In a surprising turn of events, Ohio State University’s 2024 football recruiting class was dealt a blow as five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott announced his decision to flip his commitment from the Buckeyes to the University of Miami. The unexpected news sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting landscape, leaving Ohio State scrambling to fill the void before early signing day.

On3 was the first to report Scott’s change of heart, highlighting the shock and unexpected nature of the flip. Adding to the surprise, an accompanying graphic showed a pile of cash next to Scott, raising questions about the motives behind his decision.

Scott, who is ranked as the 12th-best player in the country according to 247Sports composite ratings, is now no longer a part of Ohio State’s 2024 class. With just a few weeks left until early signing day, the Buckeyes must act swiftly to find a suitable replacement and restore stability to their recruiting efforts.

Fortunately, the recruiting class still boasts the presence of another standout defensive lineman, Eddrick Houston. Houston, a five-star talent ranked 25th overall, remains a critical piece of the defensive haul. Additionally, Eric Mensah, a three-star defensive lineman ranked 820th overall, adds depth to the unit.

To address the void left by Scott’s departure, Ohio State has set its sights on several other targets. Carlon Jones (ranked 409th overall), Ernest Willor Jr. (ranked 112th overall), and Amaris Williams (ranked 88th overall) are among the top priorities for the Buckeyes along the defensive line.

Jones, who recently decommitted from Nebraska, will be visiting Columbus in the second weekend of December, while Willor, hailing from Towson, Maryland, has scheduled visits to Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Maryland before signing day. The Buckeyes have been actively pursuing Williams, hoping to lure him away from Florida.

With only two defensive linemen currently committed in the 2024 class, Ohio State is in dire need of at least one, if not two, additional recruits in this area. They have a limited timeframe to secure the necessary talent before signing day.

Despite this setback, Ohio State’s recruiting class is still highly regarded. Sitting at No. 2 in the 247Sports composite rankings, behind only Georgia, the Buckeyes maintain a strong average player rating of 93.02. While concerns may linger regarding defensive recruiting, the inclusion of Houston, as well as four-star cornerbacks Aaron Scott (45th overall) and Bryce West (53rd overall), adds strength to the class.

However, the loss of a five-star player at a premier position undoubtedly leaves a void that needs to be addressed. The addition of one or two quality prospects along the defensive line could help cushion the impact of Justin Scott’s departure.

As Ohio State looks ahead to solidifying its class and preparing for signing day, concerns arise around defensive recruiting. Yet, with their track record of attracting top talent, there is optimism that the Buckeyes will find a way to bolster their defensive lineup and maintain their strong position in the college football landscape.

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Kamryn Babb Overcomes Numerous Setbacks For “Magical” Moment In Ohio Stadium

The fifth-year senior wide receiver overcame four ACL surgeries to catch his first career touchdown in Saturday’s 56-14 win over Indiana.

Ohio State wide receiver Kamryn Babb’s injury history has been well-documented, so when he caught an eight-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 56-14 win over Indiana, emotions flowed through the fifth-year senior and his teammates as they mobbed him on the sidelines.