2021 Ohio State commits see ratings bump in latest Top247 rankings

The class of 2021 has not yet even begun to play in their senior season of high school football. As a result, the ratings are constantly changing and evolving, as the next group of guys preparing to take the leap to the collegiate level continue to mature and find their identity.

On Wednesday, 247Sports did a major overhaul on the class’ rankings, with a huge impact on a handful of current Ohio State commits as well as some of their biggest targets in the upcoming cycle. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest risers and fallers in what is very much still a fluid early evaluation.

Buckeye QB earns a fifth star

One of the biggest changes involving an Ohio State commit was the rise of quarterback Kyle McCord. Jumping up 37 spots to No. 57 overall in 247Sports’ own rankings, the Pennsylvania native is now a five-star QB in the 247Sports Composite rankings, where he is listed as the No. 4 pro-style QB and the No. 23 overall recruit in the nation. Should that rating stand up over time, McCord would be the the Buckeyes’ first composite five-star QB since Braxton Miller in 2011.

After a worrisome lack of depth behind Justin Fields this past season, Ryan Day has done a phenomenal job at restocking his quarterback room. Ohio State managed to pull in two four-star signal callers in the 2020 class in CJ Stroud (who is a five-star in 247Sports’ own rankings) and Jack Miller. With McCord soon to join the fold, the OSU offense seems to be in pretty good hands moving forward.

While McCord earned a composite five-star rating, another Ohio State commit earned a fifth star in 247Sports’ rankings. Donovan Jackson, an offensive lineman who has showed out in various high school all-star settings, was rated a five-star prospect in the new Top247, jumping up 27 spots to become the No. 8 player in the nation and No. 1 offensive guard.

A handful of other future Buckeyes also saw bumps in their ratings on Wednesday. While defensive end Jack Sawyer remained the highest-ranked OSU commit at No. 3, defensive tackle Mike Hall saw a massive jump as he shot up 404 spots to No. 120. After committing to Ohio State at the beginning of February, Hall, a four-star recruit, is now the No. 8 DT in the nation and No. 3 player in Ohio.

OSU now holds commitments from the top five in-state players in the 247Sports Composite, which still includes Ben Christman despite a 139-spot drop in the Top247, of which he voiced his displeasure on Twitter.

Ohio State targets on the move

While players already committed to the Scarlet and Gray saw their ratings boosted, so too did players the Buckeyes’ coaching staff is still trying to land.

Outside linebacker Demeioun Robinson, who listed Ohio State in his top 13 back in January, moved up 112 spots to become the No. 20 overall recruit in the class, as well as the No. 2 weak-side defensive end. Jordan Hancock, a four-star cornerback and big OSU target, jumped a whopping 211 spots to No. 45 in the nation as the class’ No. 6 CB. Offensive tackle JC Latham, who has at least three Crystal Ball predictions in the Buckeyes’ favor, moved up 53 spots to No. 23, now listed as the No. 5 OT in the nation.

Other notable movements among guys whom Ohio State has an eye on include linebacker Barrett Carter shooting up 147 spots to No. 74, running back Evan Pryor moving up 21 spots to No. 97, and wide receiver Troy Stellato climbing 111 spots to No. 100 overall in the class.

Quick Hits

• Ohio State defensive end target Monkell Goodwine told Eleven Warriors, “Ohio State takes D-linemen to the league and coach Johnson is one of the best coaches in college football. I haven’t been up there yet, but from what I hear from other recruits, it was a great visit.” Goodwine does not yet have a commitment date in mind, but does plan to narrow his list down to a top five in the coming weeks. He also said Ohio State is “definitely booked in my schedule,” as far as taking an official visit is concerned. Goodwine is the No. 7 SDE and No. 107 recruit in the nation in the 247Sports Composite.