Signing Day Central: Ohio State’s 2025 Commits Officially Becomes Buckeyes

By Dan Hope, Garrick Hodge and Andy Anders on December 4, 2024 at 7:12 am
Tavien St. Clair
Tavien St. Clair
136 Comments

National Signing Day has arrived.

As the members of Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class officially become Buckeyes by signing financial aid agreements (since National Letters of Intent are no longer a thing) with Ohio State on Wednesday, we’ll be tracking each signing right here.

The list of players who have officially signed with Ohio State and commits whose signings have not yet been announced:

Signed

Commits

  • DT Jarquez Carter - Carter may not sign until Thursday, since his ceremony with his high school is scheduled for that day.

Flipped elsewhere

Below, you can read a little more about each player who has signed with the Buckeyes on Wednesday to officially become a member of its 2025 recruiting class.

QB Tavien St. Clair

Ohio State officially landed one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 recruiting class with the signing of St. Clair.

Ranked as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 7 overall prospect in his class, St. Clair committed to the Buckeyes in June 2023, less than one month after receiving his Ohio State offer. He became the leader of Ohio State’s 2025 class from there, all the while climbing more than 300 spots in the 247Sports composite rankings.

The Bellefontaine native is the third-highest-rated quarterback to ever sign with the Buckeyes out of high school behind only Quinn Ewers and Terrelle Pryor. He’s the first in-state quarterback to sign with the Buckeyes since Joe Burrow.

CB Devin Sanchez

Along with Tavien St. Clair, there’s no doubt who the leader is of the 2025 recruiting class. Sanchez, the No. 1 rated cornerback in the 2025 class, committed to Ohio State in January and never wavered, often going out of his way to help peer recruit other prospects to Columbus. 

Sanchez is as talented on the field as he is loyal, with nice length and twitch at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds. He’s also a successful track athlete and should have no problem keeping up with any receiver he matches up with. Ohio State’s cornerback room should still be loaded heading into next season, but his raw talent combined with his instincts could see him playing a major role on the field in Year One.

LB Riley Pettijohn

If you asked recruiting pundits in the spring, nearly every analyst would have forecast Pettijohn stayed in Texas, either with the Longhorns or Texas A&M. James Laurinaitis beat out both schools, plus USC, and added the second-ranked linebacker in the cycle to Ohio State’s 2025 class.

Pettijohn’s skillset equips him to be the next great Buckeyes linebacker, based on his athleticism, top-tier instincts, block shedding and closing speed. He’s played both outside and inside linebacker effectively in high school and could perform well at both roles in college.

DE Epi Sitanilei

Sitanilei joins the Buckeyes as a signing-day flip after initially committing to UCLA. Ohio State made a late run at recruiting Sitanilei after last month’s decommitments from Zahir Mathis and London Merritt, and the Buckeyes’ efforts paid off.

After waiting his turn to start at California powerhouse St. John Bosco, Sitanilei made a big move up the rankings to become a four-star prospect with a strong senior season for one of the top high school teams in the country. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Sitanilei possesses a long frame with plenty of athleticism, giving him high upside as a developmental prospect on the edge.

DE Zion Grady

Grady was a bit of a surprise commitment following his official visit in June, as not many forecasted the Alabama product would eventually end up in Columbus before the visit took place. Yet, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Grady has unlimited potential in Jim Knowles’ defense and is a prime addition to Ohio State as a top-75 prospect, with the Buckeyes fending off a late push from Auburn to land his commitment.

With plenty of snaps becoming available next season, Grady could contend for a spot on the two-deep as a freshman. He’s a versatile pass rusher capable of playing in multiple fronts, so he could be quite the weapon for the Buckeyes in future seasons.

LB Tarvos Alford

Ohio State went out of its way to do everything it could to keep Alford in the class and fend off any poaching schools. That’s because the Buckeyes are super high on his potential because of his athleticism and perfect fit for the Will linebacker position. 

Alford diagnoses plays quickly, is an effective blitzer but may be an elite coverage linebacker that can run with even the most talented of running backs. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect was tempted by Miami late in the process, but a late push from OSU kept Alford with the Buckeyes.

OT Carter Lowe

Justin Frye won’t get as much credit for landing Lowe because he’s an in-state product, but that doesn’t make the top-60 prospect’s addition to Ohio State’s 2025 class any less significant. Lowe was the seventh commit to sign up for the Buckeyes’ current class and became a strong peer recruiting leader throughout the last year. 

Ohio State has had past success with basketball players turned offensive linemen, and that’s a similar story that unfolded in Lowe’s athletic journey. His recruitment was essentially a Michigan vs. OSU battle that the Buckeyes won out and he’s expected to start his collegiate career in Columbus as an offensive tackle.

WR Quincy Porter

Porter is Brian Hartline’s crown jewel of the 2025 class, with the 6-foot-3, 190-pound wide receiver ranked comfortably in the top 60 prospects nationally in the cycle per 247Sports’ composite rankings.

