Ohio State defensive commits ready for playoffs
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is a little over a month away from finding out its playoff fate.
The Buckeyes have at the very least three more games on their schedule. They host Indiana this weekend, then hit the road for the last time against Maryland. And of course, as is tradition, Ohio State ends its season with a date against Michigan.
If the Buckeyes win those three games, they’ll play for the Big Ten championship in Indianapolis the first week of December. A win there all but locks in their spot into the College Football Playoff.
Where Ohio State already is experiencing the playoffs are in the future players of its program.
Lettermen Row previews the weekend slate of the Ohio State defensive commits from both the 2023 and 2025 classes.
Jason Moore
Four-star Fort Washington (Md) DeMatha Catholic defensive lineman Jason Moore plays against Washington D.C. Gonzaga in the first round of the playoffs on Friday.
Moore and the Stags defeated the Eagles 27-3 back on Oct. 8.
The future Ohio State defensive lineman recently spoke at length with On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons about his senior season and his future with the Buckeyes.
Kayden McDonald
Four-star Suwanee (Ga) North Gwinnett defensive tackle Kayden McDonald plays against Dacula (Ga) in the first round of the Georgia High School Playoffs on Saturday.
McDonald is the latest pledge to the Ohio State 2023 class.
Arvell Reese
Four-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville linebacker Arvell Reese plays against Elyria (Ohio) Catholic in the third round of the Ohio High School Playoffs on Friday.
Calvin Simpson-Hunt
Four-star Waxahachie (Texas) cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt plays against Temple (Texas) in the first round of the Texas High School Playoffs on Friday.
Kayin Lee
Four-star Ellenwood (Ga) Cedar Grove cornerback Kayin Lee plays against Bremen (Ga) in the first round of the Georgia High School Playoffs on Friday.
Jermaine Mathews Jr.
Four-star Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. plays against Kings Mill (Ohio) Kings in the third round of the Ohio High School State Playoffs.
Jontae Gilbert
2025 four-star Atlanta (Ga) Douglass cornerback Jontae Gilbert plays at Adairsville (Ga) in the first round of the Georgia High School State Playoffs.
Malik Hartford
Four-star West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West safety Malik Hartford plays against Cincinnati (Ohio) Elder in the third round of the Ohio High School Playoffs on Friday.
Cedrick Hawkins
Four-star Titusville (Fla) Cocoa safety Cedrick Hawkins plays against Dunnellon (Fla) in the first round of the Florida High School Playoffs on Friday.
Jayden Bonsu
Four-star Hillside (N.J.) St. Peters Prep safety Jayden Bonsu plays against Morristown (N.J.) Delbarton in the second round of the New Jersey High School Playoffs on Saturday.
Finished
Four-star Dublin (Ohio) Coffman defensive lineman Will Smith Jr. finished his senior season two weeks ago with a loss in the first round of the Ohio High School Playoffs.
