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Ohio State Football: Buckeyes vault to 2nd in 2020 class rankings

By Peter Burtnett

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 17: A detail of an Ohio State Buckeyes helmet during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on November 17, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 17: A detail of an Ohio State Buckeyes helmet during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on November 17, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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The Ohio State Buckeyes added another impressive four-star talent, and with this commitment Ryan Day has the Buckeyes sitting at 2nd in the 2020 national recruiting rankings. 

To anyone who doubted Ohio State head coach Ryan Day’s ability to recruit, he has now proven that he can best Nick Saban and Brian Kelly in recruiting. With the commitment of four-star DB Lathan Ransom out of Tuscon, AZ, the Buckeyes have only Clemson to beat at the top of the 2020 recruiting rankings.

Ransom adds to an already impressive defensive backfield in the 2020 class, joining Clark Phillips III, Lejond Cavazos and two-way athlete Cameron Martinez. This influx of incoming talent shows the incredible recruiting ability of new secondary coach Jeff Hafley.

Looking at the 2020 class as a whole, there is a nice balance on both sides of the ball with 12 offensive and 7 defensive commits, 1 two-way player and even a kicker.

On offense, in order of the highest-ranked recruit downward (all recruiting profiles and composite rankings via 247 Sports):

  • 5-star WR Julian Fleming (.9978 on 247 Sports)
  • 5-star OT Paris Johnson Jr. (.9969)
  • 4-star OG Luke Wypler (.9668)
  • 4-star WR Mookie Cooper (.9643)
  • 4-star WR Gee Scott (.9641)
  • 4-star QB Jack Miller (.9630)
  • 4-star WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (.9564)
  • 3-star OT Grant Toutant (.8874)
  • 3-star OG Josh Fryar (.8842)
  • 3-star TE Joe Royer (.8802)
  • 3-star OT Jakob James (.8594)
  • 3-star OT Trey Leroux (.8494)

Before moving on to defense, 3-star (.8884) two-way athlete Cameron Martinez is joined by 3-star (.8199) kicker Austin Siebert.

On defense, it’s the same order with the same rankings:

  • 4-star CB Clark Phillips III (.9750)
  • 4-star S Lathan Ransom (.9625)
  • 4-star DT Darrion Henry (.9459)
  • 4-star OLB Cody Simon (.9374)
  • 4-star S Lejond Cavazos (.9133)
  • 3-star OLB Mitchell Melton (.8668)
  • 3-star SDE Ty Hamilton (.8601)

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Not only is the 2020 class balanced on offense and defense, but also has a solid mix of every position group, with plenty of lineman, defensive backs, linebackers, receivers and a kicker.

The only real position missing is running back. If the Buckeyes can add 5-star running back Kendall Milton or Bijan Robinson, along with a 4-star all-purpose back (such as EJ Smith or Jaylan Knighton), the 2020 class will go down as one of the best classes in Ohio State history.

Either way, coach Day and Director of Player Personnel Mark Pantoni, who doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves being in the same position during Urban Meyer‘s coaching tenure, have kept the Buckeyes at the top of the recruiting game.

Odds are the Buckeyes could make the CFP. dark. Next

The 2020 class is already second-best in college football. But the addition of another 5-star and a 4-star or two could vault the Buckeyes even further and give Ohio State its greatest recruiting class of all time.

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