The Dust Has Settled on Ohio State's Early Signing Day

At the same time, Ohio State’s Early Signing Day was eventful and not eventful. On one hand, 25 future Buckeyes inked their signatures on Wednesday (and one on Thursday) with 23 of 24 established commitments signing. On the other, Ohio State earned one flip and lost one. Last year’s was significantly more nerve-wracking with both Jeremiah Smith and Eddrick Houston‘s recruitment going down to the wire. This year, Na’eem Offord and Tarvos Alford had the “will he flip” cloud hanging over their heads. Offord flipped to Oregon while Alford stayed true.

Additionally, running back Anthony “Turbo” Rogers pledged his services after de-committing from Alabama in November. Four-star EDGE Epi Sitanilei was committed to UCLA but ended up signing over to Ohio State.

At this point, eight signees are from Ohio, which Ryan Day noted was important. According to 247Sports, Ohio State’s Early Signing Day ended with three of the top five in-state athletes signed. Now, what’s next in the world of recruiting? Day has his work ahead of him in addition to preparing for Tennessee or whoever the College Football Playoff Committee matches Ohio State up with.

The Dust Has Settled on Ohio State’s Early Signing Day…Now What?

Next Generation of Playmakers

In the Day era, one area the Buckeyes have recruited as well as any is offensive playmakers. Last year, Ohio State signed two five-star quarterbacks (one in recruiting and one via the portal…technically), a high four-star receiver to go with the top player in the nation and a pair of running backs who showed they could carry the offense already. The 2025 class builds upon that already established strength.

At quarterback, the Buckeyes bagged both one of their own and one of the best in the country. Tavien St. Clair played high school football just 55 miles away from Ohio Stadium and has been locked in from day one. Despite a heavy push from every big program, St. Clair committed in June 2023 and never wavered. Of all the five-star quarterbacks, St. Clair was the only one to not flip during his recruitment.

With him, Ohio State’s Early Signing Period ended with four-star receivers Quincy Porter, Bodpegn Miller (from Ohio), De’zie Jones, and Phillip Bell. All four receivers are in the top 31 in the nation at the position, headlined by Porter, the 14th-best. Brian Hartline did miss on a few higher-ranked players but Ohio State is the only program with four top-31 players at the position (Texas has three). Keep an eye on Miller. He’s technically an “athlete” and he comes to Ohio State with zero career receptions. Miller was an uber-athletic quarterback and basketball player and Hartline sees something there to work with.

Finally, at running back, the Buckeyes landed Ohioan Bo Jackson, Jr. (no relation), Anthony “Turbo” Rogers, and Isaiah West. While next year will likely be up to James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon to lead the way, Jackson has the day-one ability and could be that first back off the bench.

Gone Portalin’

On Wednesday, neither David Sanders, Jr. nor Josh Petty had signed. It gave Ohio State fans a little hope that either could be flipped to the Buckeyes. Alas, both stuck to their commitments, leaving Ohio State with three offensive linemen in the class. While those three offensive linemen are solid in their own rights, Day believes the Buckeyes must do more to prepare for 2025.

Officially, the transfer portal is not open until Monday, December 9. Despite that, the Buckeyes have been in contact with Northwestern transfer, Josh Thompson. This year, Thompson earned an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. He is a versatile lineman, starting 21 games and appearing in 10 others at left guard, right guard, and right tackle.

As of Friday, the top-rated transfer offensive lineman (and second-best overall) is tackle Hunter Zambrano from Illinois State (FCS). Justin Frye turned a struggling, mid-level Mountain West tackle into a potential first-round pick. Perhaps Ohio State can turn a lower-level player who missed most of the 2023 season with an injury into an NFL Draft pick.

In addition to the offensive line, Ohio State is going to look for depth and starters elsewhere. Most notably, Day is looking for a kicker. One name that has surfaced is left-footed, Second-Team All-MAC kicker, Jesus Gomez. The Mexican-born kicker and Ohio State have had mutual interest according to a number of reports. In his career, Gomez has converted 46 of 58 field goals with a long of 57. When it comes to 50-plus-yard kicks, he made six of eleven. For reference, current kicker, Jayden Fielding, has made 25 of 32 with a long of 47 and missed his lone 50-plus-yard attempt in the 2023 loss to Michigan.

A Good Start

All in all, the 26-man class from Ohio State’s Early Signing Day is a good start. The job certainly is not done.

A quick glance at the roster would make one think the Buckeyes are set to replace something like 16 regular contributors and starters. That’s a lot, even for Ohio State who often recruits well and makes the most out of the transfer portal. On defense, Ohio State could just have Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs back. That’s also assuming Styles doesn’t test out the NFL waters. On offense, it’s Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, really.

In order for the Buckeyes to get back to where they believe they deserve to be, the development of recruits and the acquisition of transfers will be paramount. Day and his staff have done well in getting high-level transfers like Downs. The 2024 season isn’t over but Ohio State is already looking ahead to 2025 and getting back to the top of the Big Ten.

Ohio State’s Early Signing Day Haul

Star ratings via 247Sports where Ohio State holds the fifth-best class in the nation and second-best in the Big Ten. Bolded names signify Ohio natives.