The New Jersey product boasts a rare combination of length and speed not often found in prep wideouts and he’s the most likely of Ohio State’s four wide receiver commits to play first. There was some late speculation Porter could be on flip watch, primarily to Penn State, but Porter remained steadfast to his OSU commitment and will suit up for the scarlet and gray next fall.

RB Anthony Rogers

A late Signing Day addition, Rogers is a crucial piece of the puzzle for Ohio State’s running back corps. The Alabama product chose the Buckeyes over Georgia and his previous commitment of Alabama, primarily because of his previous relationship with running backs coach Carlos Locklyn.

The 5-foot-8, 190-pound prospect could be a versatile player for Chip Kelly to deploy on offense, with the capabilities of taking carries in the backfield or lining up as a slot receiver. Rogers is a bit on the smaller side but he makes up for that with blazing speed and a tenacity to run between tackles and withstand his fair share of punishment.

RB Bo Jackson

He’s not related to the 1985 Heisman Trophy winner, but at 6 feet and 205 pounds with a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash time, Ohio State running back signee Bo Jackson has some similar qualities to his legendary namesake.

The sixth-ranked running back in the 2025 class, Jackson gained 1,700 yards from scrimmage and scored 28 touchdowns as a junior and was off to a strong start in his senior year at Cleveland’s Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Jackson is expected to make a full recovery in time for his freshman year at Ohio State and could push for immediate playing time at running back if Quinshon Judkins enters the 2025 NFL draft with TreVeyon Henderson set to exhaust his eligibility.

TE Nate Roberts

There was no tight end coveted more in the 2025 cycle by Keenan Bailey than Nate Roberts. At one point, Bailey appeared to be taking a risk by putting nearly all of his eggs in the Roberts basket, but the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Oklahoma product felt such a connection with Bailey that he chose the Buckeyes over his hometown Sooners. 

Roberts is a prolific receiving tight end and a state champion who will bring instant pedigree to Ohio State’s tight end room. He moves like a wide receiver, which could create plenty of mismatches against linebackers in the future.

S Cody Haddad

Haddad appeared on OSU’s radar in his junior season. His year was limited to four games due to injury, but the production was undeniable. The Buckeyes offered him in January, shortly after he committed to play for Wisconsin, but it was only a matter of time before he ended up in Ohio State’s 2025 class.

Haddad has played multiple positions in high school, but is best served as a collegiate safety. He’s strong at playing the run but also holds his own against receivers in man coverage. Haddad will need a bit more seasoning before he’s ready to play meaningful snaps on defense, but the Cleveland product hopes to become a big piece for Ohio State’s defense in future seasons.

S DeShawn Stewart

The New Jersey product could play multiple positions in Ohio State’s secondary, but his skillset is probably best suited for free safety. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound prospect has elite vision, discipline and awareness to where receivers are lining up and how best to create leverage. His frame should hold up against most receivers he’d cover and he often has great closing speed to shut down routes.

Stewart is super close with fellow OSU commit and high school teammate De’zie Jones, who have practiced against each other for years trying to help the other raise their game. He’s played cornerback and strong safety in the past, so it will be interesting to see what safety position Jim Knowles prefers Stewart to start out when he arrives on campus.

WR De’zie Jones

Jones may fly under the radar among OSU’s 2025 commits, but he fits the perfect mold for what Brian Hartline is looking for in a slot receiver at the next level. 

The 6-foot, 180-pound prospect committed to the Buckeyes seemingly out of nowhere in the spring, and has led a drama-free recruitment since. Jones is the high school teammate of fellow OSU commit DeShawn Stewart and the two share a close bond and will now suit up together at the next level.

WR Bodpegn Miller

Brian Hartline is betting on upside with the signing of Miller, who played quarterback at Ontario High School but will move to wide receiver for the Buckeyes.

At 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds with a 4.43 40 time, Miller has the tools to develop into an excellent weapon for the Buckeyes. He’ll likely need some time to hone his route-running craft before playing a significant role at receiver, but the Ohio Mr. Football finalist seemingly has the right mix of physical skills and high-end intangibles to emerge as a hidden gem in Columbus.

RB Isaiah West

West may only be 5-foot-11, but he has a sturdy, muscular build at 208 pounds that lends him the ability to be a powerful runner at the collegiate level. West’s frame also gives him the ability to hold up in pass protection. He has other freaky athletic traits, including a 34-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 2-inch broad jump. 

He became intrigued by the Buckeyes quickly in the spring and committed to Ohio State over Kentucky. West may need a bit of development before he gets meaningful carries, but there’s no shortage of potential here. He’s also the high school teammate of OSU defensive tackle commit Maxwell Roy.

WR Phillip Bell

A prevailing theme with Brian Hartline’s wide receiver class this cycle is height, and Phillip Bell certainly fits that mold too coming in at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds. Bell profiles as a deadly outside wide receiver with a strong jump ball ability and run after the catch speed.

Hartline battled USC for Bell throughout most of his recruitment, but OSU won the recruiting war in the end for the California commitment. Bell could see the field as a special teams contributor in his first season, though it’s unlikely he’ll crack the wide receiver rotation in Year One.

