Ohio State looks to make D-line elite

After earning commitments from three of the country’s top defensive line recruits in last year’s recruiting class, the coaching staff is continuing to focus on the position heading into this year’s class.

The program has already earned a commitment from the No. 1 defensive tackle in five-star Taron Vincent (Bradenton, Fl / IMG Academy) but the team isn’t stopping there. Late Sunday evening we learned that top-rated weak-side defensive end Micah Parsons (Harrisburg / PA Harrisburg) had decommitted from Penn State, opening up his recruitment.

The five-star WDE has taken multiple unofficial visits to Ohio State in recent months, including the annual spring game. The update in his recruitment is an obvious good sign for the Buckeyes and since the news, the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions have seen a whopping eight predictions in favor of Ohio State. The push has now made the Buckeyes the favorite in the race with 53 percent of the predictions in their favor.

Ohio State is not alone in the pursuit for Parsons though, as Alabama and Georgia are also both making a strong push to land the elite talent. These two schools, along with both Ohio State and Penn State, will likely receive an official visit from Parsons in the coming year. These visits will provide much insight into the direction he is leaning.

Parsons isn’t the only elite defensive line recruit the Buckeyes are in good position with, though. The country’s No. 2 strong-side defensive end is also strongly considering the Buckeyes and he could be announcing his decision sooner rather than later.

Brenton Cox (Stockbridge, GA / Stockbridge) has long been favored to be a Georgia Bulldog when it is all said and done. However, the Buckeyes have been making a strong push to land him and were rewarded when Cox listed the Bucks alongside his hometown school Georgia as his top two schools.

The four-star talent had initially planned to announce his decision this past weekend, but after visiting Columbus for the Ohio State spring game, he elected to delay his decision date.

To help ensure he makes the right decision for him, Cox also attended Georgia’s spring game Saturday, and expressed excitement beforehand on Twitter.

Not to be outdone however, Marc Givler of BuckeyeGrove.com reported that coaches from Ohio State traveled to Georgia on Monday to meet with Cox.

The battle for Cox is obviously intense and at this point nobody knows exactly which direction, if any, he is leaning. This could be because Cox himself is still unsure. It is safe to assume that an announcement will be coming soon though, as he appears to be looking for inspiration for a commitment video.

Make sure to keep up with Land-Grant Holy Land for updates on both of these elite recruits.