The Buckeyes recently revealed incredible news regarding the addition of another highly regarded prospect to strengthen their offensive line.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As part of National Signing Day, Ohio State was the recipient of 20 national letters of intent on Wednesday.
The entire Ohio State release is provided below.
Ohio State Signs 20 Letters of Intent with the National
Every major recruiting service has ranked the class of the Buckeyes in the top five.
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ryan Day announced that 20 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to pursue their academic and athletic careers with Ohio State, sending another class of recruits ranked among the top five to Columbus.
The current Big Ten class, ranked first by all services, includes the Ohio State Buckeyes, who are ranked fourth overall by 247Sports, third by On3, and fourth by Rivals.com. Six of the prospects are ranked in the top 100 by 247Sports, with Miami Gardens, Florida’s WR Jeremiah Smith ranking as the class’ best overall player. According to 247Sports’ rankings, the Buckeyes signed five composite five-star prospects, which is the most of any program in the nation.
Day stated, “We got a lot of things covered with this class and that’s really good moving forward,” during the Woody Hayes Athletic Center press conference on signing day on Wednesday. “We’re excited about this class because a lot of people worked really hard on it.”
Three of Ohio State’s top five players were signed by Ohio State, demonstrating their success there as well. In the secondary, that group excels, led by Cleveland Glenville’s CB Bryce West and Springfield’s CB Aaron Scott.
The Buckeyes signed athletes from ten different states in total. There are nine players on defense and 11 players on offense, including four offensive linemen. Five players were added to Ohio State’s roster, including two safeties, two linebackers, two defensive linemen, and three cornerbacks. Eddrick Houston, a five-star player from Buford, Georgia, is the unit’s highest-rated player overall. He currently stands at No. 26 in the 247Sports composite ranking.
Although Smith is the top-ranked player on the offensive line, that group was strengthened by quarterback Air Noland of Fairburn, Georgia, who is ranked No. 57 overall and No. 6 quarterback, and wide receiver Mylan Graham, who is ranked No. 29 by 247Sports. Two tight ends and two running backs were also signed by the Buckeyes.
Together with the two Ohio cornerbacks, Ohio State also signed offensive linemen Deontae and Devontae Armstrong from Elyria, linebacker Garrett Stover from Galena, running back Sam Williams-Dixon from Pickerington, and tight end Damarion Witten from Cleveland, all of whom were part of the state-champion St. Edward program.
Ohio State Football’s signing day roster for December 2023
Name Pos. Ht. What. Hometown/Previous School
Deontae Armstrong OL 6-6 280 280 Elyria, Ohio/St). Edward
Devontae Armstrong, OL, 6-5, 297, Elyria, Ohio, St. Edward
Mylan Graham, Wide Receiver, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, New Haven, Ind./New Haven
Eddrick Houston DE 6-3 275 Buford, Ga./Buford
Max LeBlanc TE 6-4 227 Chattanooga, TN/Baylor School
Miles Lockhart 5-10 185 185 CB Chandler, AZ/Basha
Jaylen McClain 6-0 185 185 SAF Rahway, N.J. / Seton Hall Prep
Eric Mensah DL 6-3 290 Stafford, Va./Mountain View
Ian Moore OL 6-5 305 New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine
Air Noland QB 6-3 195 Langston Hughes Fairburn, Ga.
James Peoples 5-10 203 San Antonio, Texas/Veterans Memorial
Payton Pierce, left tackle, 6-1, 220, Lucas, Texas/Lovejoy
Leroy Roker SAF 6-1 175 Fort Myers, Fla./Bishop Verot
Aaron Scott, CB, 6-2, 190, Springfield, Ohio/Springfield
Jeremiah Smith, wide receiver, 6-3, 200 pounds, Miami Gardens, Florida/Chaminade-Madonna Prep
Garrett Stover LB 6-0 205 Galena, Ohio/Big Walnut
Gabe VanSickle OL 6-5 315 Coopersville, Mich./Coopersville
Bryce West 5-11 183 Cleveland/Glenville CB
Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North; Sam Williams-Dixon, RB; 5-11; 203
Damarion Witten, tight end, 6-4, 215 Cleveland/Glenville
Devontae Armstrong, OL; Elyria, OH/St. 5-5, 297. Edward
is projected by 2024 to be one of Ohio’s top five offensive linemen.
Ohio’s No. 3 interior offensive lineman according to On3.
voted first team All-Ohio and All-Region in 2023 while assisting St. Edward in winning the Division I state championship for the third time in a row.
