Joel Klatt optimistic about Ohio State's signing class despite lack of five-stars

The 2023 Ohio State recruiting class may not have any five-stars, but Joel Klatt believes it is still among the best in the country. In a recent episode of his podcast, The Joel Klatt Show, the FOX Sports analyst explained why.

Klatt cited the number of top 100 recruits — seven according to the On3 Consensus — the Buckeyes signed as well as their average rating. Ohio State signed the fourth-best class according to the On3 Team Rankings, ahead of several schools who landed at least one five-star.

“Ohio State’s average rating is actually third in the country right behind Alabama, obviously,” Klatt said. “They’re No. 1 Georgia, they’re No. 2. Then Ohio State is right there. Them and Texas. So those four schools are the only schools to have an average rating of 93 or higher. So that tells a little bit more of a complete picture. Did Ohio State recruit on the same level as Alabama? Close. Not on the same level. But I think it tells a little bit of a different story than just looking at the five-stars.”

Of the 20 players from Ohio State’s recruiting class, all but one are four-star prospects. That includes a pair of top 100 receivers in Carnell Tate and Noah Rogers.

Klatt pointed to current Buckeyes receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. as an example that some four-stars have just as much potential to blossom as five-stars. Harrison ranked as the No. 73 overall in the 2021 class. After seeing limited action as a true freshman, he broke out this past season to lead the Buckeyes with 77 catches for 1,263 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns.

Those numbers put Harrison among the top 10 receivers in all of college football.

“When you look at those top 100 recruits, those are the guys that end up being great players,” Klatt said. “Marvin Harrison Jr. wouldn’t have been included in that five-star graphic. Well, that’s just crazy because he’s obviously one of the best players in the country. He’s a four-star. So when you get a player like that, it’s obviously big for your signing class. That is the case for Ohio State.”

The 2023 recruiting class marks the first time since Ryan Day took over in 2019 that the Buckeyes have not signed a five-star. However, it’s clear the class is not devoid of talent. Ohio State finished 11-2 this past season and made it’s third appearance in the College Football Playoff under day. With the players it added, it will hope to maintain its place among college football’s elite in 2023 and beyond.