Signed: Buckeyes added underrated, high-ceiling defensive tackle Eric Mensah to program
The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2024 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Eric Mensah has signed with the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS — Ohio State pulled off a flip in mid-September that caught many by surprise. But the flip was one of the more positive and memorable moments for the Buckeyes in the 2024 cycle.
Defensive tackle Eric Mensah initially was happy with his commitment to Virginia Tech, but Ohio State came knocking shortly after his pledge to the Hokies. A few months later, he took the chance on himself and flipped to the Buckeyes.
Mensah has made that verbal commitment official and signed his letter of intent with Ohio State. But what does it mean?
Lettermen Row breaks it down.
Who is Eric Mensah?
Eric Mensah is a three-star defensive tackle from Stafford, Virginia, and played at Mountain View High School.
He was originally committed to nearby Virginia Tech, but made an official visit to Ohio State for the Buckeyes’ home opener against Youngstown State.
Shortly after that visit, he flipped to the Buckeyes and hasn’t looked back since.
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 854 overall, No. 83 DL, No. 17 Virginia
On3 Ranking: UR overall, No. 38 DL, No. 7 Virginia
Hometown: Stafford, Virginia
High School: Mountain View High School
How did Mensah end up at Ohio State?
Much like with Eddrick Houston, the opportunity to play for veteran defensive line coach Larry Johnson was too much for Mensah to pass up.
He made his official visit to Ohio State in September where he spent plenty of face time with Johnson and head coach Ryan Day. That time shared with those two was enough for Mensah to realize his best opportunity wasn’t close to home, but rather to make a new home.
“One of my coaches has a quote that goes ‘The people who love you will tell you the truth, and the people who don’t will tell you what you want to hear,’” Mensah said shortly after he flipped. “I put that in my heart and listening to what coach Johnson was saying, I knew I had to be here.”
Eric Mensah will be on campus in January as an early enrollee and is preparing to go through those tough winter workouts as a Buckeye.
