Ohio State trending to land a pair of five-stars, in the mix for two more

Ryan Day and Ohio State have already put together one of the nation’s most impressive recruiting classes in the 2024 cycle.

The Buckeyes currently have three five-star commitments with wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham, along with defensive lineman Justin Scott, who shocked everyone last month by committing to OSU over Michigan and Miami.

Ohio State’s class currently sits at No. 2 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, and the Buckeyes have a battle on their hands to take the No. 1 spot away from Georgia. There’s plenty of time until the December signing period when things become official, but a number of key OSU targets are set to make commitments between now and the end of August. Here’s where things stand with each in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden

School: Buford (Ga.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 8
On3 RPM: Georgia 58.5%, Ohio State 10.8%, Alabama 7.0%, Florida State 4.4%

Expert’s Take: “Visits look to be done for KJ Bolden, at least before he makes his decision. A July commitment is expected from the No. 1 safety in the country. Alabama got the final visit. Ohio State was the weekend before that. He tripped to Clemson, Florida State and Georgia in June as well. This continues to look like a showdown between the Bulldogs and the Buckeyes, but keep an eye on Florida State as well. I have had Georgia, the in-state school, on top for a few months, and I still like where Kirby Smart‘s program sits, but Ohio State and Florida State won’t go down without a fight in the next few weeks.” — Chad Simmons, On3 Director of Recruiting

Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Dylan Stewart

School: Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 10
On3 RPM: Ohio State 51.6%, South Carolina 31.2%, Miami 11.9%

Expert’s Take: “Dylan Stewart has gone back and forth on when he would like to commit. As of now, the five-star EDGE is looking to make a summer decision. He released a top five in June, but I continue to hear buzz around two schools: Ohio State and South Carolina. My prediction is on the Buckeyes, and I have had it there since early spring, and there is still a level of confidence from the Big Ten program. South Carolina’s confidence is growing too, after a successful official visit last weekend. Georgia and Miami are schools you cannot sleep on. There is consistent communication there, too. I hear a little more about the Buckeyes and the Gamecocks.” — Chad Simmons, On3 Director of Recruiting

5-star DL Eddrick Houston

School: Buford (Ga.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 21
On3 RPM: Ohio State 88.3%, Georgia 3.6%, Clemson 2.4%

Expert’s Take: “Aug. 22 is the date for five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston. He will commit on his birthday. There is a chance he takes and unofficial visit or two late in July when things open up again, but nothing is set. Ohio State continues to be the school to beat based on what I am hearing. Larry Johnson has made a big impact here. USC is another one that has emerged as a strong contender since the official visit in May. Alabama, Clemson and Georgia are the other three schools in the mix. None have been eliminated.” — Chad Simmons, On3 Director of Recruiting

5-star OT Brandon Baker

School: Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 22
On3 RPM: Oregon 89.3%, USC 3.5%, Georgia 1.7%, Texas 1.1%, Ohio State 1.1%

Expert’s Take: “Brandon Baker has gone back and forth about committing before the season or later in the process, and after his visits in June, he is expected to make that call in the coming weeks. Oregon did not receive an official visit in June, but I still like where the Ducks sit. A’Lique Terry has come in and done a good job after Adrian Klemm left for the NFL. Ohio State and Texas are the other two to watch. I hear more about the Longhorns, but the Buckeyes are in this too. Baker will now decide his decision timeline on the summer or during the season.” — Chad Simmons, On3 Director of Recruiting