Ohio State football is pushing to land the No. 1 recruiting class for 2024 and some looming commitments could help get them there. Who is on the line?
Ohio State has the second-best recruiting class in the nation, but they're aiming to overtake Georgia for the recruiting crown in 2024.
To do that, the Buckeyes need recruiting to pick up. They haven't secured a commitment in August yet, but that doesn't mean some big ones aren't coming.
Here's a look at commits who are or could be on the clock in August for Ohio State.
Ohio State football commitment prospect for August: Jeremiah McClellan
Ohio State may not have to wait long for their first August commitment. Four-star wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan has a commitment date scheduled for Aug. 13 and he's heavily tipped to pick the Buckeyes.
McClellan made official visits to LSU and Oregon in June but Ohio State remains the favorite to pick up his pledge.
The 6-foot, 190-pound receiver hails from Saint Louis and ranks No. 108 in the 247Sports composite.
If he announces for the Buckcyes on Sunday, he'd give them an even more loaded wide receiver class. Five-star talents Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham are already committed to head to Columbus in 2024.
It's safe to say Ohio State's run of elite wide receiver play isn't going to be ending any time soon.
Ohio State football commitment prospect for August: Eddrick Houston
The Buckeyes already have four five-star commitments in the class of 2024, giving them the best average rating per commit in the national. That could get even higher if Eddrick Houston gives Ryan Day the thumbs up on Aug. 22.
The five-star defensive end out of Buford, Georgia has visited Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, USC and Ohio State on official visits this summer. It certainly looks like the visit to Columbus left a strong impression, enough to put the Buckeyes at the front of the line.
Houston ranks No. 22 nationally in the 247Sports composite, fitting in fourth among defensive linemen and fifth in the state of Georgia. He starre for Buford during an 11-1 season with 10 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 15 pressures. Getting him out from under Kirby Smart's nose would be a huge victory for Ryan Day.
The Buckeyes already have a five-star commitment for the interior defensive line in Justin Scott. Houston would give them a formidable pair in the trenches.
Ohio State football's next commit on road to No. 1 class: Brandon Baker
While the Buckeyes clearly lead for Jeremiah McClellan and Eddrick Houston, they still have work to do with Brandon Baker, the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the class.
Baker hails from Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei, but the Buckeyes aren't in a battle with hometown USC. Instead, they're facing rising competition from Texas and the ever looming threat of Oregon. He visited Georgia in June so they're also on the radar along with Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee and Washington, who made his Top 10 in June.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound lineman ranks No. 21 in the 247Sports composite. If he decided to join the Buckeyes, he'd be fifth offensive lineman in the class, but the only one ranked in the Top 100. He'd be Ohio State's first five-star offensive lineman since Donovan Jackson in the class of 2021.
Baker doesn't have a commitment date set, so Ohio State could get an answer by the end of the month. Realistically, they may have to wait through the fall to figure out if their recruiting push has been enough. One thing is not in doubt: Baker is a priority.
