Ohio State currently boasts 2017's No. 1 recruiting class. It's a long way between now and February, and coaches don't have the luxury of focusing on one class at a time. For elite prospects, recruitment for 2018 is well underway for many and in some cases over or not far from ending.
Recruiting service Scout released its first Top 100 players of the 2018 cycle. It's a list without a Buckeye commitment, although that should change within the coming weeks.
Nine Buckeye targets with various interest can be found from No. 5, defensive end Xavier Thomas, to No. 92, offensive tackle Chris Oats.
Here is a full rundown:
| RANK | NAME | SCHOOL (HOMETOWN) | POSITION | STARS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | XAVIER THOMAS | WILSON (FLORENCE, SC) | DE | ★★★★★ |
| 7 | ZAMIR WHITE | SCOTLAND (LAURINBURG, NC) | RB | ★★★★★ |
| 14 | JAIDEN WOODBEY | ST. JOHN BOSCO (BELLFLOWER, CA) | S | ★★★★ |
| 15 | RICKY SLADE | C.D. HILTON (WOODBRIDGE, VA) | RB | ★★★★ |
| 19 | TARON VINCENT | IMG ACADEMY (BRADENTON, FL) | DT | ★★★★ |
| 38 | JACKSON CARMAN | FAIRFIELD (FAIRFIELD, OH) | OT | ★★★★ |
| 66 | EMORY JONES | HEARD COUNTY (FRANKLIN, GA) | QB | ★★★★ |
| 69 | JAELEN GILL | WESTERVILLE SOUTH (WESTERVILLE, OH) | RB | ★★★★ |
| 92 | CHRIS OATS | WINTON WOODS (CINCINNATI, OH) | OLB | ★★★★ |
News and notes on each prospect:
- Xavier Thomas visited Columbus in March, but experts currently crystal ball him to South Carolina or Clemson.
- Zamir White visited mid-June and wants a return trip. Georgia and Clemson currently lead his recruitment.
- Jaiden Woodbey, a USC legacy, attends the same high school as newest 2017 Ohio State commit, five-star guard Wyatt Davis. Ohio State offered him two weeks ago and he named it his leader. He will visit July 21st and attend Friday Night Lights on the 22nd.
- Ohio State is the crystal ball leader for Ricky Slade, with South Carolina and Penn State in the distance.
- Taron Vincent camped in Columbus this summer and is 100% forecasted to Ohio State. He is in the running to be the first commitment of the 2018 class.
- Emory Jones is another commitment who could be 2018's cornerstone. His recruitment is down to Tennessee and Ohio State and is expected to commit any day.
- Jaelen Gill, a running back capable of playing a myriad of positions, is seen as an Ohio State lock.
- Chris Oats visited in April and lists Ohio State as his favorite school and could commit soon.
Two non-charted names to watch:
- St. Louis defensive tackle Trevor Trout, No. 89 over all on the list, visited twice since May and is hoping to earn an Ohio State offer soon.
- Dallas Gant, a linebacker from Toledo's St. John's Jesuit, didn't make the cut but is listed as a four-star prospect. Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Maryland are all a possibility for him.
