We are three weeks from signing day and Ohio State, with 18 commitments in the fold, are looking to finish strong. Currently the nation's third-ranked recruiting class, the Buckeyes could add anywhere from 5-7 more prospects into the mix between now and Feb. 3.
Who are the most likely players to choose the Scarlet and Gray? Let's take a look.
QUARTERBACK: NEED ONE
A month ago, the Buckeyes didn't know they'd have a need at quarterback but then Tristen Wallace decommitted and it became a major spot of need for Ohio State in 2016.
As Wallace's recruitment re-opened, the Buckeyes set their sights on Maryland commitment Dwayne Haskins Jr. Haskins, a Maryland commit, who made an official visit to Ohio State the weekend of Dec. 11 and has since been the primary target at quarterback—despite a brief dalliance with Kyle Allen—the Texas A&M transfer who opted for Houston.
Ohio State's current roster has J.T. Barrett, Stephen Collier and Joe Burrow at quarterback, so they'd definitely like to add one in 2016 and Haskins is the target. He's talking about an official visit to LSU, probably this weekend, but a decision could come down the line soon.
Prediction: Dwayne Haskins
Next Man Up: Louisville QB commitment Tylin Oden
WIDE RECEIVER: WANT ONE
The names at wide receiver have stayed the same for months, but with Donnie Corley selecting Michigan State on Saturday at the US Army All-American Bowl, the list has been narrowed down a bit further.
Right now, the names that continue to get tossed around as the most likely options are Binjimen Victor and Sam Bruce, a pair of South Florida stars that made official visits to Ohio State in October. Bruce, committed to Miami, will take a pair of officials (South Carolina, Florida) before making a final decision on his future but the Hurricanes' decision to let wide receivers' coach Kevin Beard go has Bruce seriously looking elsewhere. It could be an Ohio State or Miami decision for Bruce come signing day.
While Victor and Bruce are about as different as two players could be, Victor, the 6-foot-4, 175-pounder from Coconut Creek, seems to be expanding his list rather than narrowing down. West Virginia, Florida, Tennessee and Ohio State are all in the mix and some believe that while the Buckeyes have been the perceived leader since the summer, it's the Mountaineers that may be in the best spot as of today.
Maybe the Buckeyes find a way to take both? It could be closer to reality than fantasy at this point as a lot of recent smoke indicates that Bruce may be more comfortable leaving home than previously thought.
Here's something to consider: are the Buckeyes going to have to tell one of those guys "No thanks?" That's a possibility as numbers are tight.
Prediction: Sam Bruce
Next Man Up: Ohio athlete Jonah Morris
DEFENSIVE TACKLE: NEED ONE
Ohio State's biggest need in 2016 may be defensive tackle. The Buckeyes have chased, unsuccessfully, a handful of the nation's best to line up alongside early-enrollee Malik Barrow but, to this point, have come up just short on Antwuan Jackson, who chose Auburn over Ohio State, and are running neck-and-neck for five-star Rashard Lawrence with his hometown LSU Tigers.
If the Buckeyes, as most expect, end up missing on Lawrence, then the chase for another interior defensive lineman will really take on a whole new look. New defensive coach Greg Schiano will continue to take his shot at bringing in Rashan Gary, but that ship seems to have sailed and after Gary it becomes a matter of finding the best available from anywhere and everywhere, including the JUCO ranks, where a player like Jamar King has been getting attention. King has an official visit to Ohio State scheduled for the end of the month and that means they'll know for sure what happens with Rashard Lawrence before then.
There's been a feeling I've had for a while now that Lawrence is much more interested in Ohio State than people are letting on. However, Urban Meyer has never signed a player from Louisiana and, with his official visit to LSU this weekend, the Tigers are going to get the last shot with him. Can Larry Johnson's impact make the impossible happen?
Prediction: Rashard Lawrence (because I'm NUTS)
Next Man Up: Chris Daniels, Jamar King, Jamari Logan
LINEBACKER: NEED ONE
This is one spot where I vacillated between "want" and "need" but, upon further review of the current Ohio State roster, I've settled on needing another linebacker in the 2016 class.
The Buckeyes thought they'd made a splash and believed they'd landed Notre Dame signee Daelin Hayes, but that fell off and they quickly made an offer to Walnut Ridge athlete Malik Harrison, one of the country's most dynamic overall talents, even though he's a bit raw on the gridiron.
Ohio State made overtures towards a pair of California five-stars (Mique Juarez and Caleb Kelly) but right now it appears that Harrison, who is making his official visit with the Buckeyes this weekend, is the likely answer. One potential complication? Harrison could also play wide receiver, so if another linebacker option emerges, maybe Harrison becomes the second addition at wide out.
Don't forget Maryland commit Keandre Jones, who continues to talk with Ohio State and Florida about a potential visit.
Prediction: Malik Harrison
Next Man Up: Keandre Jones
DEFENSIVE BACK: WANT TWO, NEED ONE
Ohio State has three commitments in the defensive backfield in their 2016 class (Kareem Felder, Wayne Davis and Jahsen Wint) and there's no doubt that this coming weekend is huge as they try to finish it out. With two of their highest and longest-standing priorities, Damar Hamlin and Jordan Fuller, making their official visit this weekend, the Buckeyes are hoping that their NFL losses in the secondary, combined with the addition of Greg Schiano, will give them a chance to impress.
Hamlin is likely to choose Pittsburgh, according to those who know, but Fuller, the New Jersey All-American who the Buckeyes once had a big lead for, could be a very welcomed late addition. If Hamlin ends up staying home in Pennsylvania, one player to watch is Kissimmee, Florida's Carlos Becker, who is scheduled to visit Ohio State next weekend. If Becker, a four-star prospect, doesn't commit to Florida State this weekend, an Ohio State run for his services is something to watch for.
Prediction: Jordan Fuller
Next Man Up: Rodjay Burns
So, as of today, that's my best guess for the remaining spots in the Ohio State 2016 recruiting class.
A run of Dwayne Haskins, Sam Bruce, Rashard Lawrence, Malik Harrison and Jordan Fuller wouldn't answer all the questions on the roster for the Buckeyes but it'd certainly be a strong finish.
