COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Just days after Ohio State’s loss to Michigan and days before its playoff fate is discovered, the program is spent Wednesday focusing on its future.
More than 20 high school football players signed a Big Ten scholarship agreement to play for Ohio State. According to 247Sports, the Buckeyes have the fifth-best recruiting class in the country behind Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Oregon. “This is an excellent class. We got a lot of needs addressed and some high-end players,” said coach Ryan Day.
The top recruit to sign with the Buckeyes is five-star quarterback and Bellefontaine, Ohio, native Tavien St. Clair, rated as the third-best overall recruit in the country. Day said St. Clair has carried himself very well as he is the first Ohio native QB to sign with the Buckeyes since Joe Burrow.
He is among two five-star prospects expected to join Ohio State along with 18 four-star recruits and four three-star players. The Buckeyes were also able to get a four-star running back to flip to them as ex-Alabama commit Anthony Rogers signed with Ohio State.
“He gives us that hybrid where he can line up at receiver, come into the backfield, and return kicks,” said Day. “When you’re looking at the way things are going with NIL with roster limitations, I think the more hybrid guys you can bring in will be important.”
While Rogers flipped to Ohio State, five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord flipped his commitment from Ohio State to Oregon. Despite the last-gasp switch, Day spoke confidently about the loyalty of this class in this new age of recruiting. “A lot of guys have been loyal along the way,” said Day.
Signing Day sets up the future of the program but the transfer portal will come into play to set up next season. The portal will open on Monday and Day is hoping to utilize the timing to address the offensive line. “We have to do that,” said Day. “We got to make sure we have the numbers we need and the depth that we need.”
Here is a look at Ohio State’s anticipated recruiting class, ranked by how many stars each received from 247Sports. This list will be updated as signings are announced Wednesday:
FIVE STARS
Tavien St. Clair (SIGNED)
Pos.: Quarterback
Size: 6-4, 225 pounds
School / Location: Bellefontaine / Bellefontaine, Ohio
About him: Third overall recruit nationally and top overall recruit in Ohio. Strong arm with strong ability to throw while running. Good scrambling ability with quick speed and agility. Played basketball and baseball at the prep level. 2023 Division III first-team selection as a junior.
Devin Sanchez (SIGNED)
Pos.: Cornerback
Size: 6-2, 170 pounds
School / Location: North Shore / Houston, Texas
About him: Fifth overall recruit nationally and top overall cornerback recruit. Ideal height, length, and athleticism at cornerback. Strong in man-to-man coverage with quick reflexes. Ran track posting a 10.81 seconds 100-meter time as a sophomore.
FOUR STARS
Epi Sitanilei (SIGNED)
Pos.: Defensive end
Size: 6-5, 220 pounds
School / Location: St. John Bosco / Bellflower, California
Anthony Rogers (SIGNED)
Pos.: Running back
Size: 5-8, 190 pounds
School / Location: Carver / Montgomery, Alabama
Carter Lowe (SIGNED)
Pos.: Offensive tackle
Size: 6-5, 290 pounds
School / Location: Whitmer / Toledo, Ohio
Faheem Delane (SIGNED)
Pos.: Safety
Size: 6-2, 195 pounds
School / Location: Our Lady of Good Counsel High School / Olney, Maryland
Riley Pettijohn (SIGNED)
Pos.: Linebacker
Size: 6-1, 215 pounds
School / Location: McKinney High School / McKinney, Texas
Quincy Porter (SIGNED)
Pos.: Receiver
Size: 6-3, 190 pounds
School / Location: Bergen Catholic / Oradell, New Jersey
Zion Grady (SIGNED)
Pos.: Edge rusher
Size: 6-4, 235 pounds
School / Location: Enterprise High School / Enterprise, Alabama
Bo Jackson (SIGNED)
Pos.: Running back
Size: 6-0, 205 pounds
School / Location: Villa Angela-St. Joseph / Cleveland
Nate Roberts (SIGNED)
Pos.: Tight end
Size: 6-4, 235 pounds
School / Location: Washington High School / Washington, Oklahoma
Bodpegn Miller (SIGNED)
Pos.: Receiver
Size: 6-4, 180 pounds
School / Location: Ontario / Mansfield, Ohio
Tarvos Alford (SIGNED)
Pos.: Linebacker
Size: 6-2, 210 pounds
School / Location: Vero Beach High School / Vero Beach, Florida
Maxwell Roy (SIGNED)
Pos.: Defensive lineman
Size: 6-3, 285 pounds
School / Location: St. Joseph’s Prep School / Philadelphia
De’zie Jones (SIGNED)
Pos.: Receiver
Size: 6-0, 180 pounds
School / Location: DePaul Catholic / Wayne, New Jersey
Phillip Bell (SIGNED)
Pos.: Receiver
Size: 6-2, 195 pounds
School / Location: Mission Viejo High School / Mission Viejo, California
THREE STARS
Isaiah West (SIGNED)
Pos.: Running back
Size: 5-11, 208 pounds
School / Location: St. Joseph’s Prep School / Philadelphia
Jarquez Carter
Pos.: Defensive lineman
Size: 6-2, 284 pounds
School / Location: Newberry High School / Newberry, Florida
Brody Lennon (SIGNED)
Pos.: Tight end
Size: 6-4, 220 pounds
School / Location: Gilmour Academy / Gates Mills, Ohio
DeShawn Stewart (SIGNED)
Pos.: Safety
Size: 6-2, 185 pounds
School / Location: DePaul Catholic / Wayne, New Jersey
Trajen Odom (SIGNED)
Pos.: Defensive lineman
Size: 6-4, 285 pounds
School / Location: Weddington / Matthews, North Carolina
Cody Haddad (SIGNED)
Pos.: Safety
Size: 6-1, 175 pounds
School / Location: St. Ignatius / Cleveland
Eli Lee (SIGNED)
Pos.: Linebacker
Size: 6-3, 230 pounds
School / Location: Archbishop Hoban / Akron, Ohio
Jake Cook (SIGNED)
Pos.: Offensive lineman
Size: 6-5, 295 pounds
School / Location: Westerville North / Westerville
Jayvon McFadden (SIGNED)
Pos.: Offensive lineman
Size: 6-5, 300 pounds
School / Location: Riverdale Baptist / Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Jordyn Woods (SIGNED)
Pos.: Cornerback
Size: 6-3, 175 pounds
School / Location: Cartersville High School / Cartersville, Georgia