Predicting complete Ohio State 2024 recruiting class following early July commitments
COLUMBUS — Ohio State knows it needs to piece together one of the largest classes in the country this cycle.
The Buckeyes are well on their way their too.
They have 18 committed prospects to their No. 2 ranked class in the On3 Team Industry Rankings. Ohio State is looking to finish with anywhere between 25-28 signees in its class.
Head coach Ryan Day hasn’t signed a class near that big — excluding transfers — since the 2020 class when 25 Letters of Intent were sent the Buckeyes’ way.
Quick math points Ohio State needs at least seven more names to achieve the low end of its goal.
Lettermen Row, however, tosses out the low end and offers up its complete class prediction as of July 9.
And there’s no reason to bury the lede either, defense first.
Let’s dive in.
Defensive line & EDGE
Ohio State has one defensive lineman committed right now, but it’s a big one — no pun intended.
Five-star Chicago (Ill) St. Ignatius defensive tackle Justin Scott committed to the Buckeyes on July 2. The fact that Scott was the first defensive lineman committed for Ohio State and Larry Johnson this cycle is a major, major win.
Outward in, here’s who’s predictably in the class
Three-star Bradenton (Fla) IMG Academy defensive tackle Jayden Jackson.Five-star Chicago (Ill) St. Ignatius defensive tackle Justin ScottFive-star Buford (Ga) defensive lineman Eddrick Houston.Five-star Washington D.C. Friendship Collegiate Academy EDGE Dylan Stewart.
Jackson will commit on July 13. He’s between Ohio State, Texas, Miami, Florida and Oklahoma. It’s very real he could choose Texas this coming Thursday, but does he sign with the Longhorns? Jackson is a Midwestern guy (he’s from Indiana), he has a very close relationship with Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes — even with Scott — need interior depth.
Houston should not be considered a lock to Ohio State and that’s because he’s a five-star prospect from SEC country. That said, Aug. 22 — his commitment date — should be a good day for Ohio State. Stewart on the other hand should excite Buckeye fans.
Ohio State is trending for the No. 1 prospect in the country and I think it will pay off.
Linebacker
This position starts and ends with one prospect.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa.
The four-star Bellflower (Calif) St. John Bosco linebacker has kept his recruitment pretty tight to the chest. I have spoken to a number of sources over the last few days and get the sense that the Buckeyes will win this one.
USC has been a close contender in this recruitment and even in a few moments, I thought the Trojans were going to do it. But the effect of Day, Jim Knowles and predominantly James Laurinaitis are going to win this.
Four-star Sunbury (Ohio) Big Walnut linebacker Garrett StoverFour-star Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy linebacker Payton PierceFour-star Bellflower (Calif) St. John Bosco linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
Defensive back
Four-star Springfield (Ohio) cornerback Aaron Scott JrFour-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville cornerback Bryce WestFour-star Chandler (Ariz) Basha cornerback Miles LockhartFive-star Buford (Ga) safety KJ BoldenFour-star West Orange (N.J.) Seton Hall Prep Jaylen McClain
Scott and Bolden are the remaining names I’m predicting the Buckeyes to get. That’s two elite prospects in the class on top of who’s already in it.
But even with the additions of Scott and Bolden, the Buckeyes still come up short in the secondary.
Quarterback
Four-star Fairburn (Ga) Langston Hughes quarterback Air Noland
Running Back
Four-star San Antonio (Texas) Veterans Memorial running back James PeoplesFour-star Fort Lauderdale (Fla) St. Thomas Aquinas running back Jordan LyleThree-star Pickerington (Ohio) North running back Sam Williams-Dixon
Offensive Line
Four-star New Palestine (Ind) OT Ian MooreFour-star Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward OT Deontae ArmstrongFour-star Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward IOL Devontae ArmstrongThree-star Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic IOL Marc Nave
Yes, in this prediction, the Buckeyes miss out on both Brandon Baker and Guerby Lambert. Ohio State may be a major contender for Baker, but I want to be proven wrong this way instead of predicting him in and he not choosing the Buckeyes.
Ohio State hosted Lambert on his official visit and that’s going to be the extent of Guerby Lambert and the Buckeyes.
Tight End
Four-star Chattanooga (Tenn) Baylor School TE Max LeBlancFour-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville TE Damarion Witten
Wide Receiver
Five-star Hollywood (Fla) Chaminade-Madonna Prep WR Jeremiah SmithFive-star New Haven (Ind) WR Mylan GrahamFour-star St. Louis (Mo) Christian Brothers College WR Jeremiah McClellan
That’s two Jeremiahs for everyone keeping track. Brian Hartline’s scouted slot wideout from Missouri picks the Buckeyes over the Oregon Ducks.
End Count
Twenty-five (25).
The post Predicting complete Ohio State 2024 recruiting class following early July commitments appeared first on On3.