Six times, St. Edward scored forty points or more, averaging 35.8 points per game.
credited with ten “pancake” blocks in the season’s first victory over Center Grove, Indiana.
is the twin brother of Deontae Armstrong, another 2024 signee.
Antone Abram and Erica Kara are parents.
Deontae Armstrong is an OL from Elyria, Ohio/St. Edward
arguably Ohio’s best offensive line prospect for this season.
All-State and District first team.
In the Division I state championship game, St. Edward overcame Springfield to claim the championship for the third time in a row.
St. Edward was averaging 251.4 yards rushing per game in the playoffs going into the state championship game.
is Devontae Armstrong’s twin brother.
Antone Abram and Erica Kara are parents.
Mylan Graham, WR, New Haven, Ind./New Haven, 6-1, 185
Ranks as a five-star prospect on On3 and 247Sports.
is ranked fifth among wide receivers and the 14th best player in the country overall.
During his junior year in 2022, hauled in 48 passes for 1,149 yards and 13 touchdowns.
almost 24 yards on average per catch.
This past fall, he caught six touchdowns and averaged over 80 yards per game in seven games.
had more than 2,000 receiving yards in career and 21 touchdowns in 24 games.
Marcy Graham is my mother. D’Angelo Hardy is the father.
Eddrick Houston Buford, GA/Buford, DE 6-3, 275
is ranked as Ohio State’s best player by 247Sports when it comes to ball defense.
is a five-star prospect and the sixth-best defensive end in the country.
has been ranked No. 25 in the country overall by 247Sports.
He totaled 45 tackles, 12.0 tackles-for-loss, and 5.0 sacks in 12 games this fall as a senior.
This fall, Buford went 11-2 and made it to the third round of the state playoffs.
He recorded 64 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and 15 quarterback pressures in his junior season.
was chosen for the Junior All-America second team by MaxPrep.
Listed before the 2023 season began on the Atlanta Journal Constitution Super 11 and Gwinnett Daily Post Super Six lists.
It’s Siobhan Leslie, mother.
Max LeBlanc, TE, Chattanooga, TN, 6-4, 227, Baylor School
A four-star prospect and one of the nation’s top-ranked tight ends, per 247Sports.
is originally from Saint-Bruno, Quebec, and attended Tennessee’s Baylor School for his last two years of high school.
this autumn, he guided his team to the Tennessee DII-AA state championship game.
As a junior, he caught 39 passes for 695 yards and three touchdowns.
carries three older siblings who compete in collegiate tennis: a brother who represents the University of Kentucky in the sport, a sister who represents the University of Portland in the decathlon, and another brother who represents High Point University in the sport.
Christine and Sebastien LeBlanc are the parents.
Miles Lockhart, CB, Chandler, AZ/Basha; 5-10, 185
is the fourth-ranked player in the state of Arizona and a four-star prospect, per 247Sports.
chosen for the Premier Regional defense first team.
finished this fall’s nine games as a senior with 39 tackles and 2.0 tackles-for-loss.
During his junior season, he recorded 69 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, and four interceptions.
Throughout his career, he averaged more than seven yards per carry while playing running back for Basha.
As a junior, he assisted his team in winning a state championship.
Stevie and David Lockhart are their parents.
Jaylen McClain, SAF, Rahway, N.J./Seton Hall Prep, 6-0, 185
is among the best players in the state of New Jersey; On3 ranks him third with a four-star rating.
accumulated 126 tackles, three fumble recoveries, one blocked punt, and one blocked field goal in 2023 to be named to the first team of both the conference and the state.
had 83 tackles in 2022, along with one interception, as a junior.
In addition, he participated in track and field for Seton Hall Prep and played wide receiver.
Maurice McClain and Syreeta McClain are parents.
Eric Mensah, DL, Stafford, VA/Mountain View, 6-3, 290
The seventh-ranked player in Virginia according to On3.
at the end of his senior season, he was named the Commonwealth District Defensive Player of the Year and first team defensive line.
additionally won the title of Class 6 Region B Defensive Player of the Year.
Over the previous two seasons, Mountain View had a 22-3 record and an 11-1 conference record.
proficient in “Twi,” an African language
Barbara Agyemang is the mother; Kwabena Mensa is the father.
Ian Moore, OL, New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine; 6-5, 305
is the top-ranked offensive lineman in the 2024 recruiting class; according to 247Sports, he is a four-star prospect and the seventh-ranked interior offensive lineman.
was named Indiana’s Mr. Football Offensive Lineman and one of ten finalists for the state’s Mr. Football title in general.
cleared the path for a New Palestine offense in his senior year, which saw them average 255 rushing yards per contest.
