Revisiting March Ohio State defensive recruiting goals, priorities
Ohio State recruiting is a year-round venture, and Lettermen Row is trying to keep everyone up to speed on just how the Buckeyes’ efforts are going. At the beginning of each month, our staff will make a to-do list for Ryan Day and his staff on the recruiting trail while reviewing the prior month’s list. A look at how March went for Ohio State.
COLUMBUS — Ohio State continues to barrel toward an important summer, but it’s not losing sight of a foundational spring.
The Buckeyes by all counts have had a successful March on the recruiting trail defensively. Even without a commitment from a prospect, Ohio State has set itself up nicely for the pledges to roll in in the coming months.
Maybe even weeks?
Before that conversation takes place, however, there needs to be some reflection.
Lettermen Row looks back on the defensive recruiting goals and priorities from March and where the Buckeyes go from here.
Let’s dive in.
ICYMI: Ohio State defensive recruiting goals, priorities ahead of exciting March
The direction is clear
Ohio State and its defensive back coaches Tim Walton and Perry Eliano have a great command of their grand plan for 2024.
Walton, the Buckeyes’ cornerbacks coach, is in constant contact with in-state prospects Aaron Scott Jr. and Bryce West. The duo — and their respective coaches — receive plenty of phone calls from Walton, Eliano, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and head coach Ryan Day weekly.
While some hope the Buckeyes can seal the deal on both sooner rather than later, these recruitments will take time. Scott knows he will make a decision this summer, and if history means anything, West will wait until December as is a sort of tradition for prospects at Glenville High School.
Four-star Chandler (Ariz.) Basha cornerback Miles Lockhart is projected by many (including me) to choose the Buckeyes.
After speaking with sources inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, the Buckeyes are looking for a fourth prospect at corner.
Looking at safety, the Buckeyes offered in-state four-star Dayton (Ohio) Centerville talent Reggie Powers on March 25. I expect him to end his recruitment and take one of the spots off Eliano’s board.
The Buckeyes heading into April are in a great position for five-star Buford (Ga) safety KJ Bolden. They also hosted four-star Miami Gardens (Fla) Chaminade-Madonna Prep safety Zaquan Patterson on March 20.
Sources indicated Patterson ‘had a great time, loved it.”
That puts Ohio State at three. There is reason to think it would take four, but the fourth one has to be the right one.
Not commits, but the trail is hot
Four-star Sunbury (Ohio) Big Walnut linebacker Garrett Stover remains the lone defensive prospect in the Buckeyes’ 2024 class.
The No. 11 linebacker and No. 147 overall prospect per On3 has been the lone man since November, and he will continue to be the lone man heading into April.
He obviously won’t be the only prospect, however. And not for long either.
A number of sources have confirmed to Lettermen Row that the Buckeyes are sitting on a few commitments from defensive prospects. It’s all about timing and momentum for Ohio State.
In-state clarity
Ohio State has championed reenergized emphasis on in-state recruiting under Ryan Day.
And in the 2024 cycle that certainly is the case.
Over half the class is currently made up of Ohioans, and more could be on the way.
This section named two prospects on the first of the month — Powers and EDGE Javon Hammonds.
Both have been on campus this month, Powers earned an offer while Hammonds did not. That doesn’t mean the Buckeyes are out on Hammonds. Far from it. And if you need proof of that, 2023 cornerback enrollee Jermaine Mathews didn’t earn his offer until June heading into his senior year.
Powers earned that offer and has told Lettermen Row that Ohio State is his dream school. Usually, that might as well be the kiss of death, but with an in-state prospect, it’s quite the opposite.
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