One of Ohio State’s top defensive tackle targets in the 2024 class is headed elsewhere.
Four-star Florida prospect Jayden Jackson announced his commitment to Oklahoma on Thursday, choosing the Sooners over his other finalists Texas, Ohio State, Miami and Florida.
Jackson was Oklahoma’s 13th 2024 commitment and the first interior defensive lineman to join the Sooners’ class. The 6-foot-2- 300-pound defensive tackle took his official visit to Columbus on June 9 but ultimately chose to play his college ball elsewhere.
Ohio State may have become less appealing to Jackson after the surprise commitment of five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott earlier this month. Still, considering Scott was their top target at the position, that’s a trade the Buckeyes' coaching staff can certainly live with.
The addition of Tywone Malone via the transfer portal in the offseason gave the Buckeyes more depth at interior defensive line for a few more seasons, so that, paired with the Scott commitment, makes the need for interior talent much less stark than it was when spring football started from the Buckeyes’ perspective.
Still, the Buckeyes would certainly welcome more premier talent at the position if they can get it and would take commitments from the likes of four-star defensive tackle Dominick McKinley, who took an official visit to Ohio State on June 2, or defensive lineman Charleston Collins, who is currently committed to Arkansas but could be a big target of Larry Johnson’s in the future.
Five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston could also be deployed in various spots at the defensive line and is still considered an Ohio State lean heading into his Aug. 22 commitment date, so Johnson and Co. should have options between now and National Signing Day.
Keylen Adams picks Virginia Tech
It was no surprise that four-star Virginia wide receiver Keylen Adams chose another school besides Ohio State when he made his college decision on Thursday. Adams committed to Virginia Tech, who beat out South Carolina to land the 2024 prospect.
great day to be a hokie! @CoachPryVT @Coach_Mines pic.twitter.com/X6OhEPDkP2
— Keylen Brodie Adams (@brodie3x) July 13, 2023
Adams scheduled an official visit to Ohio State for early June but later canceled the trip. The Buckeyes have a few remaining uncommitted targets that are more coveted than Adams remaining on their target board, chief among them Missouri wideout Jeremiah McClellan. OSU would also certainly take a commitment from five-star wide receiver Joshisa Trader, but landing the Florida prospect seems beyond unlikely at this point after he committed to Miami Thursday.
McClellan is set to announce a top-five school list on Sunday, which will almost certainly include the Buckeyes.
Jontae Gilbert commits to playing in All-American Bowl
Ohio State five-star 2025 cornerback commit Jontae Gilbert has earned a prestigious honor.
Fireworks
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) July 11, 2023
DB Jontae Gilbert (@J7ontae) has committed to the 2025 All-American Bowl#AllAmericanBowl pic.twitter.com/0AFMcdgOUr
Gilbert announced his commitment to playing in the annual All-American Bowl game this week, even though he’s about a year and a half out from January of 2025 when the top recruits of his cycle travel to San Antonio to compete in the yearly all-star game. Gilbert, considered the 24th-rated prospect in the 2025 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings, will play in the 25th All-American Bowl game.
Gilbert is one of two Ohio State commits in the 2025 class, the other being quarterback Tavien St. Clair. He recently told Eleven Warriors he plans to visit Columbus in September for the Western Kentucky game and may also attend the Penn State contest on Oct. 21.
