Ohio State makes the cut for 4-star DT

In case you weren't already keeping track, today marks only 48 days from Buckeye football kicking off. With fall camp fast approaching, the Buckeyes have to be pinning their ears back to what will most likely be a season of emotion geared toward redemption. Until August 31, however, recruiting will never take a backseat in Columbus and as usual, whether football or basketball, Ohio State never slows down.

Elite DT keeps OSU in it

Probably unfair to say, but up until this year Ohio State has been somewhat known for landing their top pick at every position, but defensive tackle. Pulling an elite player in that position can be pretty difficult especially when they're from the South. However, this 2018 recruiting class has already proven that "thought" wrong when they landed IMG Academy's Taron Vincent, the top defensive tackle in the country. One elite defensive tackle is awesome, but adding a second would be the icing on the cake for Urban Meyer and defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

Yesterday, a step in that direction may have taken place when the second best defensive tackle in the country, Michael Thompson Jr. (St. Louis, MO/Parkway North) trimmed his list to a final five schools he will be considering before making his commitment. A prospect that is considered the best in all of Missouri in 2018 with nearly 25 offers, narrowing his list down to five is pretty detailed.

Making the cut were Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio State. With the leader thought to be the in-state Mizzou Tigers, Ohio State is keeping this race close enough. It’s important to note that one recent recruiting battle between Ohio State and Mizzou went in the Buckeyes’ favor. That prospect? Ezekiel Elliott.

ESPN's newest rankings

Earlier this week, 247sports updated their latest recruiting rankings which moved Ohio State to the No. 2 overall class in the country trailing only Miami, but with five fewer members of the class, the Buckeyes are sure regain their place eventually.

Yesterday, ESPN was next in line to update their recruiting rankings and Ohio State's 2018 class was easily feeling the love. With four current commits in the top 25, six in the top 50, nine in the top 100, and 13 in the top 300, the Buckeyes have proven to each and every recruiting service that they are fully loaded on all fronts of their recruiting efforts. ESPN in fact has Ohio State on top at No. 1 in the country for their current 2018 class.

Brenton Cox, Taron Vincent, Matthew Jones, Emory Jones, Jaelen Gill and Teradja Mitchell were included in the top 50 and with loads of more top prospects such as Jeremy Ruckert, Micah Parsons, and in-state stud Jackson Carman all highly considering Ohio State, the Buckeyes may in fact win the ever-so-popular recruiting national championship finally slaying the Alabama dragon who has won that feat time and time again.

Two for one would be fun

It's been said several times before already, but while 2018 remains the primary focus for Buckeye football recruiting, it's never too early to start looking into the future and to classes like 2019. With the momentum the Ohio State staff is having over the years and currently, it's no surprise that they're taking their positive energy and looking to the next classes and beyond.

Yesterday, in an article with Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts.com, 2019 was the topic of discussion as two Georgia prospects are high on what the Buckeyes have to offer. Teammates Jashawn Sheffield and Jaylin Simpson hail from Frederica Academy in Saint Simons Island, Ga., and have many things in common. One being their genuine interest in Ohio State—but one more than the other.

Defensive back Jaylin Simpson, a four-star, 6-foot, 170-pound stud of an athlete was quoted that the Buckeyes are No. 1 in his mind and lead for his recruitment. Sheffield, a name not new to Buckeye fans, was thought to be an early Ohio State lean, however, now has Clemson at two and Florida State at the top ahead of the Buckeyes. A four-star receiver in the 2019 class, Urban Meyer will surely be in his ear trying to get the Scarlet and Gray at the top of his list when all is said and done. While it's still very early in both of these two teammates' recruitment, one thing remains true regardless, two is better than one and Ohio State would love to keep these two together at the next level.