrell Other Suitors Kentucky, also Cincy, Tenn, WVU, Purdue Previously On MGoBlog Hello by Alex Drain. Notes Sr season transfer from Hamilton (same div.) Film: Midseason 2022: Hudl. It was Michigan that declared war on the Holy Roman Buckeye Empire, not the other way around, which the longtime masters of the Midwest thought kind of funny. But even after years of fighting, many observers still considered the Blues' confidence little more than Girondin bluster. So when a young Steve Clinkscale marched into Cincinnati and defeated a small army from the Kingdom of Kentucky, nobody—this site included—could have imagined the petit général was on his way to redrawing the map of Midwest recruiting. Obviously, Clinkscale's conquests could not have happened if not prefaced by a decisive victory in Columbus, the second comprehensive defeat of overconfident Buckeye forces in as many years. But the commitment of Breeon Ishmail before the Kentuckians' allies could intervene was the first sign the empire's own territories might be in jeopardy. Worse, the locals didn't even seem to mind the occupiers from Michigan, admiring their progressive ideas about NFL-style hybridity, economic Herbertization, and meritocratic promotion up the depth chart even for low 3-stars. Général Clinkscale quickly followed his triumph at Princeton High with a string of commitments in Ohio territory. Jason Hewlett, of Clinkscale's hometown of Youngstown, went to the Blues hours later. Cameron Calhoun overthrew a Cincinnati commitment to join him. Within days, Avon Park's massive citadel of Luke Hamilton declared for Michigan, and Hewlett's teammate DJ Waller, Auroan transfer AJ Barner, and St. Xavier's Ted Hammond were soon in Wolverine hands. Desperate Buckeye defenders cried out for reinforcements, but they were too late to stop Clinkscale from linking up with Mike Hart, and taking the key fortress of Jordan Marshall, opening a path to 2024 #1 Ohio prospect Aaron Scott, and perhaps Columbus itself. When historians look back on the dissolution of the Holy Buckeye Empire, they note the characteristic corruption and brittleness of ultraconservative governments, contrast the rule of Ryan von Thirdbase with his more august predecessor Emperor Urban I, and cite external factors like harsh winter conditions and illness within the Buckeyestrian ranks. But as much as it pains this historian to adopt a talking point from the largely discredited Great Man Theory, some part of the explanation must also be reserved for the brilliance and audacity of Clinkscale's Cincinnati campaign, which began with the taking of Breeon Ishmail. Or perhaps they'll just say we got a bon pass rusher. [After THE JUMP: Potential ramifications for future Ohio Statean passers.]