Signed: Kye Stokes adds needed depth, versatility to Buckeyes secondary
The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2022 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Kye Stokes has signed with the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS — Kye Stokes wasted little time making his intentions known.
The Florida defender was a fast-rising prospect when Ohio State extended an offer in late April. Less than a week later, Stokes was the newest commitment for Ryan Day’s 2022 recruiting class.
A versatile defensive back prospect, Stokes has now signed his Letter of Intent with the Buckeyes.
What does this addition do for Ohio State? Let’s break it down.
Who is Kye Stokes?
Kye Stokes is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound safety who committed to Ohio State on May 2, 2021.
On3 Consensus Ranking: 299 overall, 29 SAF, 35 Florida
On3 Ranking: 27 SAF, 40 Florida
Hometown: Seffner, Florida
High School: Armwood
Scouting summary: Stokes is the long, rangy safety prospect that college coaches love. He can run — 10.8 in the 100-meter-dash — and has very natural instincts in the passing game, intercepting seven passes during his junior and senior seasons. If we’re making an Ohio State comparison based on film and projected positional use, it’s easy to see some Josh Proctor in Kye Stokes.
Depending on the scheme new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles elects to employ, Stokes could also fill the role of the cover safety much like Lathan Ransom in 2021.
How did Stokes end up at Ohio State?
Playing in the nation’s most talent-rich state, Stokes saw his recruitment really take off during this past spring. Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, and Notre Dame were among the power programs that extended offers in April. Kye Stokes had officially become a national name.
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It was Tony Alford’s approach that helped to seal the deal for the Buckeyes. Ohio State’s running backs coach laid the foundation and introduced the up-and-comer to the rest of the coaching staff.
“The thing that was really a big deal,” Stokes told Lettermen Row. “Was that before they even started the process, Coach [Tony] Alford called my parents and asked if they were OK with him recruiting their son. That had never happened before.”
That relationship – along with Ohio State’s history of producing defensive backs – is what led to Kye Stokes choosing the Buckeyes over a number of other big-time offers. His commitment came about a month before he was finally able to step foot on Ohio State’s campus.
