Heat Check: Updating the 2018 Recruiting Board Following Sunday's Five-Star Pledge and Previewing a Busy April

A lot has transpired since we introduced our inaugural board for the 2018 recruiting class. The biggest news was certainly Monday's commitment from five-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent. The nation's top interior lineman was previously No. 2 on our list, and it's been said before, but a case probably could have been made for the top spot. 

Several of Ohio State's top targets have already ventured across the country for campus visits and the the numerous camps that are held throughout the spring. One of the most important targets of the Meyer Era listed a new leader after checking out the defending national champs, and that certainly has some Buckeye fans on edge. But is there really cause for concern?

Our updated board features several familiar names and a fresh pair of five-stars; one of whom is expected to be back in Columbus this weekend.

*Last month's version can be found HERE.

Fairfield offensive tackle Jackson Carman hangs onto the top spot, and he'll continue to do so even if he were to do something crazy and commit to his new favorite – the Clemson Tigers. 

If you're one of the people getting worked up over this, then you may want to take a deep breath and perhaps a little nap or something to calm the nerves. Dabo Swinney is a hell of a coach and right now he's right up there with Urban Meyer and Nick Saban when it comes to drawing the country's top talent to his program. Clemson clearly made a huge move when the five-star was in town last month, and they probably really do lead for the time being. 

Still, Carman has been to Columbus countless times and he'll surely be back throughout the spring and summer. He doesn't seem to have a decision timeline at the moment, and none of the experts are buying the Clemson talk either. His crystal ball is still 100% in favor of the Buckeyes, just as it should be.

Earlier this week, Meyer wasn't shy in his praise of the current group of tight ends, identifying them as the most improved position on the team. This development of guys like Jake Hausmann and Luke Farrell should go a long way in determining the need for the class of 2018. Regardless, Jeremy Ruckert remains the guy that the staff is focusing on.

Notre Dame can always be a concern when it comes to recruiting tight ends, but this one continues to look like an Ohio State vs. Michigan battle, with the Buckeyes still having the edge. He checked out South Bend and Ann Arbor in March and is expected to make a trip back to Columbus before announcing a decision this summer.

Had an amazing visit all day today in Ann Arbor. Thank you Michigan!! #GoBlue
(No interviews) pic.twitter.com/dCbsRsmVXn

— Jeremy Ruckert (@Jeremy_Ruckert1) March 26, 2017

Wide receiver and linebacker recruiting are two of the more intriguing position groups right now as Ohio State may is likely still trying to narrow down its top targets.

Saint Louis wideout Kamryn Babb is absolutely a take for the staff and looks like the top wide receiver on the board. The Buckeyes sit in a great spot, but recent visits to Michigan and Notre Dame make it that much more important to get the country's No. 8 wideout back in Columbus this spring. Behind Babb, it's anyone's guess as to what the pecking order looks like at the moment.

Dallas Gant checks in at No. 4 on our board and the state's top linebacker dropped some big news earlier this week when he listed his top-five schools and announced a May 16th commitment date. He too has been to Notre Dame and Michigan recently, and they appear to be the stiffest competition. Ohio State and Michigan's spring games both fall on April 15th, so it will be interesting to monitor the Toledo native's whereabouts. 

Some people and some websites currently have Gant leaning toward siding with the Fighting Irish. I am not one of those people. This is not one of those websites. 

Five-star inside linebacker Teradja Mitchell surfaces on our list for the first time, and the country's No. 2 player at the position is all set to check out Ohio State this weekend. He recently identified Ohio State, Florida State, and Clemson as schools that are standing out. The 6-foot-2, 232-pounder was in town for the Michigan game and this weekend's visit is of the utmost important if the Buckeyes want to put a dent in the presumed Seminole lead.

Can't wait to be in Columbus this weekend

— Teradja Mitchell (@WhosThatNumber7) April 5, 2017

Defensive ends Tyreke Smith and Micah Parsons hold steady in the middle portion of our list, and it could be a fight to the finish with the Nittany Lions for two of the country's premier edge rushers.

We've all probably heard about the Penn State commit naming his dog "Brutus" and the subsequent consternation amongst the PSU fanbase. Still, there's a lot of work to be done even though Larry Johnson has the Buckeyes in a great spot to potentially flip the five-star. Schools like Clemson, Georgia, and Alabama remain in the mix for the nation's No. 3 prospect.

As for the Cleveland native, Ohio State is still the likely frontrunner, but it wouldn't be wise to rule out the Nittany Lions. Smith has only resided in Ohio for about three years after making the move from California, so the deep ties to the Buckeye State really aren't there like they are for many of the other Ohio prospects.

The four-star has visited Columbus, Ann Arbor, and Happy Valley recently and is looking to return to Ohio State this spring. He has yet to release an official list of top schools and doesn't appear to be close to making a decision. At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, the state's top defensive end is a player who could potentially be used all over the defensive line.

Jaiden Woodbey is already in the fold at safety, and we look for Greg Schiano to bring in another four or five defensive backs for the 2018 class. IMG Academy's Houston Griffith recently took a bit of a Midwest tour, checking out Ohio State, Penn State, and Notre Dame. The Buckeyes and Irish continue to look like the frontrunners for the 6-foot-1, 192-pound corner who can likely play anywhere in the secondary. 

Five-star cornerback Anthony Cook makes his debut as the Buckeyes are battling LSU, Texas, and Clemson for the country's No. 2 corner. Ohio State's success in the Lone Star State has been well documented, and Cook already has a relationship with Jeffrey Okudah. There's a long way to go here as the Texan is in no hurry to make a decision. 

Two-way Brooklyn lineman Matthew Jones is fresh off a weekend visit to Columbus – his fifth thus far – and the Buckeyes still appear to be the team to beat for the 6-foot-4, 305-pounder. Jones could play a number of different positions in the trenches, but he's being recruited primarily as an offensive lineman right now. Clemson and Penn State are the main competition as Ohio State looks to keep the Erasmus Hall pipeline flowing.

With Jaelen Gill likely filling more of an all-purpose role, Tony Alford will look to bring in another running back to complement Brian Snead. Tavion Thomas continues to be the most likely option and the bruising 6-foot-2, 225-pounder recently received his fourth star in the composite rankings after garnering offers from just about every powerhouse program in America. 

Thomas has already visited twice since receiving his Buckeye offer, and while his close friend Joseph Scates does look to be a factor in his recruitment, we've got the Dayton Dunbar star heading to Columbus regardless of what transpires with his teammate.

He should be the perfect piece to complete the backfield puzzle.

It was mentioned last month but is probably worth repeating: It is still way early in the process, so there are a number of future Ohio State signees that aren't on our list of eleven. Linebackers Christopher Oats and Michael Harris are both thought to be near-locks, but linebacker recruiting is a bit of a mystery right now behind the aforementioned Gant and Mitchell.

Zamir White is leaning toward Georgia but the five-star tailback is set to return to Columbus next weekend. Four-star wideout Jahan Dotson was in town last weekend and it looks like he's narrowed things down to Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. The country's No. 12 receiver could make a decision before the summer.

All of these – plus a number of others – are names to watch throughout the spring and summer as the staff's board and list of priorities hopefully becomes a bit more clear to those of us following from the comfort of our own homes.

Pertinent reminder: The April 15th spring game should be quite the spectacle, and next week we'll surely have a preview of what to expect on the recruiting front.

Random reminder: Alvin Mack's son will be arriving this summer to provide some added depth and attitude to the offensive line.