The Dragons won the Class 4A regional championship with an 11-3 record and 36 points per game.
played defensively as well, finishing with 3.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles-for-loss, and 37 tackles.
By the Indiana Football Coaches Association, first team All-Indiana.
earned a spot in the IFCA Top 50 in both the junior and senior years.
During Moore’s final two seasons, New Palestine had conference records of 23-4 and 14-0 respectively.
Terry Moore and Sherri Moore are parents.
QB/6-3, 195 Air Noland, Fairburn, Ga./Langston Hughes
is among the best quarterbacks in the country and a standout player all around, regardless of position.
Is a five-star prospect and the 57th overall player, as well as the sixth quarterback in the country, according to 247Sports.
completed 67 percent of his passes in 11 games as a senior, totaling 2,140 yards and 22 touchdowns.
was a finalist in the Elite 11 last summer and will participate in the San Antonio All-American Bowl in 2024.
In high school, he passed for over 10,000 yards and 100 touchdowns, including 4,095 yards and 55 touchdowns in 2022 as a junior.
collaborated with current Ohio State tight end Jelani Thurman to lead Langston Hughes to the 2022 fall Georgia Class 6A state title.
had a game-winning, 25-yard touchdown pass against Carrollton in the 2023 season’s opening game, which was broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Audrey Gill is her mother.
James Peoples, RB, 5-10, 203, Veterans Memorial, San Antonio, Texas
is a top 100 prospect in the country and the fourth-ranked running back in the country.
One of the major scouting services’ four-star prospects.
216 yards of total rushing on just 11 carries after returning from injury this fall, all in the first half of a 56-0 victory that earned him San Antonio Express-News Athlete of the Week honors.
carried 191 times in his junior season of 2002, gaining 1,904 yards and 28 touchdowns.
will compete in the 2024 All-American Bowl in his native San Antonio on January 4.
oversaw ten yards per carry on average during his final two years of high school.
a candidate for the 2022 San Antonio Express-Times Offensive Player of the Year award.
James Peoples II and Nakisha are the parents.
Payton Pierce, Lucas, Texas/Lovejoy; LB; 6-1, 220
Player rated in the top 200 nationally, and a four-star prospect.
a candidate for the High School Butkus Award, which is given to the best prep linebacker in the country.
completed with 181 tackles, 40.0 tackles-for-loss, and eight sacks in 14 games as a senior.
two blocked kicks and four forced fumbles were added.
declared the Most Valuable Player in District 7 5A.
won the Defensive Player of the Week award from Dallas Morning News following a 22-tackle performance in a playoff victory over the state’s top-ranked team, which included 4.5 tackles for loss.
accumulated 131 tackles, 21.0 tackles for loss, six sacks, five forced fumbles, and was just as productive as a junior.
chosen to participate in the Jan. 4, 2024, All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
Jamie and Geno Pierce are their parents.
Bishop Verot and Leroy Roker, SAF, 6-1, 175; Fort Myers, Fla.
played his first three years of high school at Canterbury High School, where he was a two-way star.
had one sack, one tackle-for-loss, seven interceptions, and 54 tackles (36 solo) this fall.
In 12 games, he also had seven pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
his senior season, he helped lead the team to the regional finals.
played basketball for his high school, scoring 16 points a night on average.
competed in track and field as well.
Aaron Scott, a CB from Springfield, Ohio/Springfield, is 6-2, 190.
is the top-ranked player in Ohio and, according to On3, ranks No. 26 nationally.
Currently rated as the No. 2 cornerback in the country after being raised to a five-star rank.
As a senior, assisted Springfield in making it to the Division I state championship game, the Wildcats’ third straight trip to the title game.
is the first Springfield native to play on a scholarship at Ohio State since Wayne High School graduate Braxton Miller (2011–15).
WR Dee Miller was the final Springfield High School scholarship athlete (1995–98).
had seven pass breakups, 23 tackles, and five interceptions for the Wildcats in 2022 as a junior.
played defense and offense as a senior this past fall before switching to quarterback and scoring nine touchdowns overall, including the game-winning pass against Archbishop Moeller in the state semifinals.
intercepted two passes in 2023 to lead Springfield to the state finals during a seven-game winning streak.
Christa Dearmond and Aaron Scott Sr. are the parents.
Jeremiah Smith, wide receiver, Miami Gardens, Florida; 6-3, 200; Chaminade-Madonna Prep
is, without a doubt, the nation’s top player, regardless of position.
