Newest Michigan, Ohio State Recruits Already Embracing Rivalry

The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State is arguably the greatest in all of sports, and it's clear that even the newest recruits are eager to participate in it.

The rivalry between Michigan and and Ohio State extends well beyond the football field. As former Buckeye head coach Urban Meyer once put it, "it's a way of life". Although Ohio State has dominated the rivalry over the last two decades, it's been Michigan that has assumed control of 'The Game' as of late - winning the last two contests by a combined score of 87-50.

Thanks to the latest success by Michigan, excitement surrounding the rivalry with Ohio State is at an all-time high. Not only are the current players for each program locked in on defeating their top rival in November, some of the newly committed prospects are already embracing the rivalry before officially signing with their future programs. 

On Monday, 2024 three-star offensive tackle Deontae Armstrong announced his commitment to Ohio State. Armstrong, an Ohio native, is considered the No. 16 overall player in the state according to 247Sports. In response to Armstrong's announcement, 2024 three-star offensive tackle Ben Roebuck (another Ohio prospect from the same school who recently committed to Michigan) couldn't help but respond to the news.  

Recent Michigan OL commitment Ben Roebuck and newest Ohio State commit Deontae Armstrong already embracing the rivalry.

“Can’t wait to beat y’all,” Roebuck said.

Armstrong replied, “What school did you grow up watching?”

Gotta love it〽️🌰 pic.twitter.com/cCzu5P4lae

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 27, 2023

Roebuck, a 6-7, 320-pound prospect out of Lakewood (Ohio), is considered to be the No. 12 rated overall recruit from the state of Ohio and the No. 24 rated offensive tackle in the nation. In his recent commitment to Michigan, Roebuck admitted that he was a fan of Ohio State growing up, but things changed when he got older.

BREAKING: 2024 OT Ben Roebuck tells me he has Committed to Michigan!

The 6’7 315 OT from Lakewood, OH chose the Wolverines over Tennessee, Penn St & others

“I was an OSU fan growing up, but then I grew up and realized that Michigan was the place to be.”https://t.co/x6K3QYHSya pic.twitter.com/hfZzzHjHlO

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 22, 2023

The 2023 edition of 'The Game' will take place in Ann Arbor at the Big House on Nov. 25, where the Wolverines will have a shot at making it three-straight over the Buckeyes for the first time since 1995-97.