The Buckeyes have strengthened their roster with the historic signing of two potent new players.
Due to the early signing period, National Signing Day was less exciting than in previous years, but it has come and gone. With a class ranked among the top five in the country, the Ohio State 2024 recruiting class has concluded another productive recruiting cycle.
Oregon won the top slot in the Big Ten, meaning that the Buckeyes did not finish in the top class for the first time since 2019. Ohio State secured the commitments of 22 players, by far the fewest of the top five classes, demonstrating their willingness to prioritize quality over number. Only Georgia and Alabama had higher average player rankings than Ohio State, according to 247Sports. Some athletes who signed but decided to transfer out after Nick Saban retired are included in that Alabama total.
Let’s examine the 11 offensive scholarship commits from Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class. This will just include the new freshmen, not the transfers (Julian Sayin is a transfer even if he is a true freshman).
The player is identified as an early enrollee by italics.
Examining the Ohio State 2024 recruiting class: Quarterbacks on offense (1)
Noland Air
Air Noland will be the first left-handed quarterback to pass for Ohio State since Steve Bellisari in 2001 when the Buckeyes take a snap. Noland was a standout player at Georgia’s Langston Hughes High School, where he received a four-star ranking from three of the top four recruitment agencies. Per Rivals, he’s a five-star prospect.
Noland’s impressive junior season helped him to emerge and gain national attention. The gifted quarterback led his team to a state championship while throwing for 4,095 yards and 55 touchdowns. Noland gained 2,140 yards and 22 touchdowns in his final season as a senior.
There was a lot of anticipation, and there still is, that Noland would become the first true freshman starting quarterback since Art Schlichter due to his exceptional athletic ability. Along with the two incumbents, Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz, as well as the incoming freshman transfer, Sayin, Noland will have to contend with the arrival of Will Howard.
Though time will tell if a spring will be sufficient, Noland possesses the skill. There is a fierce competition for the position in 2025, and Howard is probably going to play in 2024. Anticipate Noland to advance as the team’s starting quarterback of choice.
Running backs two (2)
Peoples James
James Peoples, a seventh-best running back in the country and a four-star prospect, transfers from Veterans Memorial High School in Texas to Columbus.
“My best attribute is my vision,” Peoples said to Eleven Warriors when questioned about his greatest quality. From my movement to my agility and dexterity,” Peoples remarked. “However, it’s challenging (to single out one quality) as I’m an excellent receiver. Prior to being a running back, I was a receiver, and I excelled at catching the ball, finding open space, and finding tight openings. However, my vision and speed in hitting the hole are probably my strongest points overall.
With Peoples, Ohio State is getting the whole package, and after trailing TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who aim to dominate the carries in 2024, they should be a consistent contributor in 2025.
Dixon, Sam Williams
In addition to Peoples, Ohio State also signed Sam Williams-Dixon, a three-star back from a highly successful high school in Ohio.
Williams-Dixon, a powerful athlete from Pickerington North, was a member of one of the state’s top football programs, where he played as a receiver and running back. Because he can take snaps anywhere on the field, he projects as a player for the Buckeyes similar to Xavier Johnson.
Williams-Dixon can be used early in special packages or on special teams because of his exceptional ball-handling ability. His physical adaptability will be a weapon in Ryan Day’s offensive scheme. Similar to Peoples, Williams-Dixon is probably going to play little in 2024 in order to prepare for a larger role in 2025.
Broad Recipients (2)
Smith Jeremiah
the best of the bunch. The finest. First place. After committing to Ohio State, Jeremiah Smith signed with the Buckeyes as the top-ranked player in the 2024 recruiting cycle, following a day-long ordeal. In the history of recruiting rankings, Ohio State has never before signed the top-ranked prospect.
Is there anything that hasn’t been said? Smith is the genuine article. His physical attributes are exceptional, even by Ohio State norms. He works as a technician who runs routes. His ability to make big plays is almost unrivaled.
Ohio State was Smith’s first choice during the early signing period, but the Buckeyes had to battle until the very last minute to get his signature. He arrived at the signing wearing two hats: one for Miami (FL) and one for Ohio State. The Buckeyes withstood a fierce charge from the Hurricanes.
