Lettermen Lounge: Taking stock of Ohio State defensive recruiting
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is slowly but surely piecing together its defensive class and in turn, the rest of its 2024 class.
The Buckeyes saw one of its defensive targets in three-star Bradenton (Fla) IMG Academy defensive tackle Jayden Jackson commit elsewhere Thursday.
Even with five-star Chicago (Ill) St. Ignatius defensive tackle Justin Scott in the class, is one enough for Ohio State?
That’s where the conversation in the latest episode of the Lettermen Lounge starts.
Hosts Spencer Holbrook and Matt Parker break down the direction of defensive tackle recruiting on the trail. Ohio State landed Scott’s commitment on July 2 and as the No. 2 defensive tackle in the country, that’s a great spot to be in.
Even with Scott, is he enough? He potentially is.
The Buckeyes have plenty of depth at defensive tackle, should things break the way they do. In 2024 these players are expected on the roster: Hero Kanu, Twyone Malone, Jason Moore, Will Smith Jr., Kayden McDonald and Justin Scott.
Three deep at defensive tackle is about where Ohio State is at for the 2023 season. Factor in if five-star Buford (Ga) defensive lineman Eddrick Houston commits, depending on how things shake out on the edge could bump inside.
The conversation transitioned from the defensive line to the secondary. Two of the Buckeyes’ biggest remaining targets, regardless of position, are set to commit within the next few weeks.
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Four-star Springfield (Ohio) cornerback Aaron Scott Jr. will make his decision on July 30 and he’s between Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon. Five-star Buford (Ga) safety KJ Bolden will announce his decision on Aug. 5 and is between Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Florida State and Auburn.
Both targets officially visited Ohio State in June and continue to keep the Buckeyes heavily in the conversation.
Their recruitments are imperative for the Buckeyes. Ohio State needs both players as it looks to retool its secondary in a massive way.
All of that conversation and more takes place inside the latest episode of the Lettermen Lounge. For easy access, just watch the video below.
For more Lettermen Row videos, check out our YouTube channel here.