Ohio State football recruiting: Who are the Buckeyes’ top 2024 targets as season nears?

As we near Big Ten media days scheduled for July 26 and 27 in Indianapolis, we’re also inching closer to the start of the 2023 football season. That means commitment time for a lot of the Class of 2024 prospects, including a handful of Ohio State targets.

The Buckeyes have the second-ranked class in the country in the 247Sports Composite with 18 commitments. They hope to add to that number leading up to preseason camp.

Before camp begins, let’s take another look at a few high-priority targets and when they are expected to make their decisions.

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Four-star linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa

The most timely name on Ohio State’s recruiting board is Viliamu-Asa, who is announcing his commitment on Sunday. The California linebacker is the No. 102 ranked prospect in the country and the No. 8 linebacker, per the 247Sports Composite.

He’s been a priority target for the Buckeyes and visited on June 23 with Ohio State linebacker commit Payton Pierce on campus at the same time. They were able to bond, but there’s still a decision to be made for the versatile Viliamu-Asa.

He’s expected to choose between Ohio State, Notre Dame and USC. If he commits to the Buckeyes, he’d be the third-highest-ranked defensive prospect in the class and give Ohio State three of the top 20 linebackers in 2024.

It would be a fitting end to Ohio State’s linebacker search.

7/23 📍
— Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (@AsaViliamu) July 4, 2023

Four-star corner Aaron Scott

Scott is arguably the most high-profile recruit left on Ohio State’s board, and the Buckeyes are in fierce competition with Michigan for the Springfield, Ohio, product. He’s the No. 52 player in the country and the second-ranked player in Ohio, and the Buckeyes have had Scott at the top of their board for some time now. Michigan has as well.

There’s not much we haven’t already discussed with Scott, but he’s planning to announce his decision on July 30, his father’s birthday. If he chooses Ohio State, it would give the Buckeyes the cornerback trio it’s had its eyes set on with top-50 corner Bryce West already on board, along with four-star Miles Lockhart.

I like Ohio State’s chances for Scott, but it’s going to be an anxious day for fans at both schools when he announces.

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Five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston

Houston, from Buford, Ga., is set to make his announcement on his birthday, Aug. 22. He visited Ohio State on June 16 and many thought he would commit soon after that, but he went on his visit to Alabama the next weekend and has been relatively quiet ever since.

It’s possible he commits before, but we’re looking at his birthday as the latest he’d likely commit.

If Houston chooses Ohio State, he’d give the Buckeyes two five-star defensive linemen in the class after Justin Scott committed on July 3. He’s not the only defensive lineman Ohio State is waiting to hear from, though.

Five-star defensive lineman Dylan Stewart

One of the top players in the country, Stewart has multiple predictions to choose the Buckeyes but hasn’t made a decision. He hasn’t announced a commitment date, but it’s expected he’ll announce his choice sometime this summer before he starts his senior season at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C.

Stewart is the type of edge rusher the Buckeyes have been looking for since they added J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer in 2021.

After a few misses in recent years, defensive line coach Larry Johnson could be getting another monumental piece to the 2024 class. Stewart is the No. 10 player in the country and second-ranked edge rusher. He is also considering South Carolina, Georgia and Miami.

If Ohio State hits its trio of Stewart, Houston and Scott, it’s hard to argue who would have a better 2024 line. In that scenario, the Buckeyes would have pulled in three top-25 players on the defensive line and seven top 50 players overall.

This battle is far from finished, but Johnson has Ohio State in a good position to complete its trifecta.

Four-star receiver Jeremiah McClellan

Ohio State already has two five-star receivers in the 2024 class and is still looking for one more piece to add.

Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline might find that in McClellan, a Missouri native, who posted a top five that included Ohio State, Missouri, LSU, Georgia and Oregon.

BREAKING: Four-Star WR Jeremiah McClellan is down to 5️⃣ Schools!
The 6’1 190 WR from Saint Louis, MO is ranked as a Top 95 Player in the ‘24 Class
Where Should He Go? 👇🏽
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 16, 2023

The No. 108 player nationally and No. 18 receiver has been on Hartline’s radar for some time and was on campus June 9.

He could be the final touch to the receivers and give the Buckeyes three top-120 prospects and three players who are in the top 20 of their receiver group. He told 247Sports that he plans to commit before his football season, but didn’t give a date.

This will be another close one to watch.

Five-star safety KJ Bolden

Bolden’s recruitment has been a high-profile one, as well. The Buford, Ga., safety is a high school teammate with Houston and now five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola who transferred to Buford this offseason.

Bolden visited Ohio State in June, called the visit a “10/10” and is expected to make his decision on Aug. 5. The 6-foot-1 safety has been on the Buckeyes’ priority list and they will continue to pursue him until he commits and signs.

Ohio State is in a battle with Georgia for Bolden, and it may be hard to pull him out of his home state. Still, Ohio State is working to add the No. 1 safety in the class and the No. 7 player overall.

A win here would be what Ohio State needs to challenge Georgia for the top 2024 class.

Five-star offensive tackle Brandon Baker

The Buckeyes have been looking for an elite tackle and may have that if Baker lands with them.

Paris Johnson’s departure left a hole at the tackle position. The lack of depth behind Johnson is part of the uncertainty with this year’s roster, but Baker is somebody who can fill that gap in the future.

He hasn’t announced a commitment date but told 247Sports he hopes to take a visit to Nebraska in the fall, so his recruitment isn’t coming to an end any time soon. But this, like the defensive line additions, is a must for the Buckeyes after missing on offensive tackles in previous years.

Four-star safety Zaquan Patterson

This recruitment isn’t ending anytime soon, as Patterson didn’t take any official visits over the summer. The No. 76 overall player and No. 3 safety from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Fla., has Ohio State high on his list. He’s a high school teammate of Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith, as well.

Patterson has been on campus for unofficial visits, so we’re still a little early on this one. We’ll check back once he takes a few official visits this fall.

(Photo: Tommy Gilligan / USA Today)