4-star DT Tyler Friday signs with Ohio State on National Signing Day

Ohio State continued to add star power to their 2018 recruiting class, with the official addition of defensive tackle Tyler Friday. Just weeks after giving his verbal pledge to the Buckeyes, Friday put pen to paper and sent in his National Letter of Intent during the traditional February signing day.

The four-star DT out of New Jersey is among the top 100 recruits from this year’s class (No. 93), ranking No. 6 among all defensive tackles and No. 4 at any position from the Garden State.

Holding offers from 20 schools, Friday only took three visits before ultimately choosing Ohio State, over the likes of Georgia, Michigan, Penn State and other top-tier programs. Despite being heavily recruited by SEC-rival Alabama, even through Tuesday, Friday was firm in his commitment to Urban Meyer and his staff, and will now head to Columbus.

Even though he’s listed as a defensive tackle, he’ll probably get his first chance at a spot in the depth chart at defensive end — and he’ll definitely have a shot to earn playing time as a true freshman. With Friday, and four-star Tyreke Smith, officially part of Ohio State’s 2018 class, replacing talent leaving for the NFL isn’t quite as concerning.

Scouting Report

Friday is unique, because he really doesn’t have a true position. He played on the offensive line as a sophomore, and spent the past two years on the defensive line, both at tackle and at end. Ohio State is recruiting him as a 5-tech defensive end, a position he should excel in, thanks to his impressive size (6-foot-3, 263 pounds), versatility, and athleticism.

He’s an outstanding pass-rusher, and should fit right in with Ohio State’s infamous rushmen package. The main thing he needs to improve in his game is cleaning up his technique, which comes with experience and coaching, both of which he’ll have plenty of in Columbus.

His play-style is fairly similar to former Buckeye defensive end Jalyn Holmes, and if Friday can have a similar career to Homes (a future millionaire), Buckeye fans should be very pleased.

—Patrick Mayhorn

Highlights