Ohio State Football: Buckeyes lose out on key 2021 recruiting target

The Ohio State football team suffered a rare loss on the recruiting trail during this 2021 cycle as they swing and miss on a top target.

The Ohio State football team and head coach Ryan Day are in the midst of possibly the Buckeyes best recruiting class of all-time for the 2021 cycle. One of the few remaining spots left open in the class was held for a special player that Ohio State thought they had the inside track on.

Five-star offensive tackle JC Latham from IMG Academy in Florida announced via twitter that he has committed to play for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The No. 17 overall player in the class according to 247Sports, Latham was a Buckeye lean all winter long but things changed come the spring. Alabama put the full court press on for Latham as he ultimately decided that Tuscaloosa was the place for him.

So while Ohio State had remained optimistic in securing Latham’s commitment, it did not come as a shock to the Buckeyes in the end. With incoming five-star freshman tackle Parris Johnson already on the roster, a chance at early playing time would be hard to come by for JC Latham and that may have played a factor in his decision.

As the Buckeyes take the loss on this recruitment the Buckeyes still have a chance at obtaining at least two more five-star recruits to close out the No. 1 ranked recruiting class.

J.T. Tuimoloau, the No. 2 ranked player in this class is heavily favored to pick the Buckeyes over the Washington Huskies. Tuimoloau, from Sammamish, Washington, is a super talented defensive lineman who would come right in with fellow five-star prospect Jack Sawyer and could see early playing time as a member of the Scarlet and Gray.

Another fellow Washington player, receiver Emeka Egbuka, is high on the Buckeyes wish list as well. The feeling seems to be mutual as Egbuka, the No. 8 player in the nation, is favored by most outlets to choose Ohio State.