Ryan Day and his staff have relentlessly been recruiting ever since the loss a few weeks ago to Michigan. With Ohio State losing “The Game” for the first time since 2011, recruiting has become even that much more important for the change of next years culture. As we often hear from the Ohio State staff: “It’s not a replacement, but it’s a reload for the team.” This year the staff has attempted to do just that.

Below, we are going to take a look at who Ohio State managed to add offensively during the early signing period by a positional breakdown. We will have the defensive side up later as we continue to wait on a few more announcements.

QB: Ohio State managed to pull out a major recruiting victory when Devin Brown signed his Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Buckeyes today. Brown was a former USC commit who Ohio State began pushing for in only the third last week of the season and going into the Michigan State game. Landing the No.5 QB in any class is always a win but doing it so late in the game is a tip of the cap to what Ryan Day can do for the development of Quarterbacks. 

Silver Bulletin Recruiting Grade: 4.5/5 Stars

RB: Ohio State landed a major diamond in the rough when Dallan Hayden put his pen to paper in favor of the Buckeyes today, spurning in-state Tennessee (his father’s alma mater). Hayden was ranked the No.17 RB in the country but if you ask any member of the Ohio State staff they believe they got a top-three back. 

Often times we are used to giving the praise to wide receivers coach Brian Hartline for nabbing these types of players but all the praise belongs to running backs coach Tony Alford this time around. The Buckeyes will only take one RB in 2022 with the expectation of grabbing two in 2023. 

Silver Bulletin Recruiting Grade: 4/5 Stars

WR: It has almost become routine for Hartline to land the best wide receiver classes in the country but yet again here we are. Early National Signing Period saw Ohio State grab WR’s Caleb Burton, Kojo Antwi, Kyion Grayes, and Kaleb Brown. 

All four of these players landed in the top 25 nationally among all WR’s. If you ask Hartline though he would likely tell you he got the exact four guys he wanted in this cycle. Another major haul coming into Zone 6

Silver Bulletin Recruiting Grade: 4.5/5 Stars

TE: Ohio State at one time was poised to land the tandem of Bennett Christian and Benji Gosnell. Gosnell decommitted from the Buckeyes three months ago however, and would ultimately end up at Virginia Tech, leaving the Buckeyes to only nab one TE commitment today in Christian. 

Christian is another highly underrated prospect the Buckeyes managed to land. The Georgia TE is thought of as one of, if not the best blocking TE in the country. Christian is going to bring an elite frame at 6-foot-6, 235-pounds. This is good news for the Buckeyes as they will lack size there next season with the departure of Jeremy Ruckert and be left with Cade Stover and Gee Scott Jr. Christian will bring a very physical presence they’ve been missing at the position with room to grow in the receiving game.

Silver Bulletin Recruiting Grade: 3.5/5 Stars

OL: Offensive line Coach Greg Studrawa has led the charge for the Buckeyes on the recruiting trail when it comes to the OL and there is a lot to be said for that. 

Ohio State at one time was expected to land Earnest Greene, who likely will spurn the Buckeyes today. The Buckeyes had a great chance to land monster 5 star tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin early in the process but will ultimately be out recruited by Kentucky or Michigan State. 

However, the staff managed to land Ohio 3 star Avery Henry who comes with a lot of upside and enormous frame at 6-foot-7, 305-pounds, the staff also landed another Ohio product in Tegra Tshabola, and closed it out with high four-star product George Fitzpatrick. 

Ohio State still has the chance to land Wisconsin product Carson Hinzman who may or may not commit to either Wisconsin or Ohio State today. The fact Ohio State has dragged his commitment out this long tells me the Buckeyes are a real player here. Expecting to hear more on this shortly but believe he will ultimately decide by Friday. 

Silver Bulletin Recruiting Grade without Hinzman: 2.5/5 Stars

Silver Bulletin Recruiting Grade with Hinzman: 3.5/5 Stars

Ohio State will likely not hear anymore surprises on the offensive side but we will have the defensive post up shortly following a few more LOI’s to be signed. 

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