Working with 25, I have:
3 DB, probably Pryts, Fueller, Hamlin
WR, who knows
TE, Farrell
DE, Bosa
DT, who knows
OL, probably an interior guy
Shifting this discussion over here to keep it out of the Farrell thread.
So we're looking at:
QB: Tristen Wallace
RB: Kareem Walker
RB: George Hill
ATH: Demario McCall
WR: Austin Mack
WR: Craig-Myers/Victor/Corley
ATH: Kierre Hawkins
TE: Jake Hausmann
TE: Luke Farrell
OL: Michael Jordan
OL: Tyler Gerard
OL: Jack Wohlabaugh
P: Drew Chrisman
DT: Gary/Lawrence/Lawrence/Jackson
DT: Malik Barrow
DE: Nick Bosa
DE: Jonathon Cooper
DE: Terrell Hall
LB: Tuf Borland
LB: Aaron Hansford
DB: Wayne Davis
DB: Kareem Felder
DB: Jordan Fuller
DB: Andrew Pryts
DB: Damar Hamlin
Bosa and Farrell are IN, in my opinion. That puts the class at 19.
They are almost certainly going to take two more DBs. That's 21.
After that things get interesting.
Getting another DT is an absolute priority, that's 22.
Antwuan Jackson seems like the most likely candidate of the players listed by far; I think they have next to no shot with the other three. If they miss on everyone on the radar right now I really don't know what the other options would be. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Cue people complaining about Ohio State failing to land elite DTs... I personally don't think it's a big deal- there are plenty of options already on the roster and it is far from a crisis.
I think a third DB is next on the list, but definitely optional. They seem in good shape with all three listed and I think they would like to take all three if they can. That's 23.
Jaylon Jones is apparently a guy the staff likes a lot and he might nab a spot. They wouldn't go to four more, so someone would be dropped from the list above. I don't see Jones in Columbus so the point is probably moot.
They are obviously working hard to land an additional elite WR in the class, that would be 24.
Binjimen Victor seems like the most likely candidate right now. Craig-Myers reminds me a little bit of the Torrance Gibson recruitment but I'm really not expecting him in the class. I have completely given up on Corely being a Buckeye.
If they don't get one of their top guys (which I think is really just the ones listed unless a surprise pops up) they will likely just stick with Mack and look to an insanely loaded '17 WR class.
I really like Hansford at LB; he is in the mold of Shazier and Lee as ultra athletic playmakers. However, he is the first one off the list in a numbers crunch.
After 21 there is obviously a lot of flexibility with who fills those spots.
My list of 25 is the absolute upper limit of who they can fit in the class.
They would likely have to get creative to find those numbers, which of course would raise ethical questions about "cutting" players.
The only way they get that high is if things go perfectly with their remaining targets- a blessing and a curse.
