Football Recruiting: Defensive Targets in the 2015 Class

By Mike Rockstedt on October 23, 2014 at 2:15 pm
Joshua Norwood
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As players take their official visits, room in Ohio State football's "Elite 15" recruiting class is shrinking.

On Monday, Birm and I predicted the rest of the offensive side of the ball for the class of 2015. We came to a consensus on every player – I just had one more recruit in the class. Now we delve into the defensive side of the ball, where remaining spots are rare and precious.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Ohio State has an embarrassment of riches along the defensive line. Between those tearing it up on the field and those waiting in the wings, it's a who's who of four- and five-star recruits. This year's recruiting class has four commitments on the defensive line: Jashon Cornell, Dre'Mont Jones, Joshua Alabi and Rashod Berry.

Cornell is the highest rated of the bunch, but the other three show versatility. Jones splits time between defensive end and tight end for his school, St. Ignatius. Alabi can play offensive guard, though the staff really likes him as a defensive player. Rashod Berry, the most recent addition to the class, is a raw prospect with a high ceiling. Depending on his development, he could end up at several positions.

With four linemen in the class, there aren't many players left on the board besides Neville Gallimore and Josh Sweat. A commitment from one of them is a "must-take" scenario, and Birm has Gallimore in the class.

LINEBACKER

A few weeks ago, any linebacker speculation would have centered on Jerome Baker. Now that Baker has renounced Florida for Ohio State, there is no need for another linebacker in the 2015 class.

Ohio's top player, Justin Hilliard, has been the centerpiece of the class since committing to the Buckeyes in July. The second linebacker, Dublin Scioto's Nick Conner, earned an offer at camp and committed soon after. Jerome Baker remained in contact with OSU staff throughout his commitment to Florida, and the Cleveland native flipped to the Buckeyes on Tuesday.

The Ohio State staff likes their all-Ohio linebacker trio. Much like the defensive line, position depth makes it difficult to accept a commitment from anyone else.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

There are five commits in the secondary, and Ohio State is looking to add one more. The Buckeyes have a few options for the remaining spot, especially if one of the current commitments flips to another school.

The five already committed are Tyler Green, Denzel Ward, Eric Glover Williams, Jamel Dean, and Carlton Davis.

One of the nation's best safeties is Rashad Roundtree, a talented Georgia prospect. Most crystal ball predictions, mine included, have him committing to Georgia. The only dissenter is Jeremy Birmingham, who thinks he is going to Ohio State.

It does help Ohio State that Roundtree is taking his last official visit in Columbus. Roundtree will be at next Saturday's game against Illinois, and at some later date he will make a decision. I'm not ready to switch my pick, but maybe a really good visit could change things.

Another prospect to keep an eye on is Joshua Norwood. He is committed to Cincinnati, but he has a Buckeye offer and talks to the staff regularly. Norwood has not set an official visit, but look for him to take one this fall fall. Birm has predicted that Norwood will join Roundtree in the class.

Another top prospect set to visit Columbus is Michigan commit Garrett Taylor. One of the nation's best corners, Taylor will be on campus for the Indiana game on Nov. 22. I think Taylor likes Ohio State; if the visit goes well, I believe he'll be in the class.

My last prediction for the class is Mykelti Williams. One of Indiana's top prospects, Williams visited for the Cincinnati game but did not earn an offer. If the offer comes – I believe it will – he'll be in the class.

The last bit of business concerns a potential subtraction, Carlton Davis. Davis is visiting Miami next month for its game against Florida State. I think he will flip to Miami; if he does, it opens up another spot in the class.

Defensive Predictions
Birm DL Neville Gallimore DB Rashad Roundtree DB Joshua Norwood
Rockstedt DB Garrett Taylor DB Mykelti Williams
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