Though Ohio State still holds commitments from 17 prospects, a lot has changed in the two months since my last assessment of the 2017 recruiting class.
Four-star linebacker Antjuan Simmons reopened his recruitment and four-star offensive tackle Jake Moretti flipped to Colorado, and the Buckeyes replaced them — more or less — with five-star linebacker Baron Browning and four-star linebacker Pete Werner.
Five-star cornerback Shaun Wade also reaffirmed his pledge on Monday afternoon, putting an end to the months-long speculation he would flip to Alabama.
Ohio State enters college football's dead period with the second-rated recruiting class in the country, holding commitments from 11 of the Top 100 recruits in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Six of them are considered five-star prospects, which is by far the most in the country.
The Buckeyes have an outside shot at landing an unheard-of 10 five-star prospects this cycle, but it seems unlikely with players such as running back Cam Akers trending elsewhere.
Nevertheless, common thinking suggests there are five spots left in the class. If there are no surprises in the coming weeks, I believe Ohio State will add the following players by signing day:
Five-Star Cornerback Jeffrey Okudah
The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder from Grand Prairie, Texas, will announce his decision publicly at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7, 2017, but has reportedly already committed to the Ohio State staff.
The top-rated cornerback and the No. 7 prospect overall in the country narrowed down his list of more than 30 scholarship offers to Florida State, Ohio State and Oklahoma last month.
He official visited all three finalists this season, but notably watched the Buckeyes beat the Sooners in Norman in September. He then made a trip to Columbus for the Nov. 26 game against Michigan alongside good friends Marvin Wilson and the aforementioned Browning.
Five-Star Defensive Tackle Marvin Wilson
The 6-foot-4, 329-pounder from Bellaire, Texas, is considered the top-rated defensive tackle and the No. 3 prospect overall in the Class of 2017.
He listed Ohio State alongside Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA and USC in his Top 10 back in June, and the Buckeyes are almost certain to make the cut when he narrows things down to five at the Under Armour All-American Game on New Year's Day.
Wilson reportedly had a great time during his official visit to Columbus for the 30-27 double-overtime win over Michigan. That coupled with defensive line coach Larry Johnson's in-home visit with Wilson last week has the staff feeling confident with where it stands at the dead period.
Wilson will make his final decision on National Signing Day.
Five-Star Cornerback Darnay Holmes
Ohio State isn't the favorite to land the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Holmes, but seemingly finds itself trailing only UCLA at this juncture. The second-best cornerback and the No. 12 prospect overall attended Friday Night Lights the last two summers and took an official visit for the Michigan game.
Head coach Urban Meyer and co-defensive coordinator Greg Schiano were in Calabasas, California, for an in-home visit last week, and that — plus Holmes calling off his official visit to Michigan this past weekend — is certainly a good sign for the Buckeyes.
Holmes is expected to announce his final decision at the U.S. Army Bowl next month, but I believe his relationship with Meyer, Schiano and defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs will ultimately swing things in Ohio State's favor.
Four-Star Wide Receiver Jaylen Harris
The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder from Cleveland Heights listed Ohio State in his Top 5 alongside Alabama, Michigan State, Penn State and Tennessee back in July, and has repeatedly said the Buckeyes would make room for him in the class if he wants in.
Though Ohio State already has five-stars Trevon Grimes and Tyjon Lindsey in the fold, I don't see the staff turning away the top-rated wideout in the state if a number of other targets choose to play elsewhere.
Four-Star Offensive Tackle Thayer Munford
Ohio State would ideally like to add a third offensive lineman to the class, but Trey Smith's pledge to Tennessee last week put a significant dent in those plans. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Munford doesn't hold an offer from the Buckeyes, but has been on the staff's radar for more than two years.
He was the odd man out when Ohio State locked down Moretti and five-star Josh Myers in 2015, and his eligibility issues during his senior year may have stopped him from getting more attention from schools and recruiting sites.
Munford has been on campus several times this fall even without an offer, so the staff has maintained contact throughout the process. That's why I believe he'll commit the moment an offer is extended, even if that comes close to signing day.
So, an unprecedented nine five-star prospects then?
It would be three more than Urban Meyer signed in his first four recruiting classes combined. It's also three more than Alabama's last two top-rated classes put together, but not unfathomable with the way things are trending with Holmes and Wilson.
Of course, Ohio State also reportedly leads for five-star wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. Though I'll believe it when I see it, how would his pledge on Thursday evening change my prediction?
It all depends whether the staff goes with need or best player available. But with a number of prospects set to make their intentions know sooner rather than later, the path to signing day will only become clearer in the next few weeks.
