Examining Ohio State defensive class after busy week of commitments

COLUMBUS — Ohio State added two commitments to its second-ranked class this week.

And they were both on the defensive side of the ball.

Five-star Chicago (Ill) St. Ignatius defensive lineman Justin Scott and four-star Chandler (Ariz) Basha cornerback Miles Lockhart committed to the Buckeyes this week.

Scott, the No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 8 overall prospect per On3, committed on July 2. Lockhart, the No. 38 cornerback and No. 340 overall prospect per the On3 Industry Rankings, committed on July 6.

The Buckeyes’ defensive class has tripled in the span of nearly a month and the growth spurt is only beginning.

Lettermen Row revisits the timeline of each prospect and how they landed at Ohio State.

Let’s dive in, starting with the first defensive commit.

Garrett Stover

Hometown: Sunbury, Ohio — Big Walnut High School

Position: Linebacker

Ranking: Four-star; No. 5 Ohio prospect, No. 11 linebacker, No. 153 overall (via On3)

Offered: June 1, 2022

Committed: Nov. 21, 2022

It was never a matter of if for Stover. It was always a matter of when. The in-state safety-turned-linebacker, while he explored his options, always knew he was going to end up at Ohio State. He’s been an incredible peer recruiter for the Buckeyes and will continue to be down the stretch.

Payton Pierce

Hometown: Lucas, Texas — Lovejoy High School

Position: Linebacker

Ranking: Four-star, No. 45 Texas prospect, No. 25 linebacker, No. 236 overall (On3 Industry Rankings)

Offered: Jan. 20, 2023

Committed: April 11, 2023

Pierce is an important piece to the Buckeyes’ class for a few reasons. One, he gives Ohio State its Mike linebacker of the 2024 haul. Secondly, it showcased graduate assistant James Laurinaitis‘ power and prowess on the trail.

Had Laurinaitis stayed at Notre Dame, there’s a better chance than not Pierce would have ended up in South Bend. Instead, that relationship carried over to Ohio State and after one visit, Pierce ended up a Buckeye.

Jaylen McClain

Hometown: West Orange, New Jersey — Seton Hall Prep

Position: Safety

Ranking: Four-star, No. 1 New Jersey prospect, No. 7 safety, No. 106 overall (On3)

Offered: March 2, 2023

Committed: June 12, 2023

McClain gave the Buckeyes their first commitment in the secondary. Ohio State has gone on an incredible run in the Garden State, and McClain is just the latest addition to that haul. Safeties coach Perry Eliano landed one of his major targets and now looks to do the same with KJ Bolden.

Bryce West

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio — Glenville High School

Position: Cornerback

Ranking: Four-star, No. 2 Ohio prospect, No. 6 cornerback, No. 42 overall (On3 Industry Ranking)

Offered: Dec. 3, 2021

Committed: June 24, 2023

Bryce West is arguably one of the most important commits to the class. He was between Ohio State and Michigan, and ultimately, West decided to stay home. He has completely bought into the vision of rebuilding the reputation of defensive backs at Ohio State. His relationship with head coach Ryan Day is second-to-none and of course he and Tim Walton are very close.

West is currently working on peer recruiting a number of targets including safety KJ Bolden and cornerback Aaron Scott Jr.

Justin Scott

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois — St. Ignatius

Position: Defensive tackle

Ranking: Five-star, No. 1 Illinois prospect, No. 2 defensive lineman, No. 8 overall (On3)

Offered: Sept. 5, 2022

Committed: July 2, 2023

Justin Scott was quite a surprise addition to the Buckeyes 2024 class, but more than a welcomed one. The five-star defensive lineman is a heavy need for Ohio State in this cycle, and once again, it goes to show that defensive line coach Larry Johnson still has it.

It is anticipated that Scott’s commitment will set the tone for the rest of the defensive line haul for the Buckeyes. Five-star EDGE Dylan Stewart is going to be talked about now more than ever with Scott already in the class.

Miles Lockhart

Hometown: Chandler, Arizona — Basha High School

Position: Cornerback/nickel

Ranking: No. 6 Arizona prospect, No. 30 cornerback, No 340 overall (On3 Industry Rankings)

Offered: June 21, 2022

Committed: July 6, 2023

The most recent defensive commitment to the Buckeyes’ class had the green light any time he wanted to announce. Lockhart knew that and still decided to wait until July 6, his grandmother’s birthday, to announce. His grandma has been an inspiration to him throughout his life and announcing on her birthday was a way for him to show his appreciation.

Lockhart gives Ohio State versatility at cornerback and once he arrives on campus he will learn the nickel position.