It began when the only National Signing Day was in February, continued into a period when a majority of players began to graduate early from high school to enroll in January and endures in the era of the early signing period that begins Wednesday.
Here is a look at where head coach Ryan Day’s group stands with pens ready to hit paper for the first time for the class of 2023:
1. The 20-man class was No. 7 nationally in 247Sports Composite rankings with one day to go.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Ohio State trailed No. 1 Alabama, Georgia, Miami (Fla.), Texas, LSU and Notre Dame in the national rankings.
The class is No. 1 in the Big Ten with Penn State’s class ranked 13th and Michigan coming in at No. 17. Iowa (No. 24) had the only other top 25 class in the Big Ten.
Ohio State has had the top-ranked class in the Big Ten all but one year since 2011.
2. Three of the four top-rated prospects are receivers.
Brandon Inniss of American Heritage High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is the class’ only five-star entering National Signing Day. He is the No. 29 prospect in the 247Sports Composite national rankings and No. 4 receiver in the country.
Rolesville, N. C., receiver Noah Rogers is the No. 45 overall prospect and ranked ninth at his position while Carnell Tate of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., is No. 61 and 12, respectively.
3. Four others are top 100 recruits.
Luke Montgomery, an offensive lineman from Findlay, Ohio, is the No. 52 national prospect followed by Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic defensive lineman Jason Moore (65), Waxahachie, Texas, cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt (79) and Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes tight end Jelani Thurman (99).
4. Ohio State is set to sign seven of the top eight players in Oho.
That starts with Montgomery, who is the state’s top-ranked player.
Cincinnati Winton Woods cornerback Jermaine Matthews is No. 2 followed by No. 4 Lakota West safety Malik Hartford, No. 5 Cleveland Glenville linebacker Arvell Reese, No. 6 Wayne offensive lineman Joshua Padilla, No. 7 offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and No. 8 Dublin Coffman defensive lineman Will Smith Jr.
Since Day became head coach, Ohio State has signed an average of 6.75 Ohioans per year.
Urban Meyer averaged 9.25 while Jim Tressel averaged 12.2.
Here's a look at how Urban Meyer changed Ohio State recruiting, including where he was similar to Jim Tressel and John Cooper as well https://t.co/vuDpXdQvdy
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) February 6, 2019
5. Some signing day decisions are scheduled.
Ohio State is likely to add a player or two on signing day, and there is always the possibility of losing someone.
Per 247Sports, the Buckeyes are in the mix for defensive line prospects Damon Wilson of Venice, Fla., Matayo Uiagalelei of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco, and Joshua Mickens of Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence Central.
End is a position Ohio State’s class is thin heading into signing day, as is running back (none) and linebacker (one, Reese).
Ohio State might also add an offensive lineman from the transfer portal.
Rhode Island tackle Ajani Cornelius has scheduled to announce his choice from a group that includes Ohio State, Tennessee, Oregon and Nebraska at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
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