In the 2015, Ohio State signed five defensive backs in their recruiting class, meaning that in 2016, the Buckeyes can be fairly selective as to whom they recruit aggressively. Because of that, we've seen a number of different names pop up and disappear in this cycle at the position, with new names seemingly showing up every day.
As it stands, the Buckeyes have one commitment from a defensive back – Baltimore's Kareem Felder – in a year where the likely number is four, two corners and if they can find two safeties, then that's what they'd like to bring in.
Let's examine the remaining options understanding that, in reality, we have no idea what position – cornerback or safety – Ohio State sees anyone actually playing, because they prefer players flexible and athletic enough to play either spot.
DAMAR HAMLIN // PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
Perhaps the prospect who's been at the top of the list the longest, Pittsburgh Central Catholic's Damar Hamlin is the country's 11th-ranked cornerback. At 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, Hamlin has ideal size for Chris Ash's secondary and above-average speed and length. Ohio State is up against Penn State, Pittsburgh and West Virginia – a fairly common group of top schools for Western Pa. kids – for Hamlin's services, and Penn State may already be full at the cornerback spot. Hamlin has no timeline for a decision and has been to Ohio State for visits since he camped at Friday Night Lights last July.
WAYNE DAVIS // NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
Two years ago, the Buckeyes tapped Norfolk's Lake Taylor High School in the "Dream '14" when they snagged Jalyn Holmes during a mid-summer visit. This time around, it's defensive back Wayne Davis, who was offered by Ohio State over a year ago, in May of 2014. Davis is a physical cornerback, compact and quick and a big hitter from that position, leading some to think he could end up as a safety in college. Virginia Tech and Virginia are the fiercest competition at this point for the Buckeyes who are hoping to capitalize on their long-standing relationships at Lake Taylor to seal the deal this summer.
JORDAN FULLER // WESTWOOD, NEW JERSEY
Athlete Jordan Fuller has become a high-priority for the Buckeyes in the last few months thanks to the 6-foot-2, 190-pound athlete's versatility. Fuller is another New Jersey prospect, an area the Buckeyes have hit hard recently, led by offensive line coach Ed Warinner's efforts. Fuller has a brother at UCLA, and the Bruins have offered making them a threat; he also holds offers from Alabama, Auburn and a host of others including hometown Rutgers, who is working to keep the Garden State's best close to Piscataway.
ANDREW PRYTS // HERMITAGE, PENNSYLVANIA
A Penn State legacy, Hermitage's Andrew Pryts has made two visits to Ohio State in the last three weekends, including a trip to Columbus with his parents yesterday. A three-star prospect, Pryts' offer list is far more impressive than his positional ranking. He's got prototypical size at 6-foot-1 and 200-pounds and hits like a truck. The Nittany Lions are the favorite, but Wisconsin was the favorite for linebacker Tuf Borland – a Badger legacy – too.
LAVERT HILL // DETROIT, MICHIGAN
A long-shot, but a player talented enough that Ohio State would be silly to quit recruiting, Detroit Martin Luther King's Lavert Hill is a Penn State commitment and has been since January. A surprise commit to the Nittany Lions at the time, Hill has been solid to Penn State since but in 2015, there's no such thing as a sure thing and the Buckeyes, as well as Michigan and Michigan State, continue to pursue the country's 17th-ranked cornerback. Hill's brother, Delano, is a starting safety for the University of Michigan. If Ohio State were able to land Hill's teammate – wide receiver Donnie Corley – it would certainly not hurt their chances at flipping Hill down the line.
PATRICE RENE // ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
A transfer to Virginia from Canada where he hoped to increase his college exposure and face more consistent competition, Patrice Rene has had a Buckeye offer since last June. He's been recruited by Ohio State's Kerry Coombs and continues to be a player the Buckeyes are watching closely. Penn State, Michigan, North Carolina and Rutgers are among the handful of teams actively chasing the 6-foot-1, 180-pound cornerback, ranked 24th nationally at the position.
NIGEL WARRIOR // SUWANEE, GEORGIA
The Buckeyes were the first team to offer Peachtree Ridgel's Nigel Warrior, the country's fourth-ranked safety in the 2016 class. The son of former Tennessee Volunteer and Kansas City Chief Dale Carter, Warrior – along with the aforementioned Pryts – are as close to a pure safety as there is on the Buckeye board at present. Warrior has offers from all the big boys in the south and throughout the US. He's earned and invite to The Opening and is a player, from a high school, that the Buckeyes would love to stay involved with.
JARED MAYDEN // SACHSE, TEXAS
Early in the recruiting process, Sachse's Jared Mayden had Ohio State in his top three schools following a pair of unofficial visits taken last year. Since announcing a top three, Mayden has backed off and expanded his search and right now there's no clear-cut favorite from his near 40 offers. Another player who will participate in the The Opening, Mayden will announce his college choice during Nike's premier event in July. He has not been back to Ohio since November, but he says the Buckeyes are still near the top of his list.
TONY BUTLER // CLEVELAND, OHIO
Lakewood St. Edward defensive back Tony Butler is a Pittsburgh commit who we've talked about fairly often lately. The Buckeyes, and specifically head coach Chris Ash, have visited Butler multiple times to check him out during workouts and track practice, hoping to get a better feel for how he'd fit into their defense. Butler has a number of big offers, including Penn State and Michigan, despite only starting towards the end of his junior season for the Eagles. The Buckeyes had hoped to see Butler in camp in June, but he's recently told 11W he will not camp with the Buckeyes or anywhere else, leaving an offer up to the Buckeyes based on what they've seen.
CHAD CLAY // SUWANEE, GEORGIA
Another star at Peachtree Ridge High School, Chad Clay has recently named the Buckeyes as the leader in his recruitment. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Clay visited Ohio State with his family in early April and has been torn between the Buckeyes and the University of Georgia since. Chris Ash and Kerry Coombs visited Clay this past week and got an up-close-and-personal look at his game during a spring practice. He expects to make a late May decision and the Buckeyes, if they have room, could be the landing spot.
AJ ROSE // GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO
A bit of a sleeper inside of Ohio, Garfield Heights' AJ Rose, who's been committed to Kentucky since the end of February. As it stands, only the Wildcats, Toledo and Bowling Green have offered by Rose is a player that a number of big-time prospects are keeping an eye on as the summer rolls around. If he decides to camp at Ohio State, don't be surprised if the Buckeyes get into the mix. If he doesn't, a late September offer – similar to last year's process with eventual signee Alex Stump – would not be a surprise. What would be a surprise is if Rose gets a Buckeye offer and ends up anywhere else.
