Top-100 EDGE prospect Joshua Mickens commits, signs to Ohio State

On3 imageby:Matt Parker12/21/22

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COLUMBUS — Ohio State landed a major and critical addition to its defensive class on National Signing Day.

Joshua Mickens has committed and signed his National Letter of Intent to the Buckeyes.

Joshua Mickens is the No. 7 rated EDGE and the No. 57 overall prospect in the 2023 cycle according to On3. He checks in as the No. 21 EDGE and the No. 130 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus Rankings.

Mickens is a late addition to the Buckeyes 2023 class, but he is certainly a welcomed and valued addition. The four-star Indianapolis (Ind) Lawrence Central prospect took an unofficial visit to Ohio State on Nov. 12 and is fresh off his official visit that took place during Michigan weekend.

Mickens had the opportunity to see the program firsthand during his first visit. The official visit afforded more of an in-depth, personal look. He had schematic meetings between him, defensive line coach Larry Johnson and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

Mickens was formerly an LSU commit, but with Ohio State making him a priority late, the decision to decommit was apparent.

Shortly after his decommitment Lettermen Row staffer Matt Parker placed a prediction in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine for Ohio State to land Mickens.

Mickens now joins a defensive front seven that includes: four-star defensive lineman Jason Moore, four-star defensive lineman Will Smith Jr., four-star defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and four-star linebacker Arvell Reese.

He has help in the secondary with cornerback commits Jermaine Mathews, Calvin Simpson-Hunt and Kayin Lee. Safeties Cedrick Hawkins, Malik Hartford and Jayden Bonsu round out the defensive class.

Ohio State has not finished its defense recruiting in the 2023 cycle. Follow Lettermen Row as the Buckeyes continue their pursuit of defensive prospects.

For now, however, the pursuit of top-100 EDGE prospect Joshua Mickens has ended, and come January, he will be a Buckeye.

Joshua Mickens Scouting Report (On3)

One of the more skilled pass rushers in what is a deep group at the position in the 2023 cycle. Shows an advanced first step along with the ability to dip and bend around the edge. A fluid, functional mover. Will need to continue adding bulk and mass, but has some functional strength that belies his current size at around 6-foot-5, 210 pounds. Productive as a junior, totaling 23 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Also has a strong multi-sport profile as a top basketball player to go with a shot put toss over 48 feet as a sophomore.

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