Ohio State makes the cut for elite OLB

Ohio State’s 2018 recruiting class is beginning to take shape and early on, it appears to have the potential to be as good as last year’s historic haul, if not better. Currently, the Buckeyes sit at No. 7 in 247Sports class ranking. However, where things get impressive is the average rating of its members, coming in at a staggering 98.09 percent. To put this in perspective, last year’s class led the country with an average of 94.47 percent.

A big reason this year’s class has a chance to be special is the amount of talent the state of Ohio has to offer, and because of this, Urban Meyer has put an emphasis on recruiting in-state talent.

With one of Ohio’s best, in Westerville South all-purpose back Jaelen Gill, already committed the team, the increased efforts continue to reap rewards as the No. 4 recruit in the state listed the Buckeyes in his top five.

Four-star outside linebacker Dallas Gant (Toledo, OH / St. John’s Jesuit) announced his top five schools Monday night via Twitter, and the Buckeyes will be competing with Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Penn State to earn his commitment.

While Ohio State is seen as the clear favorite in the race for Gant, arch-rival Michigan has been increasing its efforts in recruiting him. The program hosted him on an unofficial visit this past weekend and he walked away impressed.

The Buckeyes will need to continue to recruit Gant in the coming year if they hope to land him. Expect him to use multiple of his official visits to these schools before committing on his birthday, May 16.

Rising DB set to visit Ohio State

After sending multiple defensive backs to the NFL in the first round of last year’s draft, combined with a projected three more this year, Ohio State is presenting strong evidence as being labeled ‘DBU.’

Losing a plethora of talent in the program’s secondary over the last two years means the Buckeyes will need to reload at the position. Fortunately, the success is also a key draw for elite recruits and the school will reportedly soon have a chance to sway another elite DB.

On Monday, Chad Simmons of Rivals.com reported that 2018 cornerback recruit Jaycee Horn (Alpharetta, GA / Alpharetta) will be on campus April 15 for Ohio State’s spring game.

The three-star CB has been seeing more activity in his recruiting process in the last three months than ever before. Heading into his senior season, Horn now holds a reported 38 offers from some of the best programs in the country including Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi St, Missouri, LSU, Louisville, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Rutgers and plenty of others.

The visit will be Horn’s first time at Ohio State, giving the coaching staff an opportunity to show him everything the University has to offer. There are also plenty of former Buckeyes scheduled to be in attendance for the game, giving Horn a chance to speak directly with some of the DBs Ohio State has sent to the NFL.

While the 6-foot, 174-pounder has yet to announce a list of top schools, if all goes well in a couple weeks, the Buckeyes will surely be a contender.

Top Buckeye target receives prestigious honor

Another CB target for Ohio State in 2018 proved why he is viewed as one of the best at his position. Anthony Cook (Houston, TX / Lamar) announced that he had committed to the U.S. Army All-American bowl, a camp that hosts the top high school talents year in and year out.

Cook is currently seen as the No. 2 CB in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and is the No. 9 overall recruit in next year’s class.

The Buckeyes are just one of 35 teams that have offered the five-star talent and are seen viewed as a favorite to land a commitment from him. Currently, the 247Sports Crystal Ball gives Ohio State a 20-percent chance, with only LSU and Texas given better chances at 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

While he has yet to visit Ohio State, Greg Powers of Scout.com spoke with Cook last month and he said that he’s “gotta get up to Ohio State.” Expect the Buckeyes to do their best to make sure this visit happens at the very least.