Finding the right fit for your college football program isn't just about what happens on the field, but off it as well. Today, Ohio State added a key piece. How will that commitment impact the Buckeyes?
A week ago, Nick Bosa embarked on a tour of Florida and Florida State, visits designed to help him finalize his college choice. While most expected Ohio State to be the choice for some time now, Bosa wanted to explore a few other schools just to be sure.
He's sure. Bosa committed to Ohio State Thursday, becoming the 18th-member of the Buckeyes impressive 2016 recruiting class. What does this addition do for an already big-time group? Let's take a look.
ON THE FIELD
Unlike most high school prospects, we – the public– have a baseline on what to expect from Bosa when he comes to Ohio State. His brother is the country's top collegiate defensive lineman and although Nick isn't as "long" as Joey, he might be even more explosive off the ball.
"I've heard that (Luke Fickell) says he's better than Joey was at this point," one source close to the recruitment shared. "I think that's a lot to say, but he's excellent. Not as long as Joey was/is because he's probably about 6-foot-3, but he has a lot of the same traits. That great strength, plays with great leverage and hands and he just overwhelms linemen at the point of attack but still has good quickness off the ball."
The praise for his skill-set didn't stop there.
"I've seen linemen whiff on him because he's already by them," the source continued. "I could see him playing both at end and at a three technique in pass rush situations as he adds size, too. Joey was still a bit raw at this stage with all that size and athleticism, Nick is already really well developed and I think is more of a sure thing at this point to be a very very good player, even if his ceiling isn't as 'high.' When you consider that Joey could be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft next year, that's pretty good."
IN THE CLASS
Bosa's commitment is the 18th in the class for Ohio State, and according to 247Sports.com, the Buckeyes now have the country's top-ranked 2016 class. He is the third defensive end in the class, joining 247Sports five-star Jonathon Cooper and Terrell Hall, each of whom are ranked inside the Top 10 at the defensive end position. However, just because they're all listed as defensive ends, their individual skill-sets and specialities allow the trio to potentially be on the field together because Bosa's versatility means, especially on passing downs, that he could move inside while Cooper and Hall man the edge.
Bosa's pledge means that the focus now along the defensive line is simple: get one more top defensive tackle – someone like Antwuan Jackson, who is visiting Ohio State this weekend, perhaps?
THE INTANGIBLES
Bosa comes from talent-rich St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, a hotbed of recruiting and a school that's been a priority for Ohio State for years. With big names like 2017 five-star Trevon Grimes still on the way, the Buckeyes' presence at STA continues to be impossible for the big name programs in the south to ignore.
Nick, like his brother, is borderline shy off the field, but he's a great teammate and someone that will go to battle every weekend for his program. He's a "face of the program" type of player and another major building block for the future of the Buckeyes' football team.
