Last week we looked ahead to some 2017 offensive targets who may end up spending their college days in Columbus. Today we're looking into some candidates on the other side of the ball.
JEFFREY OKUDAH • S • GRAND PRAIRIE, TX • HIGHLIGHTS
The 2017 defensive back haul is shaping up to be absolutely absurd, but the Buckeyes are still looking to add a few more to the secondary. Last week, in a move that came as a surprise to many, five-star safety Jeffrey Okudah listed Ohio State as his leader.
#ESPNJr300 No. 10 @TheJeffOkudah names #OhioState his leader over #Stanford #Noles & #Gigem...going to #TCU game Sat pic.twitter.com/Ca0cmf2B8E
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) October 1, 2015
The 6-foot-1, 194-pounder is a five-star prospect and the nation's No. 1 safety. Baylor and Stanford were thought to be at the top for the Lonestar State's second-ranked player, but he hasn't been shy about his affinity for the Buckeyes; consistently naming them in his top group before listing them alone at the top.
Ohio State currently has three defensive backs on board for 2017. Shaun Wade could end up as more of a safety, but the Buckeyes will have to fight off numerous SEC schools before securing his signature. Marcus Williamson and Isaiah Pryor round out the secondary, but there's a chance Pryor's future could be at linebacker. Brendon White is listed as a safety on some outlets but the general consensus seems to be that he could end up in more of a Darron Lee role.
LAMONT WADE • CB • CLAIRTON, PA • HIGHLIGHTS
For the third year in a row, the Buckeyes are targeting a highly-ranked cornerback from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, and Lamont Wade may be the best of the bunch. Jordan Whitehead spurned the Buckeyes earlier this year and elected to sign with the hometown Panthers. Ohio State is currently battling Pitt, Penn State, and Notre Dame for Damar Hamlin. The Wade sweepstakes looks to be shaping up in a similar fashion.
At this point, the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder seems a little more likely to leave Pennsylvania than some of his in-state counterparts. Wade has visited Columbus three times since March and is planning a return trip for the Oct. 17th showdown with the Nittany Lions. The Buckeyes should expect to be in this one for the long haul. Wade is a composite four-star prospect but Rivals.com has anointed him a five-star and the No. 5-ranked player in the country.
DARNAY HOLMES • CB • CALABASAS, CA • HIGHLIGHTS
The Buckeyes have been linked to one California star – 2017 wideout Keyshawn Johnson Jr. – and since July's Friday Night Lights, things have been heating up a bit with another. Darnay Holmes, a composite five-star and close friend of Keyshawn Jr., has been on campus multiple times dating back to his freshman year of high school. Holmes released his Top 10 in late July; a list that included schools like Ohio State, Alabama, Stanford, Notre Dame and Nebraska.
That Ohio state visit with @DarnayHolmes was a weekend to remember pic.twitter.com/fGKvZSa3dB
— Keyshawn Jr. (@keyshawnnnn) August 4, 2014
Though he's nowhere close to making a decision, the Buckeyes, Cardinal, and Huskers appear to be out in front right now. Keyshawn Sr. played for Mike Riley when he was at USC, so Nebraska is definitely one to watch when it comes to both Keyshawn Jr. and Holmes.
SANTINO MARCHIOL • LB • ENGLEWOOD, CO • HIGHLIGHTS
2017 offensive tackle Jake Moretti surprised many when he pledged to Ohio State back on the Fourth of July. The Moretti commitment may go a long way in helping the Buckeyes land another Colorado standout.
Having already visited several of the nation's premier programs, linebacker Santino Marchiol has been doing his research on the recruiting trail. The Buckeyes extended an offer in June and the 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker took a trip to Columbus shortly thereafter. Moretti and Santino are close friends, so this may be one to watch closely.
There were some rumblings about an early decision, and with all of the visits the junior has already been taking, it wouldn't come as a total shock to see him pull the trigger in the not-so-distant future. Marchiol is looking to get back to Columbus for a game this fall. More importantly, he is planning on bringing his entire family.
Michigan State, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Florida State have also offered.
DARNELL EWELL • DT • NORFOLK, VA • HIGHLIGHTS
The search for defensive tackles will continue into the 2017 class. With four-star Jerron Cage already in the fold, the Buckeyes will look to add at least one more interior defensive lineman.
Ohio State has had recent success at Lake Taylor High School (Norfolk, Virginia). Jalyn Holmes signed with the Buckeyes in 2014 and defensive back Wayne Davis is currently committed for the 2016 class. Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson Sr. will look to keep that pipeline running with 2017 defensive tackle Darnell Ewell.
While Ewell's crystal ball currently reads 100 percent Ohio State, he is a bit tricky to get a read on because he doesn't do a lot of talking. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound tackle was recently in Columbus as he watched the Buckeyes take on Western Michigan. He also was on hand in Blacksburg, checking out Virginia Tech as they fell to Ohio State.
The Buckeyes will look to get Ewell back on campus again this fall; possibly when teammate Wayne Davis heads to town for his official visit.
