Massive priority cornerback target Bryce West commits to Ohio State
COLUMBUS — Ohio State earned a commitment from one of its biggest targets in the 2024 cycle.
Four-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville corner Bryce West committed to the Buckeyes on Saturday. He chose Ohio State over a mix of 30-plus schools including Michigan, Oregon, USC, Oklahoma and more.
West is the No. 7 cornerback, No. 52 overall prospect and No. 2 Ohio prospect, per On3. He is the No. 6 cornerback, No. 54 overall prospect and No. 2 Ohio prospect, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
West is the fourth defensive prospect in the Buckeyes’ 2024 class. He joins linebacker duo Garrett Stover and Payton Pierce as well as safety Jaylen McClain.
West and Ohio State have been tied together since December 2021. Head coach Ryan Day made the trip to his high school and personally offered West. Since then, the in-state prospect has visited Columbus more than a dozen times. He has built relationships with cornerbacks coach Tim Walton, safeties coach Perry Eliano and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Of course, West has a rock-solid relationship with Day as well.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound cornerback visited Ohio State on April 3. He was there for two days and sat down with essentially the entire defensive coaching staff. West watched practice and sat in meeting rooms. He had a lengthy conversation with Day about his future.
“Honestly, it just really opened up my eyes a lot,” West told Lettermen Row at the time. “Seeing what Ohio State is and isn’t.
“I liked this visit. I definitely needed to see more of Ohio State because now I know that Ohio State is definitely a great fit for a player like me.”
West is back on campus this weekend for an official visit, which began Friday. That’s when he sealed the deal.
West is now part of an impressive Ohio State recruiting class. He’s the third highest-ranked prospect in the Buckeyes’ 2024 class. Only five-star wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham and four-star quarterback Air Noland are ahead of him.
There was perhaps some doubt along the way that West would not choose Ohio State. He had plenty of options and could have played anywhere in the country, including Michigan, which also hosted him on an official visit earlier this month.
Instead, Ohio State added one of its top targets and kept one of the best in-state prospects home.
Bryce West is going to be a Buckeye.
