Ohio State makes cut for nation's top 2024 running back

On3 imageby:Matt Parker10/05/22

MattParkerLR

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has done some of the best recruiting in the country without even getting on the trail.

The Buckeyes potent ground attack — which averages 226.2 yards per game — has made a statement to running back prospects around the country.

That’s including the top-rated 2024 tailback, Jerrick Gibson. The four-star Gainesville (Fla.) native and IMG Academy product released his top 12 Tuesday afternoon, and Ohio State made the cut.

Other teams included Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Arkansas, Georgia, Miami, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas, Oregon and Tennessee.

Ohio State has continuously found itself in the mix for top-tier running backs as evident with 2023 prospects Richard Young and Justice Haynes, now Alabama commits, but has a fresh start in the 2024 cycle.

While the Buckeyes made the cut for Gibson, they have some legwork to do if they hope to remain in contention. Gibson hasn’t visited Ohio State per the On3 Visit Center and remains seemingly tight-lipped about his recruitment.

Gibson is the top-rated running back for a reason and his scouting report by Charles Power of On3 makes that clear.

Highly explosive, twitched up running back prospect. Physically developed and advanced heading into his junior season. Checked in at 5-foot-10.5, 190 pounds with a rocked up build. One of the more explosive 2024 prospects in the combine setting, registering an electronically-timed 4.57 second 40 yard dash, 40.3 inch vertical and 10 foot broad jump.

Moves at a different speed than many of his fellow top running backs. Carries that burst and twitch over to the field. Shows the play speed to rip off chunk runs. Also catches the ball fairly well, but can continue to improve in that area.

Moderately productive as a sophomore while playing for a team with a losing record. Transferred to IMG Academy prior to his junior season. Older for the cycle, turning 17 years old during his sophomore season.

Jerrick Gibson scouting report via Charles Power, On3’s Director of Scouting.

Jerrick Gibson once-upon-a-time was a Florida commit but decommitted from the Gators on Feb. 15. Ohio State offered Gibson nearly a month after his decommitment and since then it’s been an arms race for his coveted pledge.

Despite his decommitment from Florida, it’s the only school Gibson has visited this fall. He took in the Gators 31-28 win against South Florida and spoke highly about the visit to Gator Insider‘s Corey Bender.

The Buckeyes certainly after just Gibson in the extremely-talented 2024 cycle. Four-star Tampa (Fla.) Wharton High running back Stacy Gage and four-star Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller running back Jordan Marshall are both highly sought after by Ohio State.

Gage and Marshall are the No. 5 and No. 7 rated running backs in the 2024 cycle according to On3, respectively.

The highest-rated running back to sign with Ohio State in the Ryan Day era was former five-star TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson was the top-rated running back in the 2021 class, and the No. 19 overall prospect.

Ohio State continues to hang around for Gibson. And while there seemingly hasn’t been any traction, with the announcement of his top-12, now is the perfect time to start.

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