OSU battles for top class going into national signing day
Buckeyes looking to land a couple more commitments today.
COLUMBUS— Ohio State football will put the final touches on its 2018 recruiting class today, the first day of the regular signing period. Here are five things to know about the Buckeyes and their 2018 class heading into national signing day.
1. If it feels like there should be more hoopla, remember we’re in a new recruiting world. For many programs, the normal February signing day doesn’t carry as much weight because the majority of their classes were inked during the new early signing period back in December.
Ohio State signed 21 players on Dec. 20. So the action will be lessened some today.
2. Ohio State has 24 commitments. That’s the 21 who signed in the early period, and three who have committed since: fourstar defensive ends Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday; and four-star receiver Chris Olave.
Smith, Friday and Olave should all sign at some point today. Olave is on the West Coast, so his letter might come in a little later than the others.
When it comes to names to know for potential additions, that’s a short list. They are:
■ Five-star offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere. The Tampa product is the No. 7 overall player in the country, and the top tackle in the class.
■ Four-star offe nsive tackle Rasheed Walker. The Maryland product is the No. 65 overall player in the country, and the No. 6 tackle in the class.
■ Four-star linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste. The New Jersey product is the No. 219 overall player in the country, and the No. 16 outside linebacker in the class.
Petit-Frere and Walker have decisions set this morn- ing. Petit-Frere’s will be on ESPNU between 10 and 11 a.m. Walker will reportedly be announcing around 11:15 a.m. It’s unclear when Jean-Baptiste will announce his decision.
3. Petit-Frere and Walker are the highest priorities with offensive tackle being Ohio State’s greatest position of need in this class. The Buck- eyes have one tackle signed already in four-star prospect Max Wray, but the cupboard gets a bit bare if you look past the 2018 season.
When it comes to players on the roster who you know for sure are tackles, and have eligibility remaining beyond next season — well that list is short too. It’s basically sophomore Thayer Munford; junior Josh Alabi (a converted defensive tackle); redshirt sopho- more Gavin Cupp; and Wray. Then there are juniors Bran- den Bowen (a starting guard last year) and Michael Jordan (a starting guard for the past two years).
The point is Ohio State needs tackles. It’s not a glaring need that will show up this year. But without more tackles signed in 2018, the Buckeyes could find themselves in a somewhat precar- ious spot with that position in two years and be forced to sign 2019 prospects who must be ready to likely play early. That’s never an easy find with offensive linemen.
4. And here’s the issue for Ohio State: It’s likely the Buckeyes don’t add any new players to the class in the regular signing period.
They’re not considered the consensus favorite for either Petit-Frere or Walker. Though there’s some optimism with Ohio State having just hosted Petit-Frere for his final official visit last week- end, and the Buckeyes have always had a strong presence in Walker’s recruitment, the fact remains that Ohio State at the very least is in heated competition for both.
For Walker it’s Penn State or Ohio State, and the Nittany Lions remain the favorite after a round of in-home visits with his finalists last week. For Petit-Frere it’s all over the board with Flor- ida, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Alabama seemingly in decent spots and him keeping things close to the vest.
Even Jean-Baptiste is trend- ing toward Nebraska in the 247Sports crystal ball predictions.
5. So is it possible for Ohio State to not add any new players but still keep its top spot in the 247Sports composite class rankings? Can Urban Meyer get his first recruiting title in Columbus without a signing day splash? Most likely not.
The Buckeyes are No. 1 right now with a class score of 311.17. Georgia is No. 2 at 309.23. The only other program with the remaining targets to make a significant jump is Alabama, at No. 6 with a score of 275.92. But let’s assume the Crimson Tide are out of it. They’re a real long shot. It’s Ohio State vs. Georgia to end Alabama’s seven-year reign as recruiting champ.
Combine reunion: Eleven Buckeyes have accepted invitations to participate in the NFL combine starting late this month.
Four offensive players — quarterback J.T. Barrett, center Billy Price, tackle Jamarco Jones and tight end Marcus Baugh — will go to Indianapolis for the combine, which runs Feb. 27-March 5.
Defensive ends Sam Hubbard, Jalyn Holmes and Tyquan Lewis also w ill attend, as will linebackers Jerome Baker and Chris Worley, cornerback Denzel Ward and safety Damon Webb.
National champion Alabama, with 14, is the only program that will send more players than Ohio State to the combine.