Ohio State just signed what many believe is the best pound-for-pound recruiting class of all time, yet next year's class could be even better.
The Buckeyes are already off to an impressive start with commitments from five-star dual-threat quarterback Emory Jones, five-star safety Jaiden Woodbey and four-star running back Brian Snead, and there's still plenty of room to grow.
While it's impossible to predict the exact number of prospects the Buckeyes will bring in for the current cycle - unforeseen injuries, early departures and inevitable transfers are all important variables - we expect the staff to sign roughly 23-25 players next season.
The next logical step, of course, is to make some way-too-early predictions on what the Class of 2018 will look like next year. Much will change between now and signing day, though, as kids will commit elsewhere and new prospects will be added to the board, so this will certainly be fun to circle back to in 12 months.
That said, here are our predictions for Ohio State's Class of 2018:
QUARTERBACK
ELLIS: Emory Jones
LIND: Emory Jones
Ohio State has its man in Franklin, Georgia, Heard County five-star quarterback Emory Jones, now it's just a matter of hanging on to him.
Jones will take several official visits this fall and rumors of a flip will certainly follow, but he's repeatedly said he's solid in his pledge.
RUNNING BACK
ELLIS: Jaelen Gill and Brian Snead
LIND: Jaelen Gill and Brian Snead
As with any out-of-state prospect, Seffner, Florida, Armwood four-star Brian Snead will be one to watch over the next year. He seemingly committed out of nowhere at Friday Night Lights, and we all know how difficult it is to hold onto a southern prospect for nearly two years.
Snead doesn't look to be wavering in his pledge at all, though, so the Buckeyes will look to pair him with another talented back.
Though more traditional options like Laurinburg, North Carolina, five-star Zamir White have shown interest, Westerville four-star all-purpose back Jaelen Gill is a more likely option.
WIDE RECEIVER
ELLIS: Kamryn Babb and L'Christian Smith
LIND: Kamryn Babb, Joshua Moore and L'Christian Smith
After signing three very tall wideouts in 2017, finding someone in the slot to complement them is especially important this cycle.
St. Louis, Missouri, Christian Brothers College four-star Kamryn Babb would fill that spot nicely, while IMG Academy four-star Joshua Moore would give the Buckeyes another big-time playmaker at the position.
Huber Heights Wayne four-star L'Christian "Blue" Smith isn't certain to play wideout at the next level, though, which may also factor into who the staff signs at tight end.
TIGHT END
ELLIS: Jeremy Ruckert
LIND: Jeremy Ruckert and Mustapha Muhammad
After not signing a tight end in 2017, Ohio State will want to add at least one this cycle.
Lindenhurst, New York, four-star Jeremy Ruckert is the staff's top priority and one of the country's best, but Missouri City, Texas, four-star Mustapha Muhammad has significant interest in playing for the Buckeyes.
Watch for Muhammad to shoot up the rankings this summer, too.
OFFENSIVE LINE
ELLIS: Verdis Brown, Jackson Carman, Jaelyn Duncan, Matthew Jones and Fredrick "Juice" Scruggs
LIND: Verdis Brown, Jackson Carman, Matthew Jones and Jamaree Salyer
With Jamarco Jones and Billy Price entering their final seasons and an overall lack of depth, much focus will be placed upon the offensive line.
Ohio State took three very talented offensive lineman last season, but none of them are considered a cornerstone left tackle. Fairfield five-star Jackson Carman is just that, however.
IMG Academy four-star guard Verdis Brown, who is originally from Chicago, has talked about following in Jones' footsteps, while Atlanta, Georgia, five-star guard Jamaree Salyer is among the staff's top priorities.
DEFENSIVE LINE
ELLIS: Aeneas Hawkins, Xavier Peters, Tyreke Smith, Leonard Taylor and Taron Vincent
LIND: Aeneas Hawkins, Micah Parsons, Xavier Peters, Tyreke Smith, Leonard Taylor and Taron Vincent
The defensive line is one of Ohio State's deepest positions this year, but the Buckeyes will be hit with significant attrition following the season.
Cleveland Heights four-star end Tyreke Smith is still raw, but he's the type of in-state prospect the staff has to hang on to. Penn State five-star commit Micah Parsons, meanwhile, has all the talent in the world, but there are concerns about the crowd he hangs out with. Parsons has visited campus on several occasions, thus speculation about a flip will only continue to follow his recruitment.
IMG Academy five-star tackle Taron Vincent has long considered Ohio State the favorite, so it should simply be a matter of getting him on campus this fall.
LINEBACKER
ELLIS: Dallas Gant, Palaie Gaoteote and Christopher Oats
LIND: Dallas Gant, Adrian Jackson and Christopher Oats
It will be interesting to see how former defensive coordinator Luke Fickell's departure has an effect on Ohio State's linebacker search.
Bill Davis has done an admirable job thus far in filling his shoes, and he's already established solid relationships with Toledo St. John's Jesuit four-star Dallas Gant and Winton Woods four-star Christopher Oats.
The Buckeyes are poised to sign at least one out-of-state linebacker in 2018, but which one? Five-star Palaie Gaoteote would continue the Bishop Gorman pipeline, though Denver, Colorado, four-star Adrian Jackson has not been shy about his love for Ohio State.
DEFENSIVE BACK
ELLIS: Houston Griffith, Xavier Henderson and Jaiden Woodbey
LIND: Houston Griffith and Jaiden Woodbey
Having signed five cornerbacks in 2017, the staff will certainly place less emphasis on the position this cycle. But that doesn't mean the Buckeyes will ignore the position altogether with IMG Academy four-star Houston Griffith out there for the taking.
Woodbey's recruitment, meanwhile, is far from over. He's said he's done with the process, but USC will continue to linger until he faxes in his letter of intent. That's why Ohio State will keep close tabs on and try its best to flip Pickerington Central's Xavier Henderson, a Michigan State commit.
ATHLETE
ELLIS: Iverson Clement
LIND: Iverson Clement
There's no other way of putting it, Mount Holly, New Jersey, Rancocas Valley Regional four-star Iverson Clement is all Buckeye.
He's repeatedly called Ohio State his dream school, it's just a matter of finding the right position for him. Clement would likely play H-Back in Columbus.
