Ohio State Football: Meyer and the Buckeyes Lose out on Their Top OL Target

With 22 commitments already in the fold, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is looking to put the finishing touches on his 2013 recruiting class.

Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, that finishing touch won't include 3-star offensive tackle Dan Skipper, Meyer's top offensive line target.

The former Tennessee commit reopened his recruitment after Derek Dooley's termination, and it quickly became a two-horse race between Arkansas and Ohio State. Meyer and the Buckeyes lost that race, though, according to The Denver Post.

"

Arkansas landsabig recruit in Colorado prep OL Dan Skipper (6-10, 295), who also had offers from Tenn, Ohio State, Michigan and Ole Miss

— Dudley E. Dawson (@Dedsports) January 28, 2013"

Despite the fact that Arkansas will be going through a transition with new head coach Bret Bielema, Skipper is very familiar with offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and offensive line coach Sam Pittman, both of whom were coaching at Tennessee when Skipper initially committed to the Volunteers. 

Meyer was looking to add depth to an offensive line that recently lost one of its most heralded members in Joey O'Connor, but he will have to look elsewhere now that Skipper is off the table.

The only other prospect on Meyer's radar is Cameron