Ohio State off to stellar start in the 2024 cycle

Ohio State‘s 2024 recruiting class got off to a phenomenal start when the Buckeyes landed Chandler (Ariz.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 On3 Consensus, on May 9. The Buckeyes’ group reached another level on Wednesday.

That is because head coach Ryan Day and his staff notched a commitment from Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the No. 2 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus. Ohio State now has the top class in the 2024 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings.

All four of the Buckeyes’ 2024 pledges are ranked in the top 150 of the On3 Consensus. They are Raiola, Smith, New Palestine (Ind.) four-star interior offensive lineman Ian Moore and Sunbury (Ohio) Big Walnut four-star linebacker Garrett Stover.

Ohio State’s 2023 class is stellar as well, ranking No. 3 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 1 in the Big Ten. However, that group only has one five-star in Miami Gardens (Fla.) American Heritage wide receiver Brandon Inniss.

When speaking with On3’s Hayes Fawcett, Smith shared that he is close with multiple staffers on the Buckeyes, including wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. Landing Smith’s pledge is Hartline’s latest blue-chip recruiting win.

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In addition to a commitment from Smith, Ohio State holds pledges from three of the top 50 wide receivers in the 2023 On3 Consensus: Inniss, Chicago (Ill.) IMG Academy four-star Carnell Tate and Rolesville (N.C.) four-star Noah Rogers. Hartline has also mentored some of college football’s best receivers over the past few seasons, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.

“That means a lot to me,” Smith told Fawcett about Hartline’s production of first round wide receivers. “It shows me that Coach Hartline is developing guys. I know coach Hartline will develop me to be the best version of myself into becoming a first round pick like he did with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave”

Ohio State’s 2024 class holds a score of 97.043, more than two points higher than the next program (Alabama at 94.992 with five commitments). The Buckeyes’ group also has an average rating of 95.72. Florida holds the next-best rating at 93.602 with three commitments.

Landing Smith is a massive win for Day and Co. It also may help Ohio State notch another five-star wideout as Smith is high school teammates with Joshisa Trader, the No. 8 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Buckeyes have a commanding lead for Trader’s commitment at 86.4%.