Five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott commits to Ohio State

COLUMBUS — Ohio State is building its defensive class one piece at a time and it just got a major addition.

Five-star Chicago (Ill) St. Ignatius defensive lineman Justin Scott has committed to the Buckeyes.

Scott chose Ohio State over Michigan, Notre Dame, Miami and a number of others.

He is the No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 8 overall prospect according to On3.

In an unexpected, but welcomed, commitment, Scott broke down why Ohio State.

“When we came back from the Michigan visit, the whole family was set on them,” he told On3. “I was ready to commit to Michigan. And then we went to Ohio State, and the one thing that pushed Ohio State over the top was getting coached by Coach Larry Johnson.”

Scott is the highest-rated defensive prospect in the class and the second-highest-rated prospect in general. He’s only behind Jeremiah Smith.

Linebacker duo Garrett Stover and Payton Pierce set the foundation for the defensive class. Four-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville cornerback Bryce West committed on June 24.

Four-star West Orange (N.J.) Seton Hall Prep safety Jaylen McClain also committed to the Buckeyes this summer.

Scott will compete against four, very solid offensive linemen throughout his time at Ohio State. Four-star New Palestine (Ind) offensive tackle Ian Moore headlines the quartet for the Buckeyes. In-state twins Deontae and Devontae Armstrong are in the class. As is three-star Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic IOL Marc Nave.

The Buckeyes are piecing together its defensive class one prospect at a time.

And they landed a massive addition with defensive lineman Justin Scott.