G Jayvon McFadden

At 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, McFadden is probably best suited to play guard at the next level, but his frame could hold up at tackle if he was needed in a pinch by Ohio State. McFadden plays with a violent mean streak and has strong hands at the point of attack that will serve him well at the next level. He uses his length well to get leverage against opposing defensive linemen, and he gets to the second level quickly on running plays.

Like most freshmen offensive linemen, McFadden could use a bit of seasoning before being thrust into the Buckeyes’ starting five. His frame already lends itself to at least treading water in practice in his first season and he’ll be able to build upon that in spring football this year.

C Jake Cook

A native of nearby Westerville, Cook repeatedly camped at Ohio State throughout his high school career before finally earning an offer this summer. Once he did, Cook promptly decommitted from Louisville and committed to the team he’s been cheering for his entire life.

Cook earned the offer by significantly changing his body over the last two years to become a more athletic blocker. He’ll need to continue developing as he makes the move from tackle to center at Ohio State, but his work ethic, power and local roots made the 6-foot-5, 295-pound three-star prospect’s long-term potential well worth betting on.

TE Brody Lennon

Outside of Bodpegn Miller, perhaps no OSU commit’s stock has risen higher within the last four months than Lennon. Originally, Keenan Bailey was content to take just one tight end in the class once he landed Nate Roberts, but that changed once Bailey saw Lennon work out with the Buckeyes in June at a recruiting camp.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound prospect went from a three to a four-star prospect this fall and is praised for his balanced ability as both a blocker and pass-catcher. Lennon grew up rooting for OSU as an in-state prospect, so once he got the offer from the Buckeyes, his mind was pretty much made up.

DT Trajen Odom

Odom brings excellent length to the defensive tackle position at 6-foot-4, 285 pounds, and has a quick first step that could combine with his size to make him an excellent run-stopping defensive tackle that creates consistent penetration. He racked up 54 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble as a junior.

The North Carolina product already flexes good block-shedding technique but will need to pack some more weight onto his frame before he’s ready to contribute for the Buckeyes. He maintained that Ohio State had always been one of his favorite schools throughout his recruitment, and that affinity plus a strong bond built with Larry Johnson led to Odom choosing the Bucks over Oregon, USC and UCLA.

DT Maxwell Roy

At one point, Roy looked all but headed to Michigan. That was until Ryan Day and Ohio State made a big push for him this summer. Roy eventually committed to OSU once given the green light and had a quiet recruitment after that.

The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Pennsylvania standout has a sturdy frame already heading into college and should beef up the Buckeyes’ interior defensive line corps immediately. In high school, he showcased an ability to beat double teams and effectively penetrate the gap. He’s the high school teammate of fellow commit Isaiah West and played his prep ball at St. Joseph’s Prep, the alma mater of former OSU players Kyle McCord and Marvin Harrison Jr.

S Faheem Delane

The crown jewel of Ohio State’s safety haul for the 2025 class, Delane is a composite top-50 prospect out of Maryland that safeties coach Matt Guerrieri and the Buckeyes won a hard-fought battle with Oregon to obtain. His commitment came on the heels of a visit to Columbus in June, completing a two-year recruitment after OSU offered him in May of 2022.

Delane is known for his ability to play downhill, making many of his best plays in and around the box. He collected 69 tackles and 18 pass breakups as a junior, and he combines excellent speed and athleticism with a college-ready frame at 6-foot-2.5, 195 pounds. A year in Ohio State’s strength and conditioning program should have him ready to contribute as a freshman if needed with Lathan Ransom exhausting his eligibility, though Malik Hartford, Jaylen McClain, Jayden Bonsu and Keenan Nelson Jr. are currently in line to compete to start alongside Caleb Downs.

LB Eli Lee

Lee was linebackers coach James Laurinaitis’ first-ever commit as a full-time assistant coach. The Akron product had to use a little bit of restraint not to immediately accept the offer from his hometown school when first offered, but eventually was in the class a few weeks later in October 2023.

At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Lee is best suited to play inside linebacker in Jim Knowles’ scheme. He’s come a long way within a year and was named the MVP of the Under Armour Next camp in Canton in April. They each have their different styles, but from a leadership standpoint, he brings Tommy Eichenberg vibes to Ohio State’s linebacker unit.

CB Jordyn Woods

Considering the tallest cornerback on the 2024 Ohio State roster is Davision Igbiniosun at 6-foot-2, Woods is going to have a height advantage over any other player at his position at 6-4. His length and ability to play outside corner is what drew Tim Walton to him in the first place, with Woods taking his first visit to OSU for the Nebraska game.

An offer came about a week or so later and Woods returned to Ohio Stadium for the Indiana game. He was in the class a few days later. Woods has all the physical tools to be successful in college, but could need a bit of seasoning before earning regular playing time in OSU’s secondary.

136 Comments

Stock Up/Down: Ryan Day Gets Last Chance to Win Back Buckeye Fans in College Football Playoff, Defense Tries to Save The Game

Ryan Day

Ohio State Falls to No. 6 in the CFP Rankings After Three-Point Loss to Michigan in Regular-Season Finale

Cody Simon
View 136 Comments