Final Call: Four-star EDGE Damien Shanklin ready to announce commitment

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has one of the more loaded defensive line classes in the 2025 cycle. But that doesn’t mean they are done adding to it yet.

Four-star Indianapolis (Ind) Warren Central EDGE Damien Shanklin will announce his commitment on July 5 at 5:30 p.m. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Hoosier State native is the No. 86 overall prospect and the No. 12 EDGE in the On3 Industry Rankings. On3 has Shanklin as the No. 116 overall prospect and the No. 11 EDGE.

Shankling has a final three of Ohio State, LSU and Alabama. Lettermen Row breaks down the contenders including the Buckeyes while making a final call.

Ohio State

Ohio State is the beloved dream school for Shanklin. That makes sense of someone in-state, but very rarely will an out-of-state call the Buckeyes his dream place and end up in the scarlet and gray.

He made his debut Ohio State visit in March when he earned his dream offer, but that visit was actually supposed to happen earlier in the year. Regardless, it happened and that’s all that mattered. He returned to campus in June for his official visit and spoke very highly about the trip to On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

“It was good,” Shanklin said. “Had a great time. The Buckeyes showed me what I expected. And I also love the brotherhood that the players have and also just how they are with each other. I had a great experience and also had a wonderful time talking to Coach Day and Coach Johnson. But knowing that development is key is also something I love about the visit.”

Ohio State did host Shanklin once again in June when his high school competed in the Buckeyes’ annual 7v7 event. That Tuesday visit he met with Johnson and had a good time.

SEC

Shanklin’s official visit to LSU was the first official visit he made all summer. A flurry of RPM predictions were made on behalf of the Tigers. On3’s Steve Wiltfong and LSU recruiting analyst Billy Embody both placed predictions on LSU to land Shanklin. That official visit certainly moved the needle for Shanklin and the opportunity to create his legacy outside of the Midwest is intriguing.

Brian Kelly and his entire staff made Shanklin feel the love down in Baton Rouge and that hasn’t wavered any.

As for Alabama, it was another opportunity to see an SEC program and experience being down in the South. He had only visited Alabama once before but the official visit was an eye-opening experience for him. Spending time in Tuscaloosa was good for him and his camp. The Crimson Tide may not have moved the needle like LSU did, but they are a hat on the table for a reason.

Final Call

Ohio State was called the dream school but some dreams never come to fruition. The Buckeyes have made a good run here, but the depth of edge rushers in the 2025 class gives pause to any uncommitted prospect.

Additionally, the predictions on LSU are there for a reason. While the Buckeyes will be a hat on the table, we are not expecting it to be worn.

The post Final Call: Four-star EDGE Damien Shanklin ready to announce commitment appeared first on On3.