2024 offensive lineman AJ Dennis calls Ohio State culture 'elite'
COLUMBUS — AJ Dennis had only ever been to Ohio State once before this past Saturday and it wasn’t even for a game in the Horseshoe.
He was on spring break as a middle schooler when he toured the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and then caught a Buckeyes baseball game.
Fast forward and Dennis, now a 6-foot-3, 250-pound 2024 offensive lineman for Mt. Pleasant (Mich) High, can say he’s been to Ohio Stadium.
“It was crazy,” Dennis told Lettermen Row. “[It was] really loud and cool to see everyone in scarlet.”
AJ Dennis was one of the many recruits in town for the Buckeyes’ game against Iowa. He’s relatively new to the recruiting scene — and football itself — but holds offers from five different Mid-American Conference programs. Toledo and Central Michigan highlight the list from the Group of 5 conference.
Despite his newness to the game, Dennis has the traits and the frame to play at the next level. And clearly Ohio State recognizes that.
“One of the strengths in my game is my ability to move and bend,” Dennis said. “I think it is super important to be able to move out in space.”
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It’s a solid self-evaluation from Dennis. His sophomore tape shows good explosiveness out of his stance and he flashes his hands quickly. He’s only in his third year of playing football but with his size and strength, he has a natural knack for the game.
Dennis had the opportunity to connect with a few players that have been around the game nearly their entire life. Ohio State offensive line commits Josh Padilla and Austin Siereveld spent time with Dennis before the recruits made their way to the skull session.
“We had a lot of good conversations about why OSU was the right choice for them,” Dennis said. “They were all good dudes. One thing I liked was that the players all treated them as if they were already on the team.”
Dennis caught on early on what makes the Buckeyes stand out and that’s their culture. He was drawn into it and said it would be an easy fit if he got the opportunity to play for Ohio State.
“It’s everything that I want. Elite expectations with accountability.”
AJ Dennis, like with football itself, is in the infancy stages of his recruitment and relationship with Ohio State.
And succinctly, there’s a long road ahead of him to make more visits to Ohio Stadium.
