With the 2021 class filling up, it's almost time for some 2022 booms.
Ohio State landed its first commitment in the 2021 last February when Jack Sawyer committed to the Buckeyes on Super Bowl Sunday. Then Ohio State added to its future at the quarterback position with Kyle McCord's commitment last April, which marked its second commitment in the 2021 class. Add in the couple summer commitments, a handful of winter BOOMS, then factor in the recent four commitment in a three-day flurry, and you'll notice how quickly Ohio State's 2021 class has filled up.
With that class now taking form, it's time to set our sights on 2022. And considering how early and quickly Ohio State started to fill their recent classes, it's probably a good time to take a look at the players who could be on commitment watch in the upcoming class.
Any day now
Tegra Tshabola, Offensive Tackle
Tegra Tshabola was the first Ohioan the Buckeyes offered in the 2022 class and since the moment that he was offered he has been viewed as an Ohio State lock.
He is a 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive tackle out of Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio. For his size, Tshabola possesses great athleticism and footwork with help from his basketball background. With that rare size and athletic profile, he was a no-brainer to be the first Buckeye state sophomore for Ohio State to offer.
As for Tshabola's recruitment, he picked up a handful of power five offers this winter from the likes of LSU, USC, and Florida, However, Ohio State was the first school to offer him and he has been to Columbus for numerous visits. Add in the fact that Ohio State is his dream school and home-state school. Given all of that, it is pretty clear to see why Tshabola is a lock to the Buckeyes. Just as we stated above, Tshabola could happen any day now but it is definitely on its way.
Gabe Powers, Outside Linebacker
Just about all the factors we mention for Tshabola being Ohio State's first commitment carry over in making the case for Powers. Recently ranked as the top Ohioian in the 2022 class by 247Sports, Powers stands out 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds with the ability to play many spots on the defense.
Ranked as an outside linebacker, Powers has also shown the ability to play middle linebacker or rush off the edge making him very versatile. Similar to Tshabola, Powers is a multi-sport athlete that also puts his length and athleticism on display on the hardwood. He joins Tshabola as the second of two Buckeye state sophomores that have received an Ohio State offer.
The Buckeyes were Powers's fourth offer when they offered last November joining the likes of Colorado, Florida State, and Michigan. Since that Ohio State offer, schools such as Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Penn State have thrown their hat into the race for Powers' talents.
Nonetheless, Powers grew up less than an hour from Columbus and dreamed of wearing a Buckeye jersey. Those key factors coupled with an early offer and lots of recruiting by Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington make Powers a likely early Ohio State commitment.
Dark Horse
A Quarterback
Okay, yes this seems very vague on the surface but allow me to explain.
Under Ryan Day, both as the quarterbacks' coach and head coach, the Buckeyes have liked to lock up their signal-caller early in a recruiting cycle. With Day's quarterback development pedigree, new quarterback coach Corey Dennis' recruiting chops, and Ohio State's offense the Buckeyes should have no issue recruiting the position so they must be selective.
Just as they did in the 2021 cycle, Ohio State looked at all options, decided who they wanted, and then sealed the deal with Kyle McCord. And while the temporary dead period will likely throw a wrench into this plan, don't be surprised to see the Buckeyes identify their guy in 2022 soon.
Obviously, their top target is five-star Quinn Ewers out of Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas but he appears to be an Oklahoma lean at the moment. But if Ohio State wants Ewers bad enough they will go all out for him till he shuts it down.
Ohio State has offered two other 2022 quarterbacks to this point, four-star Maalik Murphy from California and three-star Steve Angeli out of New Jersey both of which the Buckeyes are high on.
The top midwest targets include Brady Allen from Indiana, who Corey Dennis coached directly at Ohio State's seven on seven camp last summer, and Ohioans Chase Harrison out of Centerville, Ohio and Drew Allar out of Medina, Ohio, both of whom have heard from Ohio State this offseason.
