Ohio State Signing Day: Meet Buckeyes 5-Star Recruits

Ohio State signing day will have Buck Nuts across the country eagerly anticipating the future, and Urban Meyer won’t leave them disappointed.

According to 247Sports, Urban Meyer’s recruiting class is the second best in the nation, trailing only Nick Saban and Alabama.

Like any rankings, the stars are just a projection, but boy do they matter in the world of college football.

Alabama boasted 23 five-star recruits in its run to the CFP Championship. The Tide didn’t win it all, but you get the point. They’re consistently at the top of the polls.

It’s interesting to note that the Buckeyes have netted just five five-star recruits in the last five years. They’ll count five this year, alone.

Here’s the five stars who will be joining up with Ohio State.

Jeffrey Okudah, DB

What do the “experts” think about Okudah’s stock on Signing Day. Some have compared him to Jalen Ramsey, a top five pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

This blue chip talent from South Grand Prairie, TX may should get a  chance to play immediately with Malik Hooker and Gareon Conley leaving school early for the 2017 draft.

All Buckeyes coach Kerry Coombs seems to do is develop first-round defensive backs, so it will be interesting to see how Okudah progresses from spring practice into the summer training camp.

That’s right, Okudah will be at spring practice. He’s already enrolled and on campus.

Baron Browning, LB

https://twitter.com/MaxPreps/status/821430806287556608

How coveted was Browning? The 247Sports five-star’s final decision was between Ohio State and Alabama, the two biggest national recruiting power houses. Browning could be another kid who sees the field sooner than later.

He was a man among boys on the prep gridiron, with his measurables listed at  6-foot-4, 230-pounds.

Browning is the highest-rated linebacker Meyer has signed since arriving in Columbus — higher than Raekwon McMillan in 2014 and Justin Hilliard in 2015, according to Eleven Warriors.

Scarlet and Game’s Josh Keatley compared Browning to former OSU star and current San Diego Charger Joshua Perry, although I’d argue Browning’s ceiling is higher.

“During his time as a Buckeye, Perry was a very solid run stopper and came extremely hard on the blitz as well, which are similarities he and Browning share. The difference is Browning looks bigger and faster than Perry did when he was in high school and even more active covering the pass. Browning should quickly surpass what Perry did during his time as a Buckeye,” Keatley wrote.

With McMillan declaring for the NFL Draft, Browning could find himself moving to middle linebacker and starting in 2017 if all goes well. It’s an attainable goal, based on his physical abilities.

Shaun Wade, CB:

https://twitter.com/TheOpening/status/790716787742547969

“I have to be great, it’s not a choice.” That’s what Wade believes about in his ability. Wade was rated as the second best corner in the country, according to 247Sports.

Like Okudah, Wade should thrive playing for defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs.

“Coach Coombs, he teaches great technique,” Wade said. “You can see he gets a lot of DBs to the league (NFL). He’s got three going this year, so he knows what he’s doing.”

Wade offered up a scouting report on himself, and described his attributes as “Long, 4.4 speed, have good feet, athletic, and great ball skills,” he said in a video posted to Twitter.

Wade is already on campus. If he’s as good as he says he is, you’ll be seeing him on Saturday’s this fall.

Chase Young, DE

Young’s already 6-5, 251 pounds. He’s explosive and looked stellar in practices leading up to the Army All-American game. That effort translated onto the field, as well. Young is rated as the No. 4 prospect in the country, according to 247Sports.

How bright is Young’s star?

He’s a guy that has the upside to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft,” 247Sports’ Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong said. “He’s a very disruptive defensive end.”

Unlike the previous players mentioned, Young may have a tougher time seeing playing in 2017 because the Buckeyes return a ton of talent on the defensive line. Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard, Jalyn Holmes and Nick Bosa will also be back reading havoc on quarterbacks next season.

Wyatt Davis, OG

Davis is 6-5, 310 pounds with NFL bloodlines. His granddad is NFL Hall of Famer Willie Davis. The teenager already has an NFL body. California’s “Mr. Football” is listed as a hard commit, according to 247 Sports.

Davis is ranked as the No. 1 offensive guard and the No. 15 overall recruit in the country in the 2017 class, per the 247Sports Composite ranking.

With three of the Buckeyes five five-stars already in school, there isn’t much for Buckeye fans to worry about leading up to the moment Young and Davis sign their national letters of intent.

But if there is one to worry about, it’s Davis. Despite several personal declarations that he’s going to the Buckeyes, recruiting scribes have consistently tried to link him to other schools.

Next: Urban Meyer's Kid Will Play Baseball At UC

Davis is likely to see the field in 2017, but he probably won’t start because of guys like Jamarco Jones, Isaiah Prince and Michael Jordan, who also avoided redshirting.