Ohio State Recruiting: Your 2016 Buckeye Class, Part 2

Jonathon Cooper- Gahanna Lincoln (Columbus, OH)

Size: 6’2″- 234 lbs.

Position: WDE (#3 WDE, 4 stars)

While the early timing of his commitment was a bit of a surprise, Jonathon Cooper always seemed destined to be a Buckeye. He made it official on November 14th of 2014.

Cooper became the first commitment to Ohio State on the defensive side of the ball.

While Cooper wasn’t exactly under the radar at the time of his commitment, it was last summer when he truly burst onto the scene as one of the best defensive end prospects in the country. At the Atlanta regional for Nike’s The Opening, Cooper won every rep that he took. That earned him a spot in the The Opening, and he continued to impress against the best the country had to offer.

He is a bit undersized, but plays with a relentless motor. He has been labeled by some as one dimensional, purely a pass rusher. He will have to work at getting better against the run, but work is something he will not shy away from.

The intangibles that Cooper possesses makes him a solid bet to be a difference maker before his career at Ohio State comes to a close.

The Buckeyes are not short on capable edge rushers, but someone will have to step forward as the third end in the rotation as Sam Hubbard moves into a starting spot. Cooper has the talent to garner consideration for playing time. He is already enrolled, and on campus, which will give his chances a boost. He will have to hold off another freshman in this class, though. You might have heard of him.