Ohio State is back in the College Football Playoff for the fifth time.
While the focus for the program will be on defeating Georgia on Dec. 31, this is also a critical time on the recruiting trail. The early signing period begins Dec. 21, and the Buckeyes have the No. 6 class in the country in the 247Sports Composite. Still, there are holes to fill in the class and elite prospects around the country waiting to announce their decisions.
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Here are some thoughts as signing day nears.
• The Game is not just an important on-field contest — it often brings out some of the most intriguing recruiting storylines. One of the biggest for the Buckeyes this year was the appearance of five-star safety Caleb Downs for an unofficial visit. Downs, the top safety in the 2023 class, is an Alabama commit, but the Buckeyes are pushing hard to flip him. He also took a visit to Georgia in November. Ohio State has three safeties already committed in the 2023 class, but with the departures of Ronnie Hickman, Josh Proctor and Tanner McCalister, it is a position of need. Downs, ranked No. 11 overall in the class, would be a big addition to a position group that will need a spark next year.
• Another name to watch is four-star edge rusher Joshua Mickens. A top-150 national prospect, Mickens decommitted from LSU two days after visiting Columbus for the Ohio State-Michigan game.
• The Buckeyes’ class lost a few players in recent weeks, with decommitments from quarterback Brock Glenn and running back Mark Fletcher. Their departures leave Ohio State without a quarterback or running back in the 2023 class as of now. The Buckeyes are still pushing hard for both positions, though.
• One potential solution at quarterback is four-star South Dakota prospect Lincoln Kienholz, a Washington commit who visited Columbus for the Ohio State-Michigan game. Kienholz is rated No. 385 overall and the No. 23 quarterback in the 247Sports Composite (Glenn is No. 384 and No. 22). As a senior this fall, he threw for 2,132 yards with 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions while also leading the team with 777 yards rushing.
• As for running back, there are a few options for the Buckeyes. Running backs coach Tony Alford wasted no time offering Jamarion Wilcox after Fletcher decommitted. Wilcox is a three-star running back from Georgia who is ranked No. 917 overall. He also has an offer from Kentucky.
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• Ohio State is also taking a look at five-star running back Rueben Owens. He is committed to Louisville but could be back on the market after Scott Satterfield’s surprising departure to Cincinnati. Owens’ father told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports that Rueben is still committed to Louisville and being patient for now. Texas A&M and TCU will also be heavily involved in this recruitment.
• It wouldn’t be the first time Ohio State coach Ryan Day has flipped a Louisville recruit. Offensive lineman Zen Michalski flipped from the Cardinals and signed with the Buckeyes in the Class of 2021.
• Though filling the void at running back and quarterback is essential, a national battle is intensifying for a few of the top available edge rushers. Five-star prospects Damon Wilson, Keon Keeley and Matayo Uiagalelei are uncommitted, and Ohio State remains in the picture for all three. Wilson, ranked No. 20 overall, is picking between Ohio State and Georgia. Keeley, a former Notre Dame commit and the top-rated edge rusher in the country, is also considering Alabama and Florida. Uiagalelei is expected to announce where he’ll be going on signing day. USC is considered the biggest threat to the Buckeyes.
• As for the current class, Ohio State has 19 commitments, highlighted by five-star wide receiver Brandon Inniss of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage. Inniss was on the sideline for The Game with fellow receiver commit Carnell Tate and was seen talking with Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
• The Buckeyes’ class ranks No. 6 overall but is third in average player rating (93.45), behind only Alabama (93.96) and Georgia (93.48). Ohio State has five top-100 players in its class, plus two others ranked just outside the top 100.
• The transfer portal officially opened Monday, and safety Jaylen Johnson was the first Ohio State player to declare his intention to leave the program. The former three-star prospect did not play in a game for the Buckeyes in two seasons. Later in the day, linebacker Teradja Mitchell, a former four-star recruit, announced that he plans to enter the portal but will finish the season with the team. He has played in four games this year and hasn’t recorded a tackle.
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• We’ll get into all the transfer news as it comes out and what the Buckeyes should be looking for later. I do expect the Buckeyes to be active in the secondary. History shows Day hasn’t been overly aggressive in the portal. He averages just over two incoming transfers a year, so he won’t reach for somebody who isn’t a good fit. That being said, Ohio State will need impact players in the secondary next year.
(Photo of Ryan Day: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
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