Ohio State is still working to put the finishing touches on its 2017 recruiting class, but things have already started heating up for 2018. Following the commitments of Brian Snead and Emory Jones, we looked ahead at who we think are some of the staff's top remaining offensive targets.
Today, the focus is on the other side of the ball.
Jaiden Woodbey • Safety • Upland, CA • Composite Ranking: No. 24
A loaded 2017 haul could very well mean that the following year sees a much smaller group of defensive backs. The Buckeyes offered Jaiden Woodbey – a composite five-star – in mid-June and the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder immediately labeled them as the frontrunner for his services.
Woodbey has been trying to make it to Columbus ever since the offer, but thus far has not made the cross-country trip. He's a teammate of five-star 2017 Buckeye pledge Wyatt Davis, and that certainly won't hurt Ohio State's chances.
The nation's third-rated safety was on a bit of a commitment watch earlier this summer as many speculated he could be the first to hop on board for 2018. At this point, while we continue to wait for the visit to happen, Ohio State and USC appear to be the frontrunners. His father, Donnell, played safety for the Trojans in the early 90s.
Dallas Gant • LB • Toledo, OH • Composite Ranking: No. 88
The state's top-rated linebacker – St. John's Jesuit's Dallas Gant – was in town for Friday Night Lights and the four-star spoke highly of several Midwestern powers. Ohio State, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Penn State were all identified as schools at the top of his list.
At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Gant definitely has the look of a future collegiate linebacker. He has no timeline for a decision and has indicated that he'd like to check out some schools this fall. After landing an offer at Notre Dame's Irish Invasion camp this summer, he mentioned the possibility of a mid-September visit to South Bend for the game against Michigan State.
Right now, it's looking like this one will come down to the Buckeyes and Irish.
Christopher Oats • LB • Cincinnati, OH • Composite Ranking: No. 195
The No. 2 linebacker in the state resides in the Queen City, and Christopher Oats' recruitment could potentially come to an end rather quickly even though there currently is no decision timeline. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Oats has a bit of a Joshua Perry look to him.
The four-star continues to list Ohio State as his leader with Michigan State and Oklahoma rounding out his top three. He made two trips to Columbus this summer – with family in tow – and is expected back at some point this fall.
Oats is also scheduled to be in Norman, Oklahoma, on Sept. 17 for the showdown between the Buckeyes and Sooners.
Palaie Gaoteote • LB • Las Vegas, NV • Composite Ranking: No. 53
The top outside linebacker in America plays for another national powerhouse that is quickly turning into a bit of an Ohio State pipeline. Palaie Gaoteote is extremely close to 2017 Ohio State commit Haskell Garrett. The two are actually cousins, and that could be a big reason the Buckeyes currently hold 100 percent of Gaoteote's crystal ball picks.
The big question at linebacker could end up being how many Luke Fickell and Co. elect to bring in for 2018. With two in-state targets already holding offers, it would appear that three is a safe bet, but it gets a little tricky when you consider that Gant, Oats, and Gaoteote all currently project at outside linebacker – much like Antjuan Simmons for 2017.
Taron Vincent • DT • Bradenton, FL • Composite Ranking: No. 14
Along with the aforementioned Jaiden Woodbey, IMG Academy's Taron Vincent had been the other name tossed around as the potential first commit for 2018. The 6-foot-2, 285-pounder has consistently stated that the Buckeyes are his leader, and he reaffirmed that on Wednesday at IMG's media day event.
The nation's top defensive tackle camped at Ohio State in June but was unable to make a return trip in July – a trip that many thought could lead to a commitment. Vincent originally hails from Maryland and has cited his relationship with Larry Johnson as a major factor in his affinity toward the Buckeyes.
Matthew Jones • DT • Brooklyn, NY • Composite Ranking: No. 42
Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School has been pretty good to the Buckeyes lately and they're looking that way again in 2018. During the recruitment of Curtis Samuel, Ohio State built quite the relationship with the Dutchmen coaching staff. That relationship continued to grow during this past year with the recruitment of Jahsen Wint.
At 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Matthew Jones is one of the country's top two-way linemen. It remains to be seen if his future will be on offense or defense, but he's definitely a guy the coaching staff is chasing. Jones was in Columbus for Friday Night Lights and surprised some when he told 247Sports' recruiting analyst Alex Gleitman that Clemson – not Ohio State – was actually his leader heading into the event ($).
Still, the Buckeyes hold 100 percent of the crystal ball picks and the relationship with the Erasmus Hall staff is tough to ignore.
Leonard Taylor • DT/DE • Springfield, OH • Composite Ranking: No. 161
Springfield's Leonard Taylor committed to Michigan in early April, but the four-star was in Columbus less than two weeks after making the call for the Maize and Blue.
The Michigan pledge hasn't kept Taylor away from Columbus.
After the visit for the Ohio State spring game, the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder confirmed that he was still committed to Michigan, though he did speak highly of the trip.
"My family loved it up there, and I have an uncle that played for Ohio State," he continued. "I haven't really given much thought to what the visit might do to me, because I'm still all about Michigan. I will go back to Ohio State this summer for camp, and then again next fall for a game." Via
Taylor was expected for Friday Night Lights, but some transportation issues prevented the visit from taking place. He is a former teammate of another 2018 Michigan commit, linebacker Antwuan Johnson. Johnson, who has not been offered by the Buckeyes, played at Springfield before transferring to Dayton's Dunbar High School. He has been heavily involved in Michigan's recruitment of Taylor.
It will be interesting to see how the state's sixth-ranked prospect develops over the next two years. Defensive end, defensive tackle, and tight end are all possibilities, though his future appears to be on defense.
