As always, The Silver Inquiry is our chance to provide meaningful answers on the latest and greatest news surrounding Ohio State recruiting. This week’s questions consist of recruitments to keep an eye on and 2024 recruiting news.

Which player do you feel is closest to committing next? 

This question is very interesting as there is a number of players who could fall into this category. Specifically, I believe the closest player to jumping into the class would be Osceola, Florida defensive end Derrick LeBlanc. LeBlanc was very close to committing to the Buckeyes back in November of 2021 but held off due to changes coming to the Ohio State defensive staff.

As it’s often heard in the recruiting world, many schools “negative recruit.” Unfortunately, for Ohio State, they were on the receiving end of it from schools such as Georgia, Florida, and a few others. The message that held LeBlanc off originally was that they heard defensive line coach Larry Johnson would be retiring as well as additional housecleaning on the defensive side. This led LeBlanc to holding off on his original commitment plans but now having the time to meet the new coaches, I have been told LeBlanc and his family feel very confident in the new staff and what Ryan Day has added. With that being said that’s certainly why I believe the most likely player to join the class next is LeBlanc.

What are some 2024 names that Buckeye fans should become familiar with?

Right off the bat you have to look at Bryce West as the only in state product to hold an offer from Ohio State but after that it gets a little murky. I think the Buckeyes are going to have a great shot to land IMG Runningback Stacy Gage, depending on who they land in the 2023 class. I’m personally really liking what I’ve been hearing from a pair of WR’s early on in Micah Hudson and Joshisa Trader. To go along with West as a cornerback in the class, Braydon Lee could be seen as an early favorite to join him. At QB I think the number one player in the class will be Jaydn Davis and Day got his foot in the door early enough on this one that I believe the Buckeyes have a legitimate shot to land him. Finally, at the defensive end position if Johnson stays another couple years, I’ve been told Johnathon Echols out of IMG would be very likely to join the class as his family has ties to Johnson.

I think probably the biggest defensive target on the board at this time for Ohio State will be St. John Bosco Safety, Peyton Woodyard who has been thought to have Notre Dame as his leader early on. However, due to guys like Kourt Williams at Ohio State who also is a Bosco product, I could see Woodward taking a chance on the Buckeyes if he sees someone like Williams breakout under Jim Knowles new defensive scheme. Again though, at this time it’s very very difficult to predict what the 2024 class will shape up like.