It’s only the first week of July and Ohio State’s 2018 recruiting class is already shaping up to be one of the best in program history. The Buckeyes have 14 verbal commitments and the nation’s No. 1-ranked class.
But a closer look at Ohio State’s haul shows us this class — right now — is a little bit defensive heavy. And the Buckeyes could be on the verge of building a monster on the defensive side of the ball with its 2018 group.
Eight of the Buckeyes’ 14 commits are on defense and they’ve hit every position group already. More potential defensive stars will come, too, as Ohio State is not even close to done adding top-flight talent to this group.
What follows is a position-by-position breakdown on defense highlighting who is already in the fold and who the Buckeyes are still targeting to add in the 2018 class.
Defensive Line
Committed: Taron Vincent, Brenton Cox, Andrew Chatfield
Still targeting: Tyreke Smith, Micah Parsons, Jayson Oweh, Nesta Silvera, others
Breakdown: Ohio State is prepared to take a large defensive line haul in 2018 with the departures it will have from Larry Johnson's meeting room following this season. The Buckeyes are already off to a great start in replacing that talent with three commitments up front — two of which are five-star prospects.
Taron Vincent is a five-star defensive tackle and Brenton Cox is a five-star at defensive end and both have the potential to be cornerstones for Ohio State when they arrive on campus. Andrew Chatfield is a four-star hybrid end who seems to have a high ceiling.
The Buckeyes aren't done, though. They are widely considered the leader for four-star defensive end Tyreke Smith and they're also heavily involved with five-star end Micah Parsons and four stars Jayson Oweh and Nesta Silvera.
Expect Ohio State to take at least five defensive linemen in this class and there's still a chance that number could jump to six if it's the right player.
Linebacker
Committed: Teradja Mitchell, Dallas Gant
Still targeting: K’Vaughan Pope, Michael Harris, Solomon Tuliaupupu, others
Breakdown: New Ohio State linebackers coach Billy Davis had quite a month of May on the recruiting trail. As a longtime NFL coach, Davis never recruited before joining Urban Meyer's staff, but it was tough to tell as the Buckeyes landed pledges from a pair of four-star linebackers in Teradja Mitchell and Dallas Gant.
The thought here is Ohio State likely has one spot remaining at linebacker. Chris Worley is a senior and Jerome Baker is likely gone after this season and there is a solid chance for some additional attrition at the position, as well. The top candidate right now appears to be four-star Virginia linebacker K'Vaughan Pope.
A commitment could be coming sooner rather than later for Pope and that would all but end the Buckeyes' pursuit of the position for 2018 though it's widely expected they would chase players like Solomon Tuliaupupu and Palaie Gaoteote until National Signing Day.
Secondary
Committed: Jaiden Woodbey, Josh Proctor, Sevyn Banks
Still targeting: Anthony Cook, Tyson Campbell, Patrick Surtain Jr., Houston Griffith, others
Breakdown: After a monster defensive back haul in 2017, Ohio State isn't expected to take a huge crop in this cycle, but there's a solid chance the Buckeyes bring in five or so more players in the secondary in 2018.
In Jaiden Woodbey and Josh Proctor, Ohio State feels pretty good at safety and likely won't pursue another unless something happens with one of those two. Sevyn Banks was a bit of a surprising commitment when it happened, but right now, Banks' pledge seems solid.
The Buckeyes are undoubtedly chasing top-level prospects from here on out at corner, though, and Anthony Cook and Tyson Campbell seem like the two most realistic options at this point. Patrick Surtain Jr. is more of a longshot and Houston Griffith feels like more of a wait-and-see type deal depending on what happens with Cook and Campbell.
