After signing only seven Ohioans in this year's recruiting class, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said he wanted to put an emphasized focus on in-state prospects in the Class of 2018.
The Buckeyes took a big step toward that goal on Tuesday afternoon when they landed a commitment from Toledo St. John Jesuit four-star linebacker Dallas Gant.
The Gant File
- Class: 2018
- Size: 6-foot-3, 225 pounds
- Pos: LB
- School: St. John's Jesuit (Toledo, OH)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: 5 (OLB)
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Gant is considered the fifth-best outside linebacker and No. 126 prospect overall in the country. He picked Ohio State over finalists Michigan, Michigan State — his "dream" school — Notre Dame and Penn State.
Gant has been a regular in Columbus since former defensive coordinator Luke Fickell offered him a scholarship following a one-day camp last June, attending both wins over Nebraska and Michigan last fall, his own Junior Day in February and the Spring Game last month. Of course Fickell's departure for Cincinnati created uncertainty surrounding Gant's recruitment, but he wasn't too concerned when it came to new linebackers coach Bill Davis.
“Great guy and [he] seems like an outstanding coach," Gant said, adding he wasn't worried about Davis' lack of experience at the college level. "I think all his NFL experience outweighs it."
Gant becomes the 10th member of Ohio State's 2018 recruiting class, joining five-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent, five-star quarterback Emory Jones, four-star offensive tackle Max Wray, four-star defensive end Brenton Cox, four-star cornerback Sevyn Banks, four-star safeties Josh Proctor and Jaiden Woodbey, four-star running back Brian Snead and four-star all-purpose back Jaelen Gill.
MORE: Gant's impact on the Supreme '18.
