That sound you heard Sunday night wasn't from fireworks in your neighborhood.
It was a loud #BOOM that came from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center when five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott committed to the Buckeyes, an announcement that came as a surprise to everyone across the recruiting landscape.
Not only because of where he committed, but also when he made the announcement. Given the timing, it was the type of momentum that could carry Ohio State's defensive coaching staff to bring in one of its best classes on that side of the ball in quite some time when all is said and done. That also means the Buckeyes – who currently have the second-ranked class behind Georgia – could also end up with the No. 1 class in 2024.
The 6-foot-4, 310-pound prospect is the seventh five-star defensive lineman Larry Johnson has gotten to commit to Ohio State since he arrived in Columbus in 2014, joining Jack Sawyer (2021), J.T. Tuimoloau (2021), Zach Harrison (2019), Taron Vincent (2018), Chase Young (2017) and Nick Bosa (2016). With a 247Sports' composite rating of .9939, Scott has the 19th-best rating for an OSU commit since 2000, when recruiting rankings first debuted, and is the Buckeyes' highest-rated defensive tackle commit and the sixth-best among defensive linemen in the modern recruiting era.
| Player (Class) | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1. DE J.T. Tuimoloau (2021) | .9989 |
| 2. DE Jack Sawyer (2021) | .9980 |
| 3. DE Noah Spence (2012) | .9974 |
| 4. DE Nick Bosa (2016) | .9965 |
| 5. DE Chase Young (2017) | .9957 |
| 6. DT Justin Scott (2024) | .9939 |
With only five other OSU defensive line commits above him, we take a look at how the other five players performed during their respective OSU careers:
JT Tuimoloau (2021-Present)
Heading into his third season as a Buckeye, the defensive end has shown flashes of brilliance in the first two years of his Ohio State career and, now entering his second year in Jim Knowles' defense, could be poised for a breakout season most expected from the former five-star prospect when he signed with OSU.
In 26 games (12 starts) through his sophomore season, Tuimoloau has totaled 45 tackles (15 for loss), six sacks, one forced fumble, seven passes defended, two interceptions and one touchdown (a pick-six). The best game of his career to date came at Penn State last season, when the 6-foot-4, 271-pound defensive end had six tackles (three for loss), two sacks, one forced fumble, three passes defended and two interceptions, including a pick-six.
Jack Sawyer (2021-Present)
Like Tuimoloau, Sawyer is entering his third year at OSU. In his first two seasons, the Pickerington North product has accumulated 37 tackles (9.5 for loss), 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two passes defended in 25 games (three starts). He led Ohio State with 4.5 sacks in 2022 tied with Michael Hall Jr.
After playing the Jack position last season, a position that didn’t allow Sawyer to play to his biggest strengths as a pass rusher, Jim Knowles and Larry Johnson have moved Sawyer to exclusively defensive end this offseason. This move could unlock a bigger (and better) season for the 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive lineman this fall.
Noah Spence (2012-13)
Spence had 62 tackles (15 for loss), 8.5 sacks, three passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery during his two years in Columbus, including a team-leading 14 tackles for loss as a sophomore in 2013.
He transferred to Eastern Kentucky following just two years as a Buckeye and was eventually selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Nick Bosa (2016-18)
Bosa was named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned first-team All-American honors in 2017.
In three seasons at OSU, Bosa notched 77 tackles (29 for loss), 17.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 30 games. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the second-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Chase Young (2017-19)
Young made a living in opponents' backfields during his three seasons at OSU. In 36 games (23 starts) at Ohio State, he had 99 tackles (42.5 for loss), 30.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and eight passes defended. His 16.5 sacks were a school record and led the nation in 2019.
A unanimous All-American and winner of six individual awards in 2019, Young became just the ninth defensive player to be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy since 1982.
The defensive end was selected with the second-overall pick by the Washington Redskins in the 2020 NFL Draft.
While Scott is a defensive tackle compared to the five defensive ends listed above, if he can wreak havoc in opposing backfields and be a nightmare for opponents throughout his Ohio State career much like many of these players were (and have been), the newest Buckeye commit can live up to his rating.
Only time will tell, but Scott's commitment is huge and could be one that Johnson and the Buckeyes reap the benefits of for years to come.
