Ohio State signed two definite linebackers in the 2016 class (Tuf Borland and Keandre Jones) and though they're currently sitting on zero pure linebackers in 2017, they do have two different players that could line up there in the future in Isaiah Pryor and Brendon White.
While the talented duo are both regarded as defensive backs currently, their unique blend of size and speed make each of them a realistic option at linebacker, if their bodies grow into what most analysts expect them to.
Who else could end up signing with Ohio State next February at linebacker? If you count both Pryor and White as linebackers, the numbers get very tight at the position, with likely only one more player joining the duo. Overall, we're moving forward with the thought that three linebackers will sign with the Buckeyes next year, we just don't know what percentage of those are already in the class.
Let's take a look at a few potential names to watch for.
ANTJUAN SIMMONS • ANN ARBOR (PIONEER) • COMPOSITE RANKINGS: NO. 368 • HIGHLIGHTS
One of the country's hottest prospects so far in 2016, Ann Arbor's Antjuan Simmons is a 6-foot-1, 210-pounder who lines up at running back and linebacker for Pioneer but projects mostly at linebacker in college. He's got 26 scholarship offers, including one from the Buckeyes, and a few weeks ago named a "Top 11" schools which included Ohio State but did not include Michigan, though it's still likely that the Wolverines end up in the mix for his signature until the end.
Simmons' game is very similar to that of current Buckeye Jerome Baker, making him an attractive option because of an ability to impact the roster on special teams as a freshman. He's big, he's fast and he's versatile and that's what makes him one of Kerry Coombs' top targets for 2017.
SANTINO MARCHIOL • CHERRY CREEK, CO (IMG ACADEMY) • COMPOSITE RANKING: NO. 243 • HIGHLIGHTS
If we wrote this story six months ago, Santino Marchiol would likely have been the first and foremost name on this list. Marchiol looks the part at 6-foot-2 and 225-pounds and he made the move to impress Ohio State's staff by making two separate visits to Columbus last year. He's a close friend of Buckeyes' commitment Jake Moretti, though their friendship may play less of a role now that the former Cherry Creek standout has transferred to the IMG Academy in Florida.
Last week, Marchiol noted that the Buckeyes have not been in contact as much as they used to be, so there's at least some reason to suspect that–at least right now–there are other options higher on the board. The country's 20th-ranked linebacker, Marchiol has added a number of major offers since his move to Florida, including LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Tennessee and others.
ANTHONY HINES • PLANO, TX (EAST) • COMPOSITE RANKING: NO. 88 • HIGHLIGHTS
There may not be a single player in the country, regardless of position, that has more scholarship offers than Plano's Anthony Hines. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder lists 80 offers on his 247Sports.com profile, an astounding number even if it's half accurate. Among those who've offered: Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Michigan State, Baylor, Georgia and you know, pretty much everyone.
Tim Beck has been active in Texas for years and his connections in Plano have the Buckeyes in the door, but a visit to Columbus for Hines this summer is a must if Ohio State is to have any chance to land the four-star.
With the likely departure of Raekwon McMillian to the NFL following next season, Hines is a player that would fit in nicely for the Buckeyes at the middle linebacker position.
BARON BROWNING • KENNEDALE, TX (KENNEDALE) • COMPOSITE RANKING: NO. 23 • HIGHLIGHTS
A former Baylor commitment, five-star linebacker Baron Browning reopened his recruitment just about two weeks ago and the Buckeyes are hoping that gives them the chance to get back into the game for this game-changing talent.
Aside from Ohio State, Browning's recruitment is likely to be a very national one. His brother Barry played for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and the Wolverines will certainly be involved as he starts setting up visits to determine what is the best fit for his future. He's making a big visit to Texas this weekend where he'll no doubt be hosted by former five-star and Texas native Malik Jefferson, who will work to sell him on the idea of staying home.
At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Browning is physically ready for college and at the linebacker position, oftentimes that is half the battle.
JORDAN ANTHONY • OLNEY, MD (IMG ACADEMY) • COMPOSITE RANKING: NO. 136 • HIGHLIGHTS
One of the first invitees to 2016's The Opening, Jordan Anthony is another IMG star that is emerging nationally as a name to watch.
Similar is size and style to Antjuan Simmons, Anthony is a bit shorter but he arrives quickly and with bad intentions and has proven himself to be an effective option in pass coverage as well.
Originally from Maryland, Anthony is interested in a number of the East Coast's premier programs, including Penn State, Clemson and others. Larry Johnson's reputation in Maryland combined with Luke Fickell's work on Keandre Jones in 2016 may pay dividends down the road for the Buckeyes.
OTHER NAMES TO CONSIDER
Here are some of the other possible names that could find themselves in the conversation if some of the Buckeyes' more likely prospects go elsewhere.
- DYLAN MOSES • BATON ROUGE (IMG ACADEMY) • RANKING: NO. 2 • HIGHLIGHTS
- DAVID ADAMS • PITTSBURGH (CENTRAL CATHOLIC) • RANKING: NO. 106 • HIGHLIGHTS
- DREW WHITE • FORT LAUDERDALE (ST. THOMAS) • RANKING: NO. 826 • HIGHLIGHTS
- VANDARIUS COWAN • PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL • RANKING: NO. 97 • HIGHLIGHTS
- AYINDE ELEY • OLNEY, MD (GOOD COUNSEL) • RANKING: NO. 468 • HIGHLIGHTS