Smith is talented enough to see playing time in a loaded receiver group even as a true freshman.
Lan Graham
Not to be overlooked is the second receiver in Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class. Mylan Graham, though he signed after Smith, is still a highly skilled receiver prospect.
Though Graham is entering a talented receiving group, he may also get a good amount of playing time in special teams in the future. In order to get younger players on the field, Ohio State like using them on special teams. Graham can make defenders miss with his acceleration, which will be useful on kick returns.
He’s a long receiver with excellent footwork, but he might use some strength training to improve his blocking. Graham may have a period of acclaim since he was a large fish in a smaller pond in Indiana. In either case, Graham will be a reliable player for the Buckeyes when his time comes, and Brian Hartline won’t miss.
Tight Ends (2)
Maxime LeBlanc
The physically intimidating six-foot-five, 225-pound tight end was among the top athletes in the state of Tennessee. Max LeBlanc offers a little bit more receiving danger than Ohio State has seen in a long time at the position.
LeBlanc walks into a mysterious tight end room as the nation’s fifteenth-best tight end. Ohio State has a lot of skill in the room, but they have frequently been underutilized throughout the years. Of course, that was before Cade Stover.
Since LeBlanc is more of a genuine receiving threat than a complete player, it will be difficult to get him on the field. It will help that he is a natural football catcher and fluid runner. Considering he just has five years of organized football experience, it’s astounding.
Damarion Witten
Damarion Witten is regarded as a superior long-term choice, but having a lower rating than his peer. Witten is the most recent Glenville to Ohio State graduate, having attended Glenville High School in Cleveland. The Buckeyes have made retaining their own talent a top priority once more.
Witten, who is currently six feet four and 215 pounds, has to put on a little more muscle because his build is more suited for a receiver. Witten, like LeBlanc, will start low on the depth chart and have to climb the ladder. But as he matures, he presents a matchup nightmare and appears to have the potential to become a real receiving threat for the Buckeyes.
Line of Offense (4)
Ian Moore
The Ohio State recruiting class of 2024 at least partially addressed a topic on which the Buckeyes have struggled recently. Ian Moore, a four-star interior offensive lineman, is the first reinforcement on the way. Although he played left tackle in high school, the New Palestine, Indiana native believes he should play guard at the next level. He will still compete this spring against the tackles, though.
Moore, Indiana’s best offensive lineman, attended the All-American Bowl with a few of his future colleagues. At six feet six inches and 317 pounds, Moore is already large enough to contend.
Moore will battle for whatever playing time he can receive, since at least four of the starting five offensive lineman have already been determined, for better or worse. He might be another member of this class to have significance in 2025.
Armstrong, Devontae & Deontae
In relation to formidable Ohio high school teams, the Armstrong twins attend Ohio State following their consecutive OHSAA Division I State Championship victories. Holding down the left side of the line for the prestigious Lakewood St. Ed’s program, the two were both three-star recruits.
Deontae Armstrong, who played left tackle for his program, is regarded as being marginally superior to his twin. He has a somewhat higher projected ceiling and is a little more athletic and slim. He is a proactive blocker who is frequently seen moving downfield in search of opportunities.
Alongside his twin, Devontae Armstrong was the left guard. Because he is slightly heavier and shorter, he is expected to stay inside. He was a very good run blocker and already had good strength.
VanSickle, Gabe
The hiring process wasn’t without incident. Since taking over, Justin Frye’s coaching and recruiting decisions have been closely watched. Ohio State doesn’t frequently compete with schools like Northwestern for recruits, but in the 2024 recruiting class, it managed to land a fourth offensive lineman and flip Gabe VanSickle.
In order to acquire the three-star interior offensive lineman from Michigan, the Buckeyes ventured into hostile territory. Coaches were drawn to VanSickle because of his athletic ability given his stature. For a six-foot-five, 315-pound guard, he glides remarkably well and is an excellent puller. Although VanSickle is viewed as a project, he has the potential to satisfy the demand for athleticism in Ohio State’s attack.
