The large portion of Ohio State’s class of 2022, which ranks as the No. 4 class in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, signed their national letters of intent during the Early Signing Period. This doesn’t mean, however, that Ohio State is done with its class.
Ohio State received letters from 18 future Buckeyes – all of who can be read about at the Buckeye Sports Bulletin Early Signing Period Hub – but head coach Ryan Day indicated that Ohio State will be looking to sign at least two of three more recruits in this class, likely on the offensive and defensive lines, where the class could use some additional numbers.
“We’ll probably end up signing 20-plus guys when it’s all said and done,” he said Wednesday. “There are some other guys we have communication with who we feel good about going into February. There is still a lot to be done in the next month.”
With the Early Signing Period over as of Friday, we’ll take a look at additional targets still on Ohio State’s board before National Signing Day. Beyond these targets, the Buckeyes could also look for some additional help at safety and at linebacker.
Duncanville (Texas) Four-Star DE Omari Abor
Abor (6-4, 240), rated as the No. 38 overall prospect and No. 4 defensive end in 2022, is down to a top five of Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Texas and Texas A&M.
He took an official visit to Ohio State on June 4 but has since taken official visits to LSU (June 11) and Alabama (June 25), as well as some unofficial visits to Texas A&M (July 31, Oct. 23). Ohio State also made in-home visits early in December.
247Sports has Ohio State as the leader for the edge rusher, with six crystal ball predictions in for the Buckeyes to land him. He plans to announce his decision at the Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 2.
Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco Four-Star OL Earnest Greene
Greene (6-5, 330), rated as the No. 40 overall prospect and No. 2 interior lineman in 2022, has a top four of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Texas.
He’s taken official visits to his top four schools as well as USC on Dec. 12, who appears to have taken a late jump in his recruitment. Day visited Greene in-home on Dec. 1.
As it stands, the Buckeyes are unlikely to end up with Greene, as both crystal ball projections are in favor of the Bulldogs. Greene plans to announce his decision at the All-American Bowl on Jan. 8.
Hammond (Wisc.) Four-Star OL Carson Hinzman
Hinzman (6-4, 280), rated as the No. 134 overall prospect and No. 6 interior lineman in 2022, is down to Ohio State and Wisconsin.
He has been tight-lipped in his recruitment, as the lone crystal ball projection was issued over two years ago to the Badgers.
He’s appeared to favor both schools at different times, and while he reportedly was set to make a decision during the early period, he has since decided to push things back to February. Hinzman hosted coaches from both schools for in-home visits in December.
“I’d say it’s about as neck-and-neck as it can get,” he told 247Sports’ Evan Flood earlier in December. “I love both of them. If I could go to both, I would. Man, they’ve both done a tremendous job of recruiting me. I’ve gotta hand it to them.”
Rachno Santa Margarita (Calif.) Catholic Four-Star DL Hero Kanu
Kanu, rated as the No. 105 overall prospect and No. 18 defensive lineman in 2022, has a top five of Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma.
Kanu has taken official visits to all five of his top schools and also spent some time with Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson on Nov. 30.
Ohio State appears the favorite to land Kanu, with all three crystal ball predictions sending him to the Buckeyes. Like Greene, Kanu is set to announce at the All-American Bowl on Jan. 8, though he reportedly was expected to secretly sign with a team during the early period.
Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove Four-Star DL Christen Miller
Miller (6-4, 285), the No. 107 prospect and No. 19 defensive lineman in 2022, has a top three of Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State.
Miller visited Ohio State on Sept. 11 and welcomed Day and Johnson for a home visit on Dec. 7, but things don’t appear to be trending Ohio State’s direction in Miller’s recruitment. All but one crystal ball prediction has Miller ending up at Georgia. He also plans to commit at the All-American Bowl on Jan. 8.
