One of Ohio State’s top remaining priority defensive end targets in the 2024 class is ready to make a decision.
Four-star Illinois prospect Marquise Lightfoot will announce his commitment at 5 p.m. on Monday, choosing from his final contenders Ohio State, Miami, USC, Georgia, Illinois and Alabama.
BREAKING: 4-star EDGE Marquise Lightfoot will announce his college commitment LIVE on The College Football Recruiting Show
— 247Sports (@247Sports) June 29, 2023
Lightfoot is the No. 128 overall ranked prospect in the 2024 class@MarquiseL01 x #CommitHQ
: July 3 - 5PM ET/4PM CT
: https://t.co/3PVDCbkJ4S pic.twitter.com/w1HKFxXCgN
Entering Monday, Ohio State is in a great position to add its first defensive end commitment in the current class, with Lightfoot taking an official visit to Columbus earlier this month and in March. OSU defensive line coach Larry Johnson has been Lightfoot’s primary recruiter.
“Larry Johnson, I truly believe he’s not just selling me a dream, I have no doubt if I go down there and put in the work, then I’ll no doubt become one of his projects that’s he worked on like Chase Young, Nick Bosa and Joey Bosa,” Lightfoot told Eleven Warriors after visiting OSU in the spring. “He’s very open about how much I’m a priority to him. He’s said he likes how I’m versatile and have a relentless motor, he likes his defensive ends long and big. He also likes I have a little rawness to me, he says it leaves a little room for him to coach and be open about who he wants on his field.”
In 11 games for Kenwood Academy (Chicago, Illinois) in 2022, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Lightfoot racked up 122 total tackles (15 for loss), nine sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, four pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
“My relentless motor to the ball,” Lightfoot said of his strongest on-field attribute. “When you watch my film, you always see me chasing after the ball carrier and making tackles on the other side of the hash. That’s what really stands out when you watch my film.”
Lightfoot is among Ohio State’s top remaining priorities at defensive end along with Eddrick Houston and Dylan Stewart.
Noland earns composite five-star ranking
Following an impressive Elite 11 showing, Ohio State 2024 four-star quarterback commit Air Noland is earning respect nationally. Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Noland is considered a five-star quarterback and is ranked the 34th-best prospect and the fourth quarterback in the 2024 cycle. The only quarterbacks ranked ahead of Noland include Georgia commit Dylan Raiola, Alabama commit Julian Sayin and Florida commit DJ Lagway.
Baker eyeing an August or September commitment date
The Buckeyes could get an answer in a few months whether they’ve done enough to land their top remaining offensive tackle target in the 2024 class.
Per 247Sports, five-star California offensive tackle Brandon Baker is considering making a decision in August or September.
“As for a commitment timeframe, right now, I’m looking at sometime in August or September,” Baker told 247Sports. “I think by then I’ll know what I want to do so that’s a good timeframe for me to lock it in.”
Ohio State is a strong contender for Baker, along with Oregon, Georgia, Texas and Alabama. He took his Ohio State official visit on June 9.
“I loved the culture at Ohio State and have a really good relationship with Justin Frye,” Baker told 247Sports. “That was one of the best visits I’ve taken and I love how they do things there and loved the overall vibe.”