The top-ranked wide receiver and a five-star prospect according to every major recruiting service.
One of the five nominees for the National Player of the Year award from 247Sports.
selected by MaxPreps as the Florida player of the year
had 88 receptions for 1,376 yards and 19 touchdowns in 14 games as a senior.
Smith caught 11 passes for 170 yards and scored a touchdown in his final high school game, which was a 56-0 victory that won the state championship.
He has played in 28 games and caught 151 passes for 2,474 yards and 39 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
The second-ranked team in the country, Chaminade-Madonna Prep, went 14-0 during the regular season.
Smith will be the first wide receiver since Dorial Green-Beckham in 2012 to hold the top spot overall in the 247Sports Composite after 11 years.
Earlier this fall, in a victory over perennial New Jersey state power Began Catholic, he caught 16 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns in just three quarters of play.
Recipient of the Nat Moore Trophy: Every year, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties’ best high school athlete receive this honor.
is a gifted track and field athlete as well, having won state titles in the 400 and 110-meter hurdle races.
Chris Smith and Lativia Newberry are their parents.
Garrett Stover, LB, 6-0, 205, Big Walnut, Ohio
the Ohio player ranked third overall and a four-star prospect according to 247Sports.
ranked No. 150 overall and No. 7 among linebackers according to On3.
will compete in the San Antonio All-American Bowl in 2024.
This fall, as a senior, tallied 89 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions, good for first team All-Ohio recognition.
added one forced fumble, two pass break-ups, two quarterback hurries, one blocked punt, and one pass break-up.
was selected for the first team of the Ohio football team in his junior year despite missing three games due to injury. He finished with 92 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and seven pass breakups.
is Buckeye TE Cade Stover’s cousin.
played safety as a rookie and sophomore before transferring to the position full-time as a junior last season.
participates in the track and field team’s 100-meter dash, 4×400 relay, long jump, and high jump competitions.
Lindsey and Bubba Stover are her parents.
Gabe VanSickle Coopersville, Michigan/Coopersville, OL 6-5, 315
a verbal commitment to Ohio State made on Thanksgiving by a four-star prospect.
plays football, basketball, and track at Coopersville High School.
played left tackle mostly as a senior, contributing to Coopersville’s 8-3 final record.
With 35.3 points per game on average, the Broncos led the league.
Amy and Lynn VanSickle are the parents.
Bryce West • CB • Cleveland/Glenville • 5-11, 183
helped Glenville win the 2022 and 2023 state titles at Cleveland Glenville; the Tarblooders finished 28-3 during West’s final two seasons.
declared the Defensive Player of the Year for the Northeast Lakes District.
On3 ranked him as the #8 CB and the #63 player overall.
As a member of the Glenville track and field team, he has recorded times of 10.57 in the 100-meter dash and 6.81 in the 60-meter dash.
was a member of the 4×200-meter relay team that won the state championship.
a junior All-American by MaxPreps in 2022 after leading Glenville to a 15-0 victory; made four interceptions and did not allow a touchdown pass.
All-Ohio first team selection as a junior and senior.
is an All-American for Under Armour.
Shemika Scott and Bryan West are her parents.
Sam Williams-Dixon, RB; Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North; 5-11, 203
is rated as the third-best player in Ohio for his position.
played for West Holmes High School for his first three years of high school, then transferred to Pickerington North before the 2023 season.
In just five games as a senior, he scored four touchdowns and averaged 6.7 yards per carry.
contributed 10 touchdowns and 997 receiving yards while assisting the Knights in making their first-ever trip to the state semifinals.
had 41 touchdowns and almost 1,800 yards from scrimmage in his junior year.
76 touchdowns were accounted for in his last two seasons at West Homes.
I am Roddreka Dixon’s mother.
Damarion Witten, TE, Cleveland/Glenville; 6-4, 215
Known by the moniker “Toe.”
is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 17 overall player in the state of Ohio and the No. 25 tight end in the country.
received a four-star rating from the composite ranking of 247Sports.
declared the American team’s Most Valuable Player. Army Bowl; three touchdowns and 96 yards receiving on four passes caught.
clocked five passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns (including a 38-yard touchdown) in the state championship game victory over Archbishop Alter, 38-3.
Glenville had won two titles in a row; the Tarblooders had finished 28-3 in the previous two campaigns.
received first-team All-Ohio recognition.
plays basketball for Glenville as well.
Dale Witten is the father and Crystal Hopgood is the mother.
