Buckeyes who are still in the 2024 class are just as active in the portal

Ohio State shows no signs of slowing down as they keep an eye on the gateway and the class of 2024 prospects.

It wasn’t long ago that recruitment slowed down following signing day. In 2023, however, Ohio State and the rest of the college football scene are just as busy as staffs attempt to continue their efforts on the trail hours after the 2024 class was signed.

Even as the Buckeyes prepare for the Cotton Bowl next week, roster management is critical. Ryan Day has made it plain that his staff is still working through their current roster, with numerous players still making selections. Until then, coaches are scouring the transfer site, and while no one has been added to Ohio State’s roster, it will all come together in the coming weeks.

The second time around

Jim Knowles wanted Tackett Curtis more than any other linebacker prospect in the 2023 class. Knowles was essentially paying rent in Louisiana with the amount of time he spent in town to visit Curtis throughout his recruiting, but the Buckeyes ultimately fell short when he chose USC over Ohio State. When you devote that much time into a certain player, it’s tough to see him off to another program. However, in today’s college football landscape, it is not truly “over” once a player commits elsewhere due to the transfer portal.

Curtis’ name is on the transfer portal, and his connection to Ohio State makes it simple to see why the faculty would be interested again. Ohio State will be in on this recruitment for the second time, reaching out quickly after his name was entered, and you’d think they’d have a good chance of landing him given where they finished the first time.

Nonetheless, it has been reported that other institutions, including LSU, Florida State, TCU, and Nebraska, have indicated interest. As of now, the Buckeyes do not have a visit date with Curtis, but that might change in the coming days. The bowl game will assist with scheduling, but the Buckeyes have reached out and appear to be highly interested in bringing in Curtis to help bolster the linebacker room, which will see some departures.

Cody Simon has already announced his return to Ohio State for the 2024 season, and CJ Hicks will almost surely get his chance, but with the number of linebackers the Buckeyes use in a season, depth is a priority, and Curtis just makes sense. The second time around may go better than the first, but a visit is required before this has a chance.

Looking for more in the 2024 class

Though they were able to keep five-star Eddrick Houston in the 2024 class, Ohio State’s depth up front isn’t terrific with only two defensive line signees in the current cycle. What makes it difficult is not knowing who will return from the current roster. The Buckeyes are in a predicament as they try to navigate the position until the players make their decisions, but a strategy must be in place any way.

If Ohio State is able to keep numerous existing players for next season, the necessity for more high school defensive lineman or even portal alternatives will be reduced. However, Ohio State is still aggressively recruiting athletes, knowing that there is at least one more prep target available after missing out on Amaris Williams to Auburn.

Dominick McKinley, a Louisiana native, is one high-profile prospect hearing from the Buckeyes. According to the 247Sports Composite, the five-star defensive lineman is ranked 26th overall and sixth at his position for the 2024 class. McKinley, a Texas A&M commit, made his recruiting more fascinating by declining to sign with the Aggies on Wednesday, leaving the door open for other schools to enter the picture.

With an Ohio State offer already in hand, the Buckeyes have called out and shown their interest, but it won’t be an easy struggle here as Tennessee has also scheduled a visit with the Louisiana native. Texas is also intrigued, but the Buckeyes have the advantage of convincing him that with only two signees, he will have the opportunity to compete right away.

If the Buckeyes are able to bring him to Columbus, this recruiting will become even more exciting. If they do, Larry Johnson might have something special in store for this class.

Ramsey committed to USC yesterday, sticking in Los Angeles for his next trip, leaving the Buckeyes in the same position. Without another safety, that raises the possibility of Lathan Ransom returning, but the coaching staff will know better after the Cotton Bowl.