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Ohio State recruiting: Who is left on defense for the class of 2015?

Land Grant Holy-Land breaks down the possible defensive prospects that could fill out Ohio State's 2015 recruiting class.

Malik Jefferson
Malik Jefferson
247Sports

Before we know it, National Signing Day will be here. Ohio State currently holds pledges from 15 prospects across the country and 10 of them will be a part of the Silver Bullet defense that is trying to get back to its traditional stout ranking.

Let's take a look at some more possibilities on defense that could also potentially lift the Buckeyes to another top five class under head coach Urban Meyer.

Micah Abernathy, CB, Greater Atlanta Christian School (GA)

Ohio State got things started with Abernathy back in April when they first offered him. On July 19, the four-star DB named a top five of Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Tennessee. Six days later, Abernathy was in attendance for the Ohio State Friday Night Lights camp and got plenty of attention from the staff. While it would seem that Abernathy would take an official visit to the five schools in his top group, the only official that is set is to Oregon. The 247Sports Crystal Ball reads Georgia and Tennessee in the lead with the Buckeyes having an outside shot.

Terry Beckner Jr, DE, East St. Louis (IL)

Ohio State offered Beckner back in May of last year and quickly jumped into the top three for the five-star defensive end. Ever since then, things seemed to slow down with Beckner and the Buckeyes. That is until last week when Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports reported that the 6'4, 293-pounder would likely take an official visit to ColumbusWiltfong added that Ohio State may be the biggest challenger to Missouri, who are the favorites to land him. Beckner will likely be taking officials to Florida State, LSU and Oregon along with the aforementioned teams.

Ricky DeBerry, OLB, Atlee (VA)

On August 4, the No. 2 overall player in the state of Virginia announced a top eight that included Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia and Virginia Tech. The former St. Christopher's School (VA) and now Altee (VA) standout is expected to be in attendance when Ohio State takes on the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Ben Edwards, Safety, Trinity Christian (FL)

After previously being apart of the 2015 Buckeye recruiting class and decommitting, OSU still has a shot with the hard-hitting safety from Florida. Edwards flipped to Auburn after an unofficial visit just two months after pledging to Ohio State. Earlier this month, Edwards backed off of his commitment to Auburn and re-opened his recruitment. The 6'0, 196-pounder told 247Sports that he was still considering the Tigers along with Ohio State, Stanford and UCLA. Despite the Cardinals being in the best position to land Edwards, Bill Kurelic of 247Sports reported that Edwards will take an official visit to Columbus.

Neville Gallimore, DT, Canada Prep Football Academy (ON)

The Buckeyes are looking for more defensive lineman to pair with '15 DE Joshua Alabi, Jashon Cornell and '15 DE Dre'Mont Jones. That guy could very well come from Canada in Neville Gallimore. The 6'3, 300-pounder has been on campus previously back in May right after he received his offer from Ohio State. As of now, the Buckeyes and Sooners seem to be in the best position for the Canadian. Ohio State will be looking to get an official now (they should) as Oklahoma already has one set for September 12.

Porter Gustin, OLB, Salem Hills (TN)

This is a name that just started getting buzz within the last week. The Buckeyes offered Gustin back in May of this year and not much came about at the time. But last week, 247Sports' Barton Simmons reported that the four-star linebacker would officially visit Ohio State. Gustin looks to take officials to Notre Dame, Florida State and likely USC, as they are the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorites for the Utah native.

Malik Jefferson, OLB, Poteet (TX)

The No. 1 outside linebacker in the country comes from Texas and early indications are that he will stay in the state for college. The Aggies and Longhorns are the two teams that seem to be on top for the five-star but don't count out Ohio State. The linebacker standout will be on campus when Ohio State takes on Illinois for an official visit on November 1st. Jefferson is scheduled to make his commitment one month later on December 19.

DeAndre McNeal, OLB, Poteet (TX)

The 6'2, 228-pounder is the teammate of Jefferson at Poteet. The Buckeyes first got in on McNeal in May when they extended the offer. The three-star then camped in Columbus in the middle of June and came away impressed. The outside linebacker duo will likely take an official visit to Ohio State on the same date, against Illinois, but nothing is set for McNeal. One day after Jefferson, on December 20th, McNeal will make his commitment and very well could be a package deal with his teammate. Despite being listed on the defensive side, McNeal very well could end up on offense in college.

Rashad Roundtree, Safety, Lakeside (GA)

The four-star defensive back is down to six programs. On August 2nd, Roundtree named a top list that included Alabama, Auburn, Duke, Georgia, Michigan State and Ohio State. The Buckeyes received a visit from the Georgia native back in June and that will likely not be his last visit to Columbus. Roundtree told Mike Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he will take an official visit to Ohio State. Roundtree included that he hopes to make it for "The Team Up North game." The 6'1, 195-pounder is currently expected to land in Athens and become a Georgia Bulldog.

Will Sunderland, Safety, Midwest City (OK)

The Buckeyes will be in a battle with the in-state Oklahoma Sooners to land the 188th overall player in the country. Other teams still in the mix for Sunderland would be Oklahoma State and Nebraska but this one seems to be down to two programs. The four-star prospect will be in attendance when Ohio State squares off against the Wolverines on November 29 for an official visit to the campus in Columbus.

Josh Sweat, DE, Oscar Smith (VA)

Ohio State has made enough of an impression on the No. 1 player in the country to secure an official visit from him. The unofficial visit to Columbus back in June was what made the official visit possible and sure enough, it will happen. Sweat will be in attendance when Ohio State takes on the Hokies. This will be one of the biggest recruiting weekends for the 2015 class to date as many other top targets will also be in attendance. Sweat has raved about defensive line coach Larry Johnson and spent time with '15 DE Jashon Cornell and '15 LB Justin Hilliard at The Opening. The five-star pass rusher is also taking officials to Florida State, Georgia, Oregon and Virginia Tech.

Kevin Toliver, CB, Trinity Christian (FL)

Despite being committed to Les Miles and the LSU Tigers, Toliver is open to other schools. According to Barton Simmons, Ohio State will get an official visit from the No. 7 overall player in the country. Toliver will be in Columbus on September 6, which is the loaded Virginia Tech game. He will also make official visits to Auburn, LSU, UCLA and Virginia Tech. The second best corner in the nation has visited Columbus previously. He was on campus back in June of last year and the Buckeyes offered him the very next day.

Jordan Whitehead, CB, Central Valley (PA)

Finally, the Buckeyes look to get the 5th best player from Pennsylvania in this years class. It is very telling by the amount of unofficial visits that Whitehead has took to Columbus that the interest is definitely mutual. Whitehead has made five visits to Ohio State and has received a visit from Head Coach Urban Meyer since being offered. The four-star DB's most recent visit was in July for FNL where he was seen spending plenty of time with Meyer, Braxton Miller and Mark Pantoni. Ohio State is the current favorite on the Crystal Ball. He will announce his collegiate decision on October 3rd.

Who do you most expect the Buckeyes to land of the previously mentioned defensive prospects? Leave your answers in the comments below and keep it locked with Land Grant Holy-Land as we will keep you updated with all of the latest happenings in Ohio State recruiting.