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Ohio State Recruiting: Number 2 Ranked Class Loaded On Defense

By Charlie Lockhart

Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer before the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer before the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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This year’s Ohio State recruiting class is being led by elite players on the defensive side of the ball.

The 2018 Ohio State recruiting class is currently ranked as the second best in the country. It is also on pace to break the record for the best player average set by the Buckeyes in the 2017 class. This in large part due to the number of outstanding defensive players who have committed so far.

The two most recent players to commit to the 2018 Ohio State recruiting class were defensive end Andrew Chatfield and linebacker Teradja Mitchell. This gives the Buckeyes eight defensive players among the 12 commits.

They certainly are an impressive bunch. Here is a list of the players, their position and national rankings according to the 247Sports Composite.

  • Taron Vincent       6 ft. 2,    285       DT        1          10       
  • Brenton Cox          6 ft. 4.5, 247    SDE        2          22
  • Jaiden Woodbey   6 ft., 2,   204        S          3          30
  • Teradja Mitchell    6. ft. 2,   243   MLB        2          38
  • Josh Proctor           6 ft. 2,    190         S         8          88  
  • Dallas Gant             6 ft. 3,    225    OLB         5        126
  • Sevyn Banks           6 ft. 1,    180      CB       25        256         
  • Andrew Chatfield   6 ft. 2,    221  WDE      15        291  

There are certain to be more highly ranked defensive players joining the 2018 recruiting class as well. Let’s take a look at some of the hottest prospects.

First, there are two five-star recruits who are definitely in play. Crystal Ball predictions favor the Buckeyes for landing CB Anthony Cook and WDE Micah Parsons.

Each are ranked No. 1 at their positions, and Cook is ranked as the No. 8 player overall and Parsons is No. 3.

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Four star defensive end Tyreke Smith, from Cleveland Heights, is also a strong Ohio State lean. The No. 5 WDE in the country is projected by some to bulk up and play the three technique tackle position for the Buckeyes.

Urban Meyer wants another linebacker in the class, and Christopher Oats may be that guy. The No. 13 OLB would be a great addition.

Oats stands 6 ft. 4 and weighs 215 pounds. He is very athletic and may develop into a hybrid type player who could play either linebacker or defensive end.

If Urban Meyer can land these guys, it’s hard to say if he will pursue any other defensive players, but he may. Ohio State is in the mix for a few of the top 10 defensive backs in the country, so it would be hard to turn one of them down if they want to play for the Buckeyes. Especially with the way coaches Kerry Coombs and Greg Schiano keep turning out defensive backs to the NFL with eligibility still remaining.

Next: With Kevin Wilson as OC, Ohio State Poised to Get Back on Top

If there isn’t another four or five-star athlete added to the 2018 Ohio State recruiting class, it still would be an excellent one as far as defensive players are concerned. But with the players who may be added to the class on that side of the ball, it could be one for the ages.

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