Often times it seems like next year's recruiting class is the one that is viewed as potentially being a school or coach's best ever. Buckeye fans are in a unique and envious position, as both the 2016 and 2017 classes are currently ranked No. 1 in the national recruiting rankings.
The 2016 class only has a few spots remaining and should find itself in the top five come February. The 2017 haul truly has a chance to be one of the best ever. The class already has ten commitments – including a pair of five-star prospects – as the allure of Urban Meyer is as strong as ever. As we sit here today, the Buckeyes' 2017 class would be ranked inside the top 20 of the 2016 rankings, ahead of recruiting powerhouses like Texas A&M and Auburn.
We've talked a lot about a number of players who are likely to end up signing with Ohio State in 2017 – guys like Fort Lauderdale's Trevon Grimes and Cleveland's Jaylen Harris. Let's take a look at five others on offense who could ultimately end up in Columbus.
TREY SERMON • RB • MARIETTA, GA • HIGHLIGHTS
Last week we touched on Urban Meyer's success at the running back position and how it has improved since his days at Florida. The 2017 class already has one back committed—Akron's Todd Sibley—and it looks like the Buckeyes are hoping to add another talented tailback to the mix.
Trey Sermon, the nation's fourth-ranked running back, doesn't do a lot of talking, but things certainly seem to be trending in the right direction for Ohio State. After visiting Columbus for Friday Night Lights and subsequently being offered, the Buckeye drumbeats have steadily been increasing. Sermon recently told SEC Country that five teams are standing out the most; making it clear that the Urban Meyer will again be going head-to-head with the SEC's best.
One notable exception to that list was the in-state Bulldogs. However, Georgia will be a team—if not the team—the Buckeyes will have to fight off until February of 2017. Sermon is expected to visit Athens this weekend for the Bulldogs showdown with the Crimson Tide.
Here's my top 10 pic.twitter.com/jv4yW4ZbEt
— Trey Sermon (@treyera) August 6, 2015
KHALAN LABORN • RB • VIRGINIA BEACH, VA • HIGHLIGHTS
The Buckeyes had another running back target on campus in July as Virginia's Khalan Laborn (Ocean Lakes) took in Friday Night Lights. Checking in at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, Laborn is a bit more of an all-purpose back. The Buckeyes offered in February and right now the Ocean Lakes star lists the Hokies and Seminoles as his top two schools. Having grown up in North Carolina, his family ties to the area are keeping the Tarheels in the discussion as well.
Back in August there were some reports that a decision could come in the near future, but Laborn seems to be backing off of that timeline. Two weeks ago, in speaking with 247sports.com analyst Josh Newberg ($$), he indicated that a decision won't be coming anytime soon and will probably take place after his senior season.
TYJON LINDSEY • WR • LAS VEGAS, NV • HIGHLIGHTS
The search for a slot receiver seems to be coming down to a couple of 2017 standouts. Back in June, it looked like IMG Academy's Emmanuel Greene could pull the trigger at any moment. Since then the Buckeyes have made a move on five-star Tyjon Lindsey; extending an offer in August.
As a high-school junior, the 5-foot-9, 160-pounder is already one of the country's top slot receivers. For the Buckeyes, there are circumstances surrounding this recruitment that could make it a tall task. The Bishop Gorman squad is led by 2017 quarterback Tate Martell, who verbally committed to Texas A&M in August. Lindsey and Martell's relationship extends way beyond the football field, as the Martell family serves as official guardians to Lindsey, whose family resides in San Diego.
Package deals rarely seem to work out, but this may be one of those rare cases. Regardless, the Buckeyes have turned up the pursuit of the wideout, reaching out to him when the clock struck midnight on September 1st, signaling the start of the junior contact period.
#OhioState was first to contact the best slot WR in the country, the TD Maker Tyjon Lindsey from Bishop Gorman: http://t.co/35dE8HIH9X
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) September 1, 2015
COLE KMET • TE • ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL • HIGHLIGHTS
Two tight ends are already in the fold for 2016, and the Buckeyes will look to bring in another in 2017. Cole Kmet (Saint Viator) is planning on deciding soon, and the Buckeyes and Irish are both in hot pursuit of the 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end.
Kmet camped at Ohio State in June and left with a Buckeye offer. He and his family returned to Columbus for last weekend's win over Western Michigan. The plan originally was to visit for the Penn State game, but the desire to get a decision out of the way prompted them to make the trip a little sooner. The Kmet family traveled to South Bend in early September to watch the Irish square off against the Longhorns.
As things seem to be winding down, both staffs appear to be cautiously optimistic. Saint Viator is a Roman Catholic school and the proximity to South Bend could work in Notre Dame's favor. Either way, we should have an answer soon enough. Depending on how things pan out, the Ohio State staff could turn up the heat on another in-state target.
MATT DOTSON • TE • CINCINNATI, OHIO • HIGHLIGHTS
Not many schools are lucky enough to have a highly sought-after tight end. Archbishop Moeller in Cincinnati currently has two of them; one of whom—2016's Jake Hausmann—has already pledged to the Buckeyes.
Ohio State offered 2017 tight end Matt Dotson back in June, and he's made multiple trips to campus since that time. Initially thought to be another Buckeye vs. Irish battle, things changed this summer when Notre Dame landed Brock Wright, the nation's top tight end for the 2017 class. Dotson's recruitment seems pretty open right now, but it's likely to come down to Ohio State and Tennessee.
The Volunteers actually made a move on Dotson before the in-state Buckeyes, extending an offer in late March. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder has visited Knoxville four times since the spring, most recently for their home opener against Oklahoma. Dotson is planning visits to Ohio State, Penn State, and Kentucky this fall. He recently returned to the field after an offseason wrist surgery.
