Here are five things we learned about Ohio State as the early signing period began Wednesday:
The recruiting class held together
Another loss to rival Michigan on Saturday invited questions about coach Ryan Day’s future in Columbus.
But the speculation did not prompt many of the class of 2025 recruits to jump ship at the 11th hour. Only five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord, after months of flirting with other schools, reneged on his verbal commitment, ending up at Oregon.
There was enough stability that the Buckeyes also flipped four-star running back Anthony Rogers from Alabama and four-star defensive end Epi Sitanilei from UCLA.
“There was nobody flinching,” Day said. “A lot of these guys nowadays have found some balance, not riding the roller coaster, understanding of what comes with being Ohio State and not diving into the extremes of it all. It’s a great sign.”
Day, who expects to return next season and received public support from athletic director Ross Bjork earlier this week, maintained he never had to reassure recruits about his status.
“It never came up,” Day said.
After holding commitments from 25 prospects entering the three-day signing period, the Buckeyes signed 23 of them to scholarship agreements, then added Rogers and Sitanilei to the fold.
The lone commit who remained unsigned by late Wednesday afternoon was Jarquez Carter, a four-star defensive tackle from Florida who was scheduled to participate in a signing ceremony at his high school on Thursday.
It was relatively drama free with the Buckeyes in line for another top-five recruiting class.
The offensive line haul is limited
The Buckeyes’ signing class contained three offensive linemen, a group of four-stars including Jake Cook, Carter Lowe and Jayvon McFadden.
Lowe is the highest-ranked of the bunch as a top-10 offensive tackle from Toledo.
“All three of those guys we feel great about,” Day said.
But the numbers are less than ideal after the Buckeyes signed at least four offensive linemen in each of the last three previous recruiting cycles.
“We got to make sure we have the numbers that we need,” Day said, “and make sure we have the depth that we need.”
The Buckeyes’ current depth issues on the line partly stem having signed only three linemen in the class of 2021.
There is recourse left for Ohio State, which could attempt to flip a commitment or dip deeper into the transfer portal when the winter window opens next week.
“In today’s day and age, it’s a little different for how you put the roster together,” Day said. “It’s not just about the high school guys.”
Heavy attrition on the line has been inevitable this offseason. Eligibility expires for three of the five opening-day starters. Left tackle Josh Simmons is also set to leave early for the NFL draft.
The Buckeyes will need to be active.
There is an Ohio quarterback
Few names in the class are bigger than Tavien St. Clair.
That’s because St. Clair is a rare homegrown passer. Along with being one of the Buckeyes’ two five-star signees, he is from Bellefontaine, making him the first scholarship quarterback since Joe Burrow in 2015 to sign with Ohio State.
St. Clair, who had been committed to the Buckeyes for 16 months before putting pen to paper, seemed to benefit from being only an hour’s drive from campus.
Day said St. Clair attended nearly every spring practice and game this year, accelerating his preparation to move to another level in the sport.
“It has certainly allowed him to be around this more,” Day said, “to get a feel for it more and to be more prepared when he walks in the door.”
Day added, “He’ll walk through the door more prepared than if he was across the country.”
Alabama was in play
There has never been an Alabama recruiting pipeline for the Buckeyes.
Before the arrival of running back Quinshon Judkins earlier this year, the last Ohio State scholarship player from the state was defensive tackle Donte Wheat in 1981.
But the Buckeyes signed two Alabama natives in this class between defensive end Zion Grady and Rogers, who had been committed to the Crimson Tide until two weeks ago.
Day pointed to the success of Judkins and ties of first-year running backs coaches Carlos Locklyn as factors. Locklyn is from Montgomery.
“We’re hustling,” Day said. “We’re working down there. There’s really good football in Alabama.”
What Day left unsaid is that the state’s flagship program also experienced a coaching transition.
The retirement of legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban in January allowed the Buckeyes to bring in safety Caleb Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin as transfers.
Nearly a year later, it’s safe to say it opened a door in high school recruiting as well.
James Laurinaitis had a strong debut
Following his promotion from graduate assistant to linebackers coach earlier this year, Laurinaitis made an immediate impact on the recruiting trail.
The Buckeyes signed three linebackers, a group including four-stars Riley Pettijohn and Tarvos Alford and three-star Eli Lee, their largest at the position since 2020.
It’s also a decorated trio.
The 247Sports composite rankings have Pettijohn as the No. 2 linebacker in the nation and Alford at No. 8. The Buckeyes held off a late push from Miami to keep Alford, a native of Florida, in the class.
Day praised Laurinaitis and noted his experience, having been an All-America linebacker at Ohio State in the late 2000s before spending eight years in the NFL.
“He brings credibility,” Day said, “because he played the position at a high-level here and then in the NFL. Making the decision to make him a full-time coach, you can see what’s going on in recruiting”
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com.
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