There are few things less certain than high school football recruiting. On Friday, Ohio State offered 2015 Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio) defensive tackle Rob Landers. Today, on the heels of a surprise official visit to Columbus, the former West Virginia commit is number 24 in the Buckeyes' suddenly-almost-full "Elite '15."
A 6-foot-2, 295-pound spark plug at defensive tackle, Landers is built in the same mold as current Buckeye lineman Michael Bennett. He's not the big run-stuffing defensive tackle that a Christian Wilkins is, but Landers, who committed to West Virginia in October, has spent his senior season making life very tough on offenses around Ohio with an above-average first step and a non-stop motor.
The Landers File
- Size: 6-2/295
- Position: DT
- Class: 2015
- School: Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio)
- Composite Rank: 71 (DT)
- Composite Rating: ★★★
With only a handful of offers from MAC schools, West Virginia and now Ohio State, Landers has stayed below-the-radar for most of the year. One source in Columbus said that while he may not be a player who will "wow" you, there's plenty to like about the country's 71st-ranked defensive tackle.
BMMMMM!!!! #Elite15
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) December 16, 2014
"He's new on the radar," the source shared with Eleven Warriors. "He's a little short, but gets off the ball really well and has a quick initial burst. He's an above-average athlete who scored a touchdown in the state championship game against St. Edward's and he's pretty well-developed already. He can be a solid player a position we need."
Landers becomes the second defensive tackle in Ohio State's class, joining Detroit Cass Tech two-way lineman Josh Alabi. The Buckeyes are hoping to still land one more at the position in 2015 from the group of Terry Beckner, Jr., Christian Wilkins or Neville Gallimore.
