Ohio State recruiting: Where the Buckeyes stand with two blue-chip linemen

There’s not much to dislike about the current state of Ohio State‘s 2024 recruiting class. Following the commitment of Buford (Ga.) five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston on Aug. 26, the Buckeyes now have five-star pledges, curating the No. 2 class in the nation, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

Ryan Day and Co. currently have 21 pledges, including the No. 1 overall prospect in the cycle — according to the On3 Industry Ranking — Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Behind the wideout, Chicago St. Ignatius defensive lineman Justin Scott, New Haven (Ind.) WR Mylen Graham, Houston and Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes quarterback Air Noland are all top-30 recruits.

Ohio State has the most five-star commits and the best average rating per commit in the nation. Only Georgia ranks higher overall, though the Buckeyes are right on its heels. So what boxes are OSU still looking to check as August nears its end?

There are four offensive linemen pledged to the Big Ten powerhouse, including New Palestine (Ind.) four-star interior offensive lineman Ian Moore. The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder is the only top-400 prospect of the quartet, however. Adding a centerpiece in the trenches could be what the Buckeyes need to take their ’24 class to yet another level.

In the latest edition of the Wiltfong Whiparound, 247Sports national recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong dished the latest on where Ohio State stands with a pair of lineman that would help fill that need: Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei five-star tackle Brandon Baker and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star OT Jordan Seaton.

OSU ‘near the top’ for Brandon Baker

Baker is one of seven five-stars that remains uncommitted as of Aug. 27. The top-ranked OT in the cycle has been linked with a bevy of programs, from Ohio State, to Oregon, to Texas and even Nebraska. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) currently gives the edge to the Ducks, but the Buckeyes are firmly in the race.

“I think he’s closing in on a college decision,” Wiltfong said. “I think he’ll make one early in the fall and I have Ohio State near the top of his list. I think them and Texas are the programs that are in great position at this point in his process … he has a fantastic relationship with Justin Frye, he’s absolutely loved his experiences in Columbus and Ohio State should not be discounted as he continues to dot Is and cross Ts with his process.”

Ohio State received an official visit at the beginning of June, his first visit to Columbus since March. Texas also welcomed Baker for an OV, while Nebraska has one scheduled for September. Oregon has hosted the coveted tackle six times, meaning that picking a frontrunner is no easy task.

“Oregon has been on top of Baker’s list at least a couple of times, but Texas has come on strong since the official visit in June,” wrote On3’s Chad Simmons. “Ohio State is still in the mix for the Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei offensive tackle, but the Longhorns have made the biggest move over the summer.”

Buckeyes still battling for Jordan Seaton

Ohio State is one of the many programs — including LSU, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, Oregon and South Carolina — that will soon host Seaton for a visit. The 6-foot-5, 295-pounder is the No. 2 OT in the class behind Baker and is set to push his recruitment into the fall.

“There was a time where I loved Ohio State’s position. I even had a crystal ball forecast in favor of the Buckeyes for Jordan Seaton,” Wilftong said. “But at one point it looked like both parties were going their different ways — will they re-kindle the old magic? I think Ohio State is on the shortlist … I think he’s gonna get back for an official visit at some point.”

Seaton made two trips to Columbus in 2022, with his OV now set for Oct. 6 — the weekend that OSU plays Maryland. The Buckeyes will have some stiff competition for the Washington D.C. native playing in Florida.

“I like Ohio State in general,” Seaton told On3 back in November 2022. “The workout program. When I got down there, they lift a lot. The facility is crazy. I really like to build relationships with the offensive line coach that I’m going to be with every day. For real, my relationship with coach (Justin) Frye is very good and I feel like, if we keep building on that, who knows?”