One Ohio State recruit incredibly changes from OL prospect to top DL player

One of the recruits the Ohio State football program is trying to land decide to change his body to be ready to be a defensive line recruit.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive line coach Larry Johnson works with players during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive line coach Larry Johnson works with players during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus on March 19, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ohio State football program had a few top-notch recruits for a visit this weekend. One of those recruits is four-star recruit PJ Dean. Dean might be one of the most versatile recruits in the country, with what he is able to do and how his body has grown.

Dean is listed as a four-star recruit for both the offensive line and the defensive line. Different programs are recruiting him at different positions, including the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes see him more as a defensive lineman and would love to put him up front on defense.

Dean is projected to pick the Ohio State Buckeyes once he makes a decision. Ohio State is recruiting him as a defensive lineman and as an interior lineman at that. He is listed a 6'5 and 255 pounds, but he looked like he had bulked himself up before his visit this past weekend.

Ohio State football recruit looks ready to be a defensive lineman

The Buckeyes haven't landed many defensive linemen in this class yet, but that doesn't mean that they won't by the time it's all done. Luke Wafle looks like he might not have Ohio State as a favorite now, as USC has picked up some chatter regarding his recruitment.

Ohio State has the second-best recruiting class in the country, only behind the Trojans right now. That doesn't mean that they still can't leap over them by the time Signing Day finally does roll around in December. That is when most of the recruiting class will be signed for the Buckeyes.

Dean would be someone who would be more helpful on the defensive line than the offensive line for Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been getting more depth up front with the offensive line, so Dean would fit better with Larry Johnson's unit.