Ohio State recruiting takeaways: Jeremiah Smith, Eddrick Houston save Ryan Days signing day

Ohio State had no shortage of last-minute recruiting drama as the early signing period began on Wednesday.

The Buckeyes entered the day with 21 commitments in their 2024 class. By Wednesday afternoon, they had 20, landing all but four-star receiver Jeremiah McClellan, who flipped to Oregon. (Four-star RB Jordan Lyle flipped to Miami on Monday.)

Advertisement

Ohio State kept the nation’s top-ranked prospect, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who announced that he intended to sign with the Buckeyes on Wednesday afternoon and was finally made official Wednesday night. It also kept five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston, despite a last-minute push from Alabama.

Jeremiah Smith – Fresh off a Senior campaign that saw him rewrite record books in South Florida and culminated with a State Championship, JJ and his elite skillset land in Columbus looking to add to the legacy of elite Buckeye Wide receivers of the past. Welcome to THE… pic.twitter.com/F9I6Dx3wy1

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 21, 2023

All told, Ohio State finished the day with five five-star recruits, 11 four-stars and four three-stars. As of Wednesday night, the Buckeyes had fallen from the No. 2 spot in the 247Sports Composite team rankings to No. 4, behind Georgia, Alabama and Miami.

Here are a few takeaways from the day:

Ohio State avoids nightmare scenario

Ryan Day was in the middle of his news conference when he had to walk out for a phone call.

He walked back in and tapped his hands together. Moments later, news broke on social media that Houston was sticking with his commitment to Ohio State.

Day wasn’t able to say who he was talking to in the moment, but just as his session ended, Houston’s paperwork came in and Day confirmed it. That signing saved the day for Ohio State.

Eddrick Houston – A giant from the Peach state, he looks to make even bigger waves rushing the passer and ruining the days of offensive lineman in the Scarlet and gray.  He only has one mode, and its GO. Welcome to THE Brotherhood Eddrick.
     #2THE4THE x @HoustonEddrick0 pic.twitter.com/PXFBMpXCqL

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 20, 2023

Speculation was rampant that Houston, who is from Buford, Ga., was going to flip to Alabama, leaving the Buckeyes with just one defensive lineman in the class. That would’ve been a nightmare scenario for the Buckeyes, who missed on multiple elite defensive linemen in the 2023 cycle and at one point had the makings of a historically great defensive line class in this cycle. In July, the Buckeyes had five-star Justin Scott on board, were one of the favorites for five-star edge Dylan Stewart and were in good standing with Houston, who was planning to announce in August.

Advertisement

Stewart chose South Carolina at the end of July and Scott flipped to Miami in November. In the last minute, Ohio State was able to hold onto Houston.

At some point, Ohio State needs to add more depth on the defensive line and reverse its fortunes with more blue-chip prospects, but getting Houston’s signature is a big win. Ohio State needed Houston. Its class was going to take a major hit without him.

GO DEEPER

Ohio State signing day a success for Ryan Day, even if it flirted with disaster

Buckeyes land No. 1 player

It’s time to give Brian Hartline more of his flowers.

Ohio State is known for its wide receiver talent and development, so it makes sense for Smith to want to play for the Buckeyes, but it was still a massive win for Hartline when Smith committed in December 2022. It’s an even bigger deal that Hartline got Smith over the finish line.

Ohio State had to hold off Florida State and Miami, two in-state schools, for the No. 1 prospect in the country. Smith went on visits to both and kept in touch with them down to the wire, but in the end the chance to play for Hartline and be in Ohio State’s wide receiver pipeline to the NFL won out.

I thought Smith was the one name they absolutely could not lose this week, with Houston and quarterback Air Noland close behind him.

GO DEEPER

Air Noland gives Ohio State bright future at QB, but what's next after Kyle McCord's exit?

I leaned toward Smith because of that No. 1 status. Larry Blustein, who has covered high school football in Florida since the 1970s, told The Athletic’s Manny Navarro that Smith was the best player he’s seen in this generation. He tallied over 3,000 yards receiver and 45 touchdowns in his career. With Marvin Harrison Jr. likely to be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft, Emeka Egbuka having his own NFL decision to make and Julian Fleming in the transfer portal, Ohio State is likely to be facing a big transition in the receiving corps.

Former five-star recruits Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss are expected to take on significant roles, and the Buckeyes may also need to lean on Smith to be an immediate impact player in 2024. He’s expected to enroll early and will begin competing for a job in spring practice.

Ohio State Class of 2024

All rankings via the 247Sports Composite.

Big wins at cornerback

The push for the in-state cornerback duo of Bryce West and Aaron Scott — two of the top four cornerbacks in the country — wasn’t easy for Ohio State.

Advertisement

It was an eventful summer, as both were being pursued hard by rival Michigan. Instead of going up north, both decided to stay in-state with the Buckeyes and help elevate a cornerback unit that has really come alive under coach Tim Walton.

Denzel Burke has been one of the best corners in the country, Jordan Hancock turned into a versatile weapon and transfer Davison Igbinosun was terrific in his first season with the Buckeyes. Ohio State has also shown that freshman corners can get playing time and excel. Burke did that, and so did Jermaine Mathews Jr.

West and Scott can come in and instantly compete. They should represent the future of the unit alongside Mathews, though four-star signee Miles Lockhart shouldn’t be overlooked either. He’ll be a nickel for Ohio State and brings a good mix of coverage skills and the physicality Jim Knowles needs at the position.

The job Walton is doing at Ohio State deserves recognition. He’s been one of the best assistants on Ohio State’s staff the past two years and is proving to be a great recruiter and developer.

(Photo of Ryan Day: John Fisher / Getty Images)

ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57lGpsa3BlbHxzfJFsZmpqX2d9cLvHoqZmq6SWwaZ50Z6aq62Zqbavs4xrZ2tsXZi5or%2FSZqqmoaSdeqm71KyrqKZf