Standout 2022 DL lists Ohio State among early leaders

While spending time out on the road getting your Christmas shopping finished up over the weekend you probably missed out on some of the latest recruiting news surrounding your Ohio State Buckeyes. Don’t worry! Land-Grant Holy Land is here to help get you caught back up with things.

Buckeyes among early leaders for 2022 DL

To kickoff the weekend on a high note for the Buckeyes, Ryan Day, Larry Johnson and the Ohio State football staff learned they’re still in the mix for a five-star class of 2022 defensive end. Releasing a Top 10 of OSU, Florida, Miami, Georgia, LSU, Clemson, Alabama, Texas A&M, Penn State, and Arizona State on Friday, Monsignor Pace (FL) junior Shemar Stewart is now one step closer to announcing his commitment after cutting his college list down from well over 25 scholarship offers from programs across the country.

Stewart, who picked up his offer from OSU back in April, is considered the No. 1 strong-side defensive end, and fifth overall prospect in the class of 2022, per the 247Sports Composite. Pegged as a potential first round NFL Draft pick in the coming years, recruiting analyst Barton Simmons had the following to say on what kind of skillset the 6-foot-5, 236-pounder could soon bring to a college defense.

“Long, lean, muscular defensive lineman with no bad weight, an imposing frame, long arms and thick lower half. Body type has the potential to continue to bulk up as a jumbo edge rusher or even kick inside long term given early stage of his development. Plays to his size on film. Brutish pass rusher that has an effective long-arm, can walk offensive tackles back to the quarterback and can win with speed. Has top end combine athleticism. Controls and sheds blocks effectively against the run. Has downfield speed in pursuit. Very limited nuance or finesse in his pass rush. Has some stiffness in space. Plays too high right now but can get away with it. Impact Power Five starter with the potential to be a first round NFL Draft pick and a candidate to be a future No. 1 overall pick but needs continued refinement over the next two years to approach that kind of ceiling.”

Shemar Stewart wasn’t the only highly sought after class of 2022 prospect to list Ohio State towards the top for their services over the last couple of days. Also taking to his Twitter to drop his leaders, four-star Denton Ryan (TX) defensive tackle Keithian “Big Bear” Alexander is taking a harder look at 16 programs.

Missing quite a bit of varsity playing during his high school career due to transfer rules and yet still earning nearly 30 scholarships throughout the process, the massive 6-foot-3, 325-pound Alexander is still considering calling either Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Miami, LSU, Texas A&M, Texas, Oregon, USC, TCU, Michigan, Auburn, Tennessee, Minnesota, Florida, or Oklahoma his college home when it’s all said and done.

Ryan Day and crew are already blessed with the top-rated 2022 class. Yet to lock up a verbal pledge from a soon-to-be-senior defensive lineman, could Stewart or Alexander end up calling Columbus their future stomping grounds? Only time will tell. Stick with Land-Grant Holy Land for the latest.

Quick Hits

• Ohio State made one more prospect’s top schools list before the weekend came to a close, as four-star RB/athlete Emeka Megwa has the Buckeyes in his Top 12. Megwa is the No. 14 athlete and the No. 255 player overall in the 2022 class. Ryan Day will look to continue to have his presence felt in the state of Texas as they stay in touch with the Fort Worth native.

• Ohio State also sent out a new offer in the class of 2023 on Sunday to four-star offensive tackle Chase Bisontis. The Don Bosco Prep product is the No. 6 OT and the No. 74 player overall in the early 247Sports rankings for the current crop of sophomores.