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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Michael Chen

Ohio State football 2024 recruiting wish list: Who finishes the class?

At the current moment, Ohio State football has one of the best 2024 recruiting class in the country.

The 14 commits have the Buckeyes ranked as the No. 4 best collective group according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings. It’s extremely heavy on the offensive side of the ball.

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Three sure players on defense and one may be in athlete Sam Williams-Dixon, so this wish list is going to be very defensive-minded. For this, I won’t get too much into prospects where Ohio State doesn’t stand a chance. The majority of this list will be prospects that have high interest and have either officially visited for will in the near future.

Find out below which 11 prospects would complete the Buckeye dream class in 2024. (All rankings mentioned are according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.)

Defensive end Dylan Stewart

Breakdown

The No. 9 overall defensive end resides in an area the Buckeyes have had historically good success recruiting, the DMV. Stewart just officially visited Ohio State this past weekend and has one set up for South Carolina coming up. After missing out on some big-time end rushers last cycle, there is a huge need in 2024.

Defensive end Eddrick Houston

Breakdown

Houston visited Columbus this past weekend also and multiple crystal ball picks went in for him to select the Buckeyes. There were rumors he would cancel his visit to Alabama, but it looks like that won’t be the case. Houston is set to make his verbal commitment on his birthday, August 22.

Cornerback Kobe Black

Breakdown

Black, like the two prospects before him, visited last weekend. The rumors are that the No. 23 overall player likes the Buckeyes but a Texas visit is looming. If the Longhorns don’t show him enough, he could very well end up in the 2024 Buckeye class.

Offensive tackle Brandon Baker

Breakdown

The top offensive tackle in the country and No. 26 overall player was in Columbus on the weekend of June 9th. The visit went very well but he also just took a trip to Texas and has Georgia up next this weekend. With four other linemen committed (Ian Moore, Deontae Armstrong, Marc Nave, and Devontae Armstrong) adding Baker would be a cherry on top of the group.

Defensive tackle Dominick McKinley

Breakdown

McKinley visited the same weekend as Baker and it was tough to get a read on where he is leaning. He is the NO. 36 overall player in the class, so plenty of other schools are going after him. McKinley will also be visiting Texas this weekend.

Cornerback Bryce West

Breakdown

The top in-state target is one of the best in the country, the No. 49 overall player. West will visit Columbus this weekend and it’s a classic Ohio State vs. Michigan battle for his commitment.

Cornerback Aaron Scott

Breakdown

Right behind West is Scott, ranked a few spots below at No. 54 nationally. Their recruitments are extremely similar, both considering the same two schools and visiting Ohio State at the same time. Could this be a packaged deal?

Defensive end Marquise Lightfoot

Breakdown

Following Lightfoot’s visit to Columbus earlier in the month, there were a lot of positive vibes about him landing at Ohio State. Those haven’t slowed down although he continues to visit other schools like USC, Miami, and Illinois. Lightfoot is ranked as the No. 70 overall prospect in the nation.

Linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa

Breakdown

The No. 100 ranked prospect is pretty much down to the Buckeyes and Notre Dame. He took a visit to South Bend last weekend and will make his way to Columbus this weekend. The visit will go a long way in deciding where he lands.

Edge rusher Booker Pickett Jr.

Breakdown

Pickett Jr. is taking things a bit slower than other prospects, not making any of his visits during the summer. The No. 129 overall prospect’s uncle Ryan, was a star for the Buckeyes and he has unofficially visited. His father did play for Miami, so there are ties to both schools. Expect an official visit later this year.

Final breakdown

Breakdown

Yes, this is extremely subjective and might not happen but this is a wishlist. I went very heaving on the defensive line, as I feel like there is a massive need at the position. Could there have been a swap for one of them for another player? Certainly, wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan fits that mold. As does KJ Bolden.

Whatever ends up happening this class should still rank among the top in the country. Some of these aforementioned players will end up signing with the Buckeyes, others won’t but if the staff lands 60% of these prospects, it will be a grand slam.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter.

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