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?
Ohio State landed a commitment this evening from one of the most dominant players in the country when Bradenton, Florida, IMG Academy five-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent pledged his services to the Buckeyes following a two-day unofficial visit.
Let's take a look at what Vincent — the No. 14 prospect overall in the Class of 2018 — brings to Columbus.
ON THE FIELD
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound Vincent, though not the one-technique defensive tackle glaringly absent from Ohio State's roster, uses his strength and explosiveness to be disruptive in the trenches. He has excellent vision, uses his leverage well and reads plays quickly to stop the run.
Those skills allow Vincent to simply overpower most offensive linemen at the high school level, but he must continue to work on his technique and go-to moves if he wants put pressure on the quarterback in the passing game.
Vincent, who transferred from Baltimore, Maryland, Gilman after his sophomore season, finished his junior campaign with 92 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hurries and five sacks. His efforts helped the Ascenders capture their second-consecutive undefeated season.
IN THE CLASS
Vincent, the son of former NFL cornerback and current executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent, becomes the fifth and highest-rated member of Ohio State's Supreme '18 recruiting class. He joins five-star dual-threat quarterback Emory Jones, five-star safety Jaiden Woodbey and four-star running backs Brian Snead and Jaelen Gill.
With presumed starters Michael Hill and Tracy Sprinkle set to graduate next year, the Buckeyes will lack experience at the defensive tackle position by the time Vincent ends up on campus. If he enrolls early, as most — if not all — prospects who attend IMG do, Vincent could easily see playing time as a true freshman.
Of course he'll have to compete with Robert Landers, Davon Hamilton, Jashon Cornell and former IMG Academy defensive tackle Malik Barrow — each of whom will compete for backup roles this season — as well as incoming freshman Haskell Garrett and Jerron Cage. But, simply put, it'll be hard to keep Vincent off the field.
THE INTANGIBLES
Relationships carry a lot of weight in recruiting, and Vincent's relationship with Larry Johnson goes all the way back to when the defensive line coach recruited his older brother, Troy Jr., to Penn State more than three years ago.
Troy Jr., a cornerback, flipped his commitment from the Nittany Lions just three days after Johnson was hired by Ohio State.
"I've always been around him and kind of grew up with him," Vincent said.
When comparing two very prestigious and successful programs with extremely likable defensive line coaches like Ohio State and Florida State, prospects are sometimes swayed by the honey fried chicken. More often, though, it's relationships that win out.
