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Ohio State's recruiting class currently stands at 22 commitments, with one, maybe two spots left. There are still a couple of players the staff is still looking at to fill out the class, but the bigger news might be that the Buckeyes' top two offensive line commits, Demetrius Knox and Jamarco Jones, were reportedly considering taking official visits to other schools.
We're going to break down the remaining targets and also talk about the situation with the two offensive linemen rethinking their commitments and why I'm a lot more worried about one than I am the other.
Who's left on Ohio State's recruiting board
WR/TE David Njoku, Cedar Grove, New Jersey, 3-star
The Buckeyes started to express interest in the 6'4, 220-pound Njoku a couple of months ago. He's one of the most versatile players in the 2014 class, having the ability to play wide receiver, tight end, and could also slot into the h-back role. Ohio State extended him a scholarship offer a couple of days ago and he's set to make the trip to Columbus next week. As things currently stand, Njoku is the only player I'm comfortable projecting to be in this class, but I don't think he's a lock.
OT Roderick Johnson, St. Louis, Missouri, 4-star
Ohio State hosted Johnson on an official visit last week, where I've heard things went pretty well. I've spoken to Johnson a couple of times throughout his recruitment and have always gotten the impression Florida State leads for his commitment. I'd be pretty surprised if the 6'6, 315-pound tackle didn't choose the Seminoles, but crazier things have happened.
Credit: Student Sports
DT Derrick Nnadi, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 4-star
In addition to hosting Johnson last weekend, the Buckeyes hosted the 6'1, 305-pound Virginia Beach product. While there's a small chance the Bucks could land him, it's definitely not likely. The two favorites appear to be Florida State, where he took an official back in December, and also Virginia Tech, where he's officially visiting this weekend. Another team still in the mix is Virginia, where he'll take his final official visit next weekend.
DE Malik McDowell, Detroit, Michigan, 5-star
It doesn't look like the Buckeyes will be taking a second player from the state of Michigan in this class as it appears McDowell has eliminated the Bucks from contention. Ohio State prioritizing Solomon Thomas coupled with the loss of defensive line coach Mike Vrabel doomed the Scarlet and Gray in this race. I think he'll end up playing for Michigan or Michigan State at the next level.
S Mike Rogers, Smyrna, Georgia, 3-star
For a long time, it looked the Bucks had a very good shot at flipping UCF commit Mike Rogers. As his recruitment has progressed, however, it is looking less and less likely by the day that this will end up happening. I still think Rogers will flip from Central Florida, but I think it will be to Georgia Tech, who's close to home as long as he's able to get the grades, which the scuttlebutt has speculated has been a bit of an issue for the 6'1, 185-pound safety prospect.
DT Daniel Cage, Cincinnati, Ohio, 4-star
It doesn't seem like the Buckeyes expressed too much interest in the 6'3, 295-pound defensive tackle until recently. Though the Buckeyes haven't extended him a scholarship offer just yet, the staff covets one more defensive lineman in the class and the in-state product might just be their guy if they extend him an offer in the next week. Right now I think the Michigan State Spartans are the favorite to land him, but an offer from the home-state team could definitely change things.
Note: Believe it or not, another player or two could emerge in the next week, week and a half.
Jones and Knox mull officials to rival schools
OT Jamarco Jones, Chicago, Illinois, 4-star
Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports broke the news that the longtime Ohio State commit would be making the trip to East Lansing next weekend for one final look at Michigan State. While as of right now, I think he'll stick with the Buckeyes, there's definitely some cause for concern. Jones is very close with a couple of Michigan State's commits and their coaches, too. Jamarco was also very close to Mike Vrabel, who left a couple of weeks ago for the Houston Texans job. Vrabel played a big role in Jones' commitment to Ohio State.
We'll definitely try to keep you updated on this situation as something big could happen in between now and National Signing Day.
OG Demetrius Knox, Fort Worth, Texas, 4-star
Another longtime Buckeye commit is also thinking about taking officials elsewhere. Knox was originally planning to make the trip to Austin for a final look at Texas this weekend, but it appears Urban Meyer, Tom Herman, and company talked him out of making that trip as he tweeted a few days ago that he would be "chilling" at home all weekend. He's also thinking about visiting UCLA next weekend, but it remains unclear if that will happen. If I had to guess, I'd say that visit doesn't happen.
We're going to keep you up to date on this situation too, but I'm very confident Knox will end up in the scarlet and gray, while I'm a little uncertain on the status of Jones.
