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Ohio State recruiting: State Secrets, 10/22 - Jerome Baker commits, Jacques Patrick set to announce

Jerome Baker became the 18th member of Ohio State's class on Tuesday night when he flipped his commitment from Florida to Ohio State. Also, Jacques Patrick has a decision date set.

By Austin Kemp
Student Sports

Starting things off, if you were out or watching the World Series last night, Ohio State landed their 18th commit in the 2015 class when Jerome Baker decided to decommit from Florida and give his pledge to the Buckeyes.

Baker is the third linebacker to commit in this year's recruiting class. If you couple this year's linebacker corps with the one this staff brought in during the 2014 cycle, there should be national championship caliber depth in the coming years. It's known that Baker is one of the best linebackers in the state, but he's also one of the best overall athletes nationwide as well. If he wanted, he could probably even be a pretty successful running back at the next level.

Baker currently checks in a 6'2, 210 pounds, ideal size for a high school senior and that weight will only grow when he gets into a college weight training and conditioning program. Urban Meyer needs to continue to bring in the top players in the state and put a fence around Ohio. Baker's commit solidifies what should be another solid in-state haul. There's no doubt that Jerome Baker has a chance to have a special career during his time in Columbus. LGHL was on top of the commitment as it happened. You can read much more here.

Running back next?

Long time Ohio State target Jacques Patrick has made it apparent that he will be announcing his decision on October 27. With recent Damien Harris news starting to trend away from Ohio State, Urban Meyer would love to haul in a running back with similar traits to Carlos Hyde. From Florida, Patrick stands just under 6'2 and weighs 230 pounds.

While there's no denying that he could flourish in a system like Meyer's, Florida State is thought to be the favorite at this point in time. To Meyer and co.'s credit, Ohio State has hung on throughout the process. If the Buckeyes pull an upset and land him next Monday, you can bet he'll be the only running back in this class.

Sweat equity

Josh Sweat has narrowed down his list to just three teams. Ohio State, unfortunately, did not make the cut. Sweat was in Columbus when the Buckeyes hosted Virginia Tech and had more than a puncher's chance at that point.

A commitment from Sweat would have done wonders and he could have ended up being the highest rated player in this class. The five-star defensive end is looking hardest at Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Georgia. It's hard to close the book on a kid when it's so early in the process, but it looks like the ship has sailed for Josh Sweat and his chances at becoming a Buckeye.

Quick Hits:

  • Ohio State offered LSU commit Matt Womack late Tuesday. Womack is a three-star offensive tackle from Mississippi and has been committed to the Tigers since July.
  • Per reports, the Buckeyes, and Spartans of Michigan State offered class of 2015 DE/ATH Rashod Berry of Lorain last night. The three-star prospect was one of many recruits on the OSU campus this past weekend for the Rutgers game. Could a commitment be next?
  • Reason for concern? Justin Hilliard will be taking yet another visit to Iowa.

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