2017 Ohio State Recruiting Class Off To Spectacular Start

It is no secret that defensive tackle has been an area that the Ohio State coaching staff has seen more misses than they have hits. That’s not to say that they have totally struck out at the position; they are very high on the last two year’s hauls. But it is fair to say that they needed an impact year of recruiting at the position, and it appears they are getting it.

Jerron Cage, from Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, decided to stay in the Buckeye State to play his college ball. He committed to Ohio State in July of last year.

Cage does not have a ton of offers yet, but his Notre Dame offer is definitely one to keep an eye. On top of Notre Dame’s lasting success in Cincinnati, Jerron’s brother, Daniel, plays in South Bend.

What the Buckeyes are getting in Cage is an already massive body, but one that is remarkably still growing. His high school coach, Andre Parker, compared him to former Buckeye great Johnathan Hankins. Hankins was very nimble on his feet, and surprisingly quick for his size.

Cage is currently ranked as the 13th best defensive tackle in the 2017 class.

Joining Cage in the class is a guy that could wind up being the most surprising commitment of the entire class come National Signing Day.

Haskell Garrett committed to Ohio State earlier this month, despite having never even visited the school. He only held his offer from the Buckeyes for a week before he pulled the trigger. He is the 4th ranked defensive tackle in the class, and the 76th best player overall.

Garrett plays at Bishop Gorman, the powerhouse program in Nevada. What makes a guy from Nevada, who has never even been on campus, decide to commit to a school? It speaks directly to the brand that Urban Meyer has created, for himself and for the program.

Naturally there has to be some questions about how firm his commitment can be if he has never even visited, or visited any school for that matter. He has stated that he grew up watching the Buckeyes, and his appreciation for what Urban Meyer has done in his career is what put Ohio State over the top.

Garrett is a complete football player, able to stuff the run as well and get pressure on the quarterback. Like most soon-to-be seniors in high school, he is still growing. That means he has the chance to add to his space-eating frame, and his overall explosiveness.

The Buckeyes are in solid shape at defensive tackle for the 2017 class, but they would prefer to take a third one. There are no shortage of elite options for them.

Fred Hansard is one of the name most commonly associated with the Buckeyes. He is the 9th ranked defensive tackle in the class, and the 3rd ranked player in the increasingly talent filled state of New Jersey. Rutgers, Penn State, and Michigan are major players in his recruitment as well.

Hansard made his first visit to Columbus at the end of January.

Other names that are serious options for Ohio State are: 11th ranked defensive tackle Cam Spence, 5th ranked Aubrey Solomon, and 24th ranked Dalyn Wade-Perry.

Next: Joshua Kaindoh