It has been quite a start to 2024 on the Ohio State recruiting front. The Buckeyes most recently landed major commitments from the top two cornerbacks in the country for the class of 2025 in Devin Sanchez back in January, and Na’eem Offord. The last time this was done was when Urban Meyer landed the future NFL duo of Jeff Okudah and Shaun Wade back in 2017. In today’s Bullet Points session we dive into some more secondary recruitments and also touch on a couple names to keep an eye on
In 2017, Ohio State signed five-stars Jeff Okudah and Shaun Wade, the first and only time a school has signed the top-two ranked CB’s in a class.
The Buckeyes are now set to do it again in 2025 with Na’Eem Offord and Devin Sanchez.
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— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) February 4, 2024
It is no secret the Buckeyes have been after some high profile defensive backs for the class of 2025. With Ohio State likely to lose Lathan Ransom, Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, Davison Igbinosun, and possibly Sonny Styles to the NFL draft following the 2024-25 season, there is a major need to fill the 2025 class with secondary pieces. From what I’ve been told, the golden number for the secondary class is six. The Buckeyes already hold commitments from Sanchez, Offord, and Woodby, so here’s some insight on what to expect to round out the class. At this time, I think the Buckeyes are right where they need to be with the No.4 CB in the country Dorian Brew. Brew’s mom being a legacy (and a track superstar) at Ohio State certainly plays an important role, but cornerbacks coach Tim Walton or “OG Walt” has been crucial as a relationship builder. Walton certainly has been a significant reason as to why Brew is still high on the Buckeyes even with three CB’s already in the class.
I do think the Buckeyes ultimately land Brew in the coming months as long as they can hold off the likes of Georgia and USC who he is also seriously considering. Of note, Brew also could be used as a safety in Columbus if need be; he is very versatile and seen as similar to Sonny Styles out of high school in regards to his versatility. On the back end, if you follow me on Twitter you probably know I’ve hinted at Faheem Delane, the top safety in the country for 2025 possibly leaning Ohio State’s way. 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong placed a Crystal Ball for Ohio State to land Delane ealier today, which goes along with what I have been hearing.
Ohio State has picked up a Crystal Ball prediction to land 2025 five-star and No. 1 overall safety Faheem Delane.
If the Buckeyes close the deal, they will have three five-stars in their 2025 DB class with Na’eem Offord and Devin Sanchez already committed 😳
BIA is BACK. pic.twitter.com/mpZvtcOrCT
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) February 5, 2024
In regards to Ohio native and the No.2 safety in the country Trey McNutt, I think it gets a little shakier for the Shaker Heights native. I do have the Buckeyes leading the way at the moment but Georgia again is no joke in this recruitment. I’ve been told McNutt is not as caught up about leaving the state of Ohio and would be open to taking a different route. However, McNutt grew up a major Buckeye fan (and is a Buckeye legacy) and I do see that playing into his decision. Side note, I was told McNutt grew up with Ohio State blankets and pictures covering his bedroom so again I do have the Buckeyes leading I just don’t think it’s as black and white as one might think.
No one seems to know the name of that sixth recruit in the class but I do have a name that is starting to emerge. I would keep an eye out for Warwick, Virginia’s Messiah Delhomme. Delhomme is not a player Buckeye Nation has probably heard much about, but the 6’1, 200 pound safety is a violent football player who the Ohio State defensive staff absolutely loves. Sitting just outside the top 100 players on the 247 rankings, the Ohio State staff seems to be much higher on him than most have seen. Alabama and Florida State are also a threat for Delhomme but the proximity for his family from Ohio to Virginia has apparently been very attractive to Delhomme as well as the relationship he’s already built with new Ohio State Safeties coach Matt Guerrieri. I’m not saying this one is close to done by any means, but I’m hearing the Buckeyes are definitely starting to emerge as a contender.
A couple other names to keep an eye one I’ve been hearing are heavily trending towards the Buckeyes are four start Atlanta edge rusher London Merritt and Mater Dei, California running back Jordan Davison. Starting with Merritt- I’ve been told he’s a player who has had Ohio State at the top of his list before he ever had an offer so I wouldn’t be shocked if he wasted no time in his recruitment. I could see a March announcement for the high profile edge.
For Davison, he’s one of the most sought after RB’s in the country holding 50+ offers nationally. The Buckeyes earned a four-day visit from Davison and have immediately emerged as a team to watch for the Cali back. I know to Buckeye fans it’s hard to imagine a Mater Dei player ever coming to Columbus, but I’m here to tell you right now there is some juice to this one. I’ll be sure to touch on it more but keep an eye out.
Carson MacRae comes to The Silver Bulletin with a vast football background. As a former player himself, Carson brought his expertise of the game to the recruitng analysis side, where he worked as a Recruitng Writer and Analyst at Rivals.com apart of Ohio State’s “BuckeyeGrove” network. After leaving Rivals, Carson joined forces with The Silver Bulletin as the Chief Recruiting Writer for the quickly growing Ohio State network. Carson is also proud member of Prep Redzone where he is as a National High School Football Scout providing in depth analysis on the top players around the country.