Ohio State football: 2024 signees who will have the biggest impact as freshman
By Ryan Stano
With all of the smoke clear, the Ohio State football team has the fourth-best recruiting class in the country. They started Signing Day ranked second though. Losing a wide receiver to Oregon is why the Buckeyes dropped as far as they did once the day was finished.
Ohio State did end up signing the best recruit in the country after a long, stressful night. All that matters is that he is a Buckeye now. He joins 20 other signees as members of this class that the Ohio State football program is hoping can help put them over the top.
There aren't a lot of true freshmen who can come in and make an immediate impact. It's just the nature of college football. With that being said, there are three recruits that I could see making an impact next season. It's not like Ohio State doesn't have areas they can improve in on the roster.
All of these players are talented enough to immediately help the Buckeyes at their respective positions. To me, the main factor on whether nor not these recruits I'm about to mention can help the team right away is if Ryan Day will allow these guys to get meaningful snaps.
The first player on the list is someone who is talented enough to see snaps from day one.
1. Jeremiah Smith
That player is receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith is the number-one player in the country and has all of the tools to be the next great Ohio State receiver once he gets on campus.
Smith has the speed to get by defenders both with and without the ball, separation on his routes, and outstanding hands. He's the complete package when it comes to being a receiver. Now he gets to be coached by Brian Hartline, who is the best assistant coach in the country at developing players.
With Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka off to the NFL and Julian Fleming in the transfer portal, the receiver room is about to turn completely over. There is playing time available for those who separate themselves in Spring ball. Smith has the talent to do just that and earn significant snaps right way next season.
The next player on this list is someone the Buckeyes were afraid they were going to lose on Signing Day.