Jermaine Mathews Jr. was one of those players this season, starting in a huge place against Penn State and playing effectively with some other bright moments during the year. Carnell Tate found work on the offensive side of the ball out wide, pulling in 18 receptions for 264 yards with a few spectacular diving grabs thrown in for good measure.Malik Hartford started both games at safety.
More freshmen might make an immediate impact in Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class.
The Buckeyes’ 20-player signing class features five five-star players according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Fifteen of those prospects, including four five-stars, arrived on campus as early enrollees to begin their Ohio State careers.
OFFENSE
- Jeremiah Smith, five-star wide receiver
- Air Noland, five-star quarterback
- James Peoples, four-star running back
- Ian Moore, four-star offensive lineman
- Deontae Armstrong, four-star offensive lineman
- Sam Williams-Dixon, three-star running back
- Devontae Armstrong, three-star guard
DEFENSE
- Eddrick Houston, five-star defensive end
- Aaron Scott Jr., five-star cornerback
- Bryce West, four-star cornerback
- Miles Lockhart, four-star cornerback
- Jaylen McClain, four-star safety
- Garrett Stover, four-star linebacker
- Payton Pierce, four-star linebacker
- Eric Mensah, three-star defensive lineman
As those 15 Buckeyes begin their careers at Ohio State, we spotlight five of them who have the greatest potential to make an immediate impact for the Buckeyes in year one.
WR JEREMIAH SMITH
Being the No. 1 overall prospect in a recruiting class and being regarded as a generational talent is reason enough to include Smith in a story like this, but it’s a combination of Smith’s polish and Ohio State’s roster attrition that makes him such an obvious choice to get on the field right away.
Smith’s tape is loaded with catches that showcase his pro-level hands, body control, high-pointing, and sophisticated route-running abilities. South Florida, where he is from, is known to be a hotbed for producing receiving abilities. His work with the celebrated 7-on-7 squad South Florida Express and a premier high school program in Chaminade-Madonna has capitalized on his vast list of athletic skills and propelled him to the Power 5-level.
A complete spring and summer with Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline will also help.
Smith seemed ready to play collegiately at last week’s All-American Bowl, when he practiced and played against some of the nation’s best defensive backs.
The Buckeyes’ biggest star at the position, Marvin Harrison Jr., is being drafted by the NFL. Julian Fleming, another starter, has transferred to Penn State.Even if Emeka Egbuka decides to return to Columbus for his senior season, Smith should be a lock to start right away with Egbuka and Tate, though he may have to contend with another five-star talent in rising sophomore Brandon Inniss.
DE EDDRICK HOUSTON
Ohio State’s defensive end rotation is currently in good shape for 2024, with the return of Jack Sawyer, Kenyatta Jackson Jr., and Caden Curry waiting in the wings, but Houston’s talent is such that he could demand early playing time.
Houston, the nation’s No. 26 overall recruit and No. 5 defensive lineman, was a huge retention for the Buckeyes on Early Signing Day. Houston, fresh from the football factory of Buford (Georgia) High School, should arrive in Columbus with a lot of polish.
Larry Johnson, the defensive line coach, is known for giving his top prospects early looks.The Bosa brothers, Chase Young, Zach Harrison, Sawyer, and JT Tuimoloau – another youngster awaiting a draft decision – all saw significant playing time in their rookie seasons, and Houston should be next in line.
RB JAMES PEOPLES
Peoples, one of two four-star recruits on our list, fills a significant recruiting void left by Ohio State’s failure to sign a running back in the 2023 class. In 247Sports’ composite rankings for the 2024 class, he was ranked as the No. 95 overall talent and No. 7 ballcarrier.
Ohio State is awaiting the NFL draft decision of top rusher TreVeyon Henderson and appears to be in the running for Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins, but Peoples might still get some playing time as a true freshman. The Buckeyes’ only other scholarship running backs are redshirt sophomore Dallan Hayden and fellow freshman Sam Williams-Dixon. Chip Trayanum and Evan Pryor both transferred after the regular season, and Miyan Williams has already declared for the NFL draft.
Peoples’ capacity to contribute right away is supported by his high school productivity, which is in the second-highest classification in Texas. As a junior, he rushed for 2,044 yards and 31 touchdowns. His senior year was cut short by an unidentified injury, but he still managed 898 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Peoples might be second or third on the running back depth chart next season, and the Buckeyes aren’t afraid to use many running backs in games. In 2023, they utilized at least three running backs in 11 of their 13 games, including the times wide receiver Xavier Johnson was used as a running back.
CB BRYCE WEST
West is one of two top-60 cornerback prospects drafted by Tim Walton in the 2024 class, joining five-star Aaron Scott Jr. West’s flexibility merits him a spot on this list just as much as his talent.
He possesses the feet and gritty mentality to play nickel, another position where cornerback Jordan Hancock will make a vital NFL draft choice. Outside of Hancock, the Buckeyes’ possibilities at the position in 2024 are limited.
Sonny Styles shared time at strong safety with Hancock for much of the season before taking over full-time after Lathan Ransom was injured, but his coverage skills against slot receivers proved to be a detriment when used against spread offenses. Jyaire Brown and Ryan Turner, two second-year corners who worked at the position, have both transferred.
Even if West remains on the outside, he will have an opportunity to contend for a spot on the two-deep at cornerback, especially if Denzel Burke leaves for the NFL draft.Behind Davison Igbinosun and Jermaine Mathews Jr., his biggest challenge for playing time will be Lorenzo Styles Jr., Calvin Simpson-Hunt, and Scott.
QB AIR NOLAND
Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard’s commitment reduces the already limited chances of Ohio State’s five-star quarterback recruit winning the starting job as a true freshman. That doesn’t mean he won’t make some noise.
Following the spring, roster attrition is still a possibility, and if someone transfers out, Noland could be in line to become Ohio State’s No. 2 quarterback straight immediately.
Noland comes in with a lot of praise. As a junior, he led Langston Hughes to a state championship in Georgia’s highest classification, passing for 4,095 yards and 55 touchdowns, the third-most in state history.
In June, he won the Elite 11 quarterback competition, where he was chosen one of the top 11 gunslingers in the tournament.
As a senior, Noland passed for 2,140 yards and 22 touchdowns, surpassing 10,000 yards and 125 touchdowns for his high school career.
