Lots of recruiting dominoes are set to fall in July.
The Buckeyes already started the month off with one of their most crucial commitments of the 2024 cycle when Justin Scott committed to Ohio State on Sunday. But more could be on the way for head coach Ryan Day and his staff.
On Monday, four Ohio State targets set commitment dates, including four-star linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, four-star cornerback Zabien Brown, four-star safety Brandon Jacob and four-star defensive tackle D'antre Robinson.
We'll break down each prospect below.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
The Buckeyes' top remaining linebacker target will choose from Ohio State, USC and Notre Dame on July 23.
Man its been a journey. Ill be Announcing my Commitment July 23rd pic.twitter.com/0VT7C0drlH
— Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (@AsaViliamu) July 3, 2023
Viliamu-Asa took an official visit to Ohio State on June 23 and received a full-court press from Jim Knowles, Ryan Day and James Laurinaitis.
“It was great, I think from Friday to Sunday, we had a great time,” Viliamu-Asa told Eleven Warriors. “I learned a lot about Ohio State and that there’s an opportunity of a lifetime that I have to attend Ohio State and be a part of something special.”
Viliamu-Asa's player host was J.T. Tuimoloau, who offered the California prospect and his family some perspective on what it was like for him to come to Columbus.
“I talked with him and got his perspective on leaving the West Coast and being far from home,” Viliamu-Asa said. “It was very informative, and my parents got a good opportunity to talk with his dad and spend time with each other and get their questions answered from a parent that has a kid there right now.”
There isn't a clear favorite nationally for Viliamu-Asa at the moment, but there's been cautious optimism around Ohio State since the official visit. Viliamu-Asa was the first recruit the Buckeyes offered in the 2024 cycle, so his potential commitment to Ohio State seems all the more fitting.
Zabien Brown
Brown's commitment will be the soonest of the four, as the California cornerback is set to announce his decision on Sunday.
July 9th https://t.co/gH9FqYTXYh
— Zabien Brown (@zabien_brown) July 3, 2023
Brown visited Ohio State twice in the spring, then took an official visit to Columbus on June 16. He took an official visit to his other two finalists as well, USC on June 2 and Alabama on June 24. Ohio State is likely trailing both USC and Alabama heading into Brown's decision day – with Alabama the perceived favorite – but the Buckeyes will know for sure in less than a week.
Brandon Jacob
Florida safety Brandon Jacob announced he will commit on July 20 and choose from a final five of Ohio State, Texas A&M, Miami, UCF and Maryland.
Ill be announcing my commitment July 20th @Evans High School @EHSTrojanFTBL
— Brandon Jacob 4 DB (@Thereallkingbj_) July 3, 2023
Any media that plans on attending please let me know in advance!! pic.twitter.com/Gfvwk7jQw5
Over the summer, Jacob took official visits to Texas A&M, UCF and Maryland, but while he did not make an official visit to Columbus, he did take an unofficial visit to Ohio State in early June. The Buckeyes have one safety commit in Jaylen McClain and are aggressively pursuing five-star Georgia prospect KJ Bolden, who will commit on Aug. 5.
D'antre Robinson
Florida defensive tackle D'antre Robinson set a commitment date for July 21 and has a final 10 of Ohio State, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas A&M, LSU, Colorado, Maryland and Texas.
I will be announcing my commitment july21 any media that would like to be in attendance please hit me via DM
— Dantre Robinson (@FleezyT12) July 3, 2023
Robinson took an unofficial visit to Ohio State in June and scheduled an official visit for October, but that will likely no longer happen if his commitment is to someone other than the Buckeyes.
Texas is the likely favorite in Robinson's recruitment, but Ohio State still could have a massive interior defensive line haul even if he doesn't pick the Buckeyes. On Sunday, Ohio State landed the commitment of five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott Sunday and is still in pursuit of four-star prospects Jayden Jackson and Arkansas commit Charleston Collins.
Johnson-Rubell, Rodriguez and Nichols commit elsewhere
Over the past few days, several targets with an Ohio State offer have opted to take their college careers elsewhere.
Saturday, four-star Florida safety Jordon Johnson-Rubell committed to Texas, while Ohio cornerback Terhyon Nichols committed to Kentucky on Sunday and Florida linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez gave his verbal to Missouri on Monday.
Rodriguez and Johnson-Rubell both took official visits to Ohio State in June, but Nichols never made a trip to Columbus that month. Ohio State continues to pursue high-end defensive targets, though, as it remains in heavy pursuit of Eddrick Houston, KJ Bolden, Aaron Scott, Kobe Black, Dylan Stewart, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and more.
