Early signing day updates: Ohio State solidifies highly ranked recruiting class of 2021
The start of the early signing period on Wednesday marks the first day in which Ohio State’s football program is able to sign players to letters of intent and solidify a recruiting class for 2021 that is among the highest-ranked in the country.
In the pre-dawn hours in Columbus, the Buckeyes announced the signings of 11 of 21 previously committed high school recruits, beginning a drama-free morning. By 11 a.m., all of their commitments were signed, capped by Denzel Burke, a two-way star from Scottsdale, Arizona. Below is a rundown of the prospects who officially joined Ohio State.
Jayden Ballard
Position: Wide receiver
Measurables: 6 feet 2, 175 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 8 receiver, No. 66 overall
High school: Massillon Washington
The skinny: Ballard is the first in-state receiver to sign with Ohio State since Jaylen Harris in 2017.
Denzel Burke
Position: Defensive back
Measurables: 6 feet, 189 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 8 athlete, No. 192 overall
High school: Saguaro (Scottsdale, Arizona)
The skinny: While a two-way star in high school and lining up at receiver, Burke is expected to end up in the Buckeyes’ secondary, primarily recruited by defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs.
Reid Carrico
Position: Linebacker
Measurables: 6 feet 3, 225 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 5 inside linebacker, No. 84 overall
High school: Ironton (Ironton)
The skinny: A standout at running back and linebacker, he helped lead Ironton to consecutive Division V state championship game appearances.
Ben Christman
Position: Offensive lineman
Measurables: 6 feet 6, 299 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 6 guard, No. 124 overall
High school: Revere (Richfield)
The skinny: An early target for the Buckeyes, Christman committed to Ohio State in June of 2019, a couple of months before his junior season in high school.
Jantzen Dunn
Position: Defensive back
Measurables: 6 feet 2, 178 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 12 safety, No. 203 overall
High school: South Warren (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
The skinny: Dunn is the first prospect from Kentucky to sign with Ohio State since cornerback Rodjay Burns in 2016.
Emeka Egbuka
Position: Wide receiver
Measurables: 6 feet 1, 190 pounds
247Sports Composite: 5 stars, No. 1 receiver, No. 9 overall
High school: Steilacoom (Steilacoom, Washington)
The skinny: Egbuka is the third five-star receiver in as many years to sign with Ohio State, following Julian Fleming and Garrett Wilson in the previous classes. Like Fleming, he is also the top receiver in his class.
Mike Hall
Position: Defensive lineman
Measurables: 6 feet 3, 290 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 4 defensive tackle, No. 49 overall
High school: Streetsboro
The skinny: The recruiting profile for Hall has risen sharply since he committed in February. He was then the No. 232 before becoming a top-50 overall recruit.
Jordan Hancock
Position: Defensive back
Measurables: 6 feet 1, 170 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 4 cornerback, No. 67 overall
High school: North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Georgia)
The skinny: Previously committed to Clemson, Hancock flipped to the Buckeyes in July in a recruiting win over their playoff nemesis.
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Position: Wide receiver
Measurables: 6 feet 3, 190 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 15 receiver, No. 91 overall
High school: St. Joseph's Prep School (Philadelphia)
The skinny: The son of Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison also was a high school teammate of Kyle McCord, the five-star quarterback who also signed with the Buckeyes on Wednesday.
Sam Hart
Position: Tight end
Measurables: 6 feet 3, 190 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars, No. 15 tight end, No. 390 overall
High school: Cherokee Trail (Aurora, Colorado)
The skinny: Though one of only three three-star recruits in this class, Hart could be asked to make an early impact as the Buckeyes are guaranteed to return only two scholarship tight ends.
TreVeyon Henderson
Position: Running back
Measurables: 5 feet 11, 195 pounds
247Sports Composite: 5 stars, No. 1 running back, No. 24 overall
High school: Hopewell (Hopewell, Virginia)
The skinny: The Buckeyes made sure to add a five-star running back in this cycle after Bijan Robinson spurned them for Texas last year.
Donovan Jackson
Position: Offensive guard
Measurables: 6 foot 4, 308 pounds
247Sports Composite: 5 stars, No. 1 guard, No. 17 overall
High school: Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas)
The skinny: Jackson has the frame, strength and agility to dominate. He should compete for playing time early in his career.
Jakailin Johnson
Position: Cornerback
Measurables: 6 feet 1, 175 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 3 cornerback, No. 47 overall
High school: DeSmet Jesuit (St. Louis)
The skinny: Johnson needs to add some bulk but he has superb quickness and is willing to be physical. He looks comfortable in both man-to-man and zone coverage.
Jaylen Johnson
Position: Safety
Measurables: 6 feet 1, 200 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars, No. 29 safety, No. 411 overall
High school: La Salle (Cincinnati)
The skinny: Johnson projects to be a safety/linebacker hybrid with the speed to play in the secondary and the size and instincts to play closer to the line.
Kyle McCord
Position: Quarterback
Measurables: 6 feet 3, 215 pounds
247Sports Composite: 5 stars, No. 3 quarterback, No. 25 overall
High school: St. Joseph’s Prep School (Philadelphia)
The skinny: He’s a pocket passer with good size, a strong, accurate arm and excellent intelligence. McCord will have plenty of competition, but his skills and smarts will make him formidable.
Zen Michalski
Position: Offensive tackle
Measurables: 6 feet 6½, 288 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 23 offensive tackle, No. 318 overall
High school: Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs, Indiana)
The skinny: Michalski continues to grow into his body and that will continue. He’s an excellent athlete who needs refinement, but he’s considered a hard worker.
Jesse Mirco
Position: Punter
Measurables: 6 feet 3, 200 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars, No. 5 punter, unranked overall
Previous school: ProKick Australia (Melbourne, Australia)
The skinny: If Mirco proves to be anywhere close to ProKick’s last OSU recruit , Cameron Johnston, the Buckeyes will be quite happy to have dipped Down Under again.
Evan Pryor
Position: Running back
Measurables: 5 feet 10, 190 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 4 running back, No. 81 overall
High school: William Amos Hough (Cornelius, North Carolina)
The skinny: He’ll join TreVeyon Henderson as new entries into the backfield mix. He changes directions well, has excellent speed and has shown pass-catching ability.
Jack Sawyer
Position: Defensive end
Measurables: 6 feet 5, 248 pounds
247Sports Composite: 5 stars, No. 3 defensive end, No. 4 overall
High school: Pickerington North
The skinny: Sawyer didn’t play this fall after recovering from knee surgery, but he’s the top player in Ohio State’s class for a reason. He’s already got a college-ready body and has all the ability to make an early impact.
Andre Turrentine
Position: Safety
Measurables: 6 feet, 175 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 9 safety, No. 167 overall
High school: Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.)
The skinny: Turrentine has the versatility to play cornerback as well. He’s a natural playmaker with great instincts.
Tyleik Williams
Position: Defensive tackle
Measurables: 6 feet 3, 330 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 12 defensive tackle, No. 161 overall
High school: Unity Reed (Manassas, Va.)
The skinny: Williams has excellent feet and explosiveness for his size but needs to refine his technique, particularly staying low.
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