Amid Early Signing Period Chaos, Ohio State Buckeyes Secure Top Two Recruits For 2024 Class
Even Ryan Day couldn't help but exhale a sigh of relief when the news became official. The Ohio State coach shook his head, exhaled, and emptied all worries of what could have been a massive blow to the 2024 recruiting class.
Day's jubilant reaction came at the mercy of five-star receiver Jeremiah Smith, the nation's top prospect, sticking to his commitment to join the Buckeyes over staying in the Sunshine State to play for Miami. And while Ohio State could land another high-profile pass-catcher, players like Smith only come around once every cycle.
The Early Signing Period has always been filled with drama and players unveil in various ways where they will attend school for hopefully the next three or four years. But in a new era headlined by name, image, and likeness, coaches’ stomachs are in knots until the ink is dry and a player is locked in.
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith with offensive coordinator Brian Hartline
“There’s a lot of variables in place now that weren’t in the past so there’s a little bit more unknown than previously,” Day said. “You’re not always sure of all the details of everything that’s going on.”
Smith was one of several Ohio State commits that could have flipped during Wednesday's fiasco. Five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston nearly shifted his services from the Buckeyes to Alabama.
The loss of two premier players would sting in the long term. Houston has the ability to become the next Nick Bosa under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. With Brian Hartline locked in for next season, Smith could transform into a combination of a Garrett Wilson/Chris Olave/Marvin Harrison Jr. clone.
In the end, both players chose to stick to their commitments. Much like when Smith said he was headed to Columbus, Day protruded a smile when Houston made it clear he wasn't headed to Title Town after all.
“I’m really, really excited about Eddrick,” Day said. “Larry worked hard on this one. He comes from an unbelievable program in Buford (Ga.). We feel he’s an impact player Day 1. It was a long process to get to signing day. But we identified him early as someone who was a difference-maker. That was a big one for us.”
The Buckeyes continue to send defensive linemen and receivers to the NFL early. Harrison, who became the first Buckeyes receiver to be named a Heisman finalist, is expected to be a top-five pick in April's draft. Both Bosa brothers and Chase Young were top-three selections in their respective draft class.
Perhaps that wasn't the reason Houston chose to stick with Ohio State. It certainly was a factor for Smith.
“They produce first-round receivers, and I want to be the next first-rounder to come out of Ohio State," Smith said following his announcement.
Not everything was a win on Wednesday. The Buckeyes watched as four-star receiver Jeremiah McClellan flipped to future Big Ten rival Oregon at the last second. Earlier this month, five-star lineman Justin Scott flipped to Miami.
But while the losses sting, nothing compares to securing talents like Houston and Smith. When asked what's next, Day grinned.
“I mean, the first beer is going to taste good,” he said.
