Finding the right fit for your college football program isn't just about what happens on the field, but off it as well. Today, Ohio State added a key piece. How will that commitment impact the Buckeyes?
When offensive tackle Jake Moretti flipped to Colorado in November, many wondered if Ohio State would look to bring in another offensive lineman to join Josh Myers and Wyatt Davis in the Class of 2017.
That question was answered earlier today as the Buckeyes secured a pledge from another four-star offensive tackle in Massillon's Thayer Munford.
Let's take a look at what Munford — the 14th-best Ohioan in the Class of 2017 — brings to Columbus.
ON THE FIELD
At 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, has the size and potential to be a cornerstone left tackle. He's constantly improved throughout high school and his ceiling only continues to rise.
Munford was not as highly regarded as some of the other prospects because he transferred from La Salle to Massillon and had to sit out most of his senior seasons as a result. He was able to play in the final four games of the year after a long eligibility battle, but the time away from the field severely hurt his recruitment.
Nevertheless, Munford is a handful for defensive lineman. He's quick off the snap of the ball and knocks defenders off balance fairly easily for someone his size. It's said low man always wins, but even when Munford's not, his overall strength and intensity helps him win one-on-one battles.
Of course, Munford struggled to maintain a good weight in high school. But he's trimmed down to around 320 pounds and with Ohio State's strength and conditioning program, could develop into one of the best in his class.
IN THE CLASS
With numbers a bit tight in the class, questions arose as to whether or not Ohio State would look add another one across the offensive line. With Munford in the fold, however, the Buckeyes once again have a trio of linemen that average 6-foot-5, 312 pounds.
Without an offer from Ohio State, many believed Munford would ultimately choose Pittsburgh or Kentucky over programs such as Alabama, Iowa State, Louisville, Michigan State and Tennessee. But as we have now seen, none of those mattered once Ohio State came calling.
Davis is expected to play guard when he arrives in Columbus this summer. For Myers, it's a bit more complicated. The Miamisburg star is an experienced run-blocker, but has a lot to learn when it comes to pass protection. While most recruiting outlets list him as a tackle, there's a real possibility the early enrollee also ends up at guard.
That may leave Munford as the lone tackle in the 2017 class.
THE INTANGIBLES
Like Cleveland Heights wide receiver Jaylen Harris before him, Munford seemed destined to end up in Columbus, especially when the Buckeyes made him a priority. It was just a matter of the dominoes falling in a certain direction.
The Buckeyes were in pursuit of several other four- and five-star recruits, but the list of possible commits has shrunk considerably in recent weeks. Once that happened and the contact period opened, the staff set out to re-evaluate in-state prospects.
Munford got the first look, as head coach Urban Meyer traveled to Massillon in mid-January to watch him play basketball and conduct an in-home visit with his family. With the hope of adding a couple more Ohioans to their second-ranked recruiting class, it only made sense for the Buckeyes to then offer the top remaining uncommitted player in the state while on an official visit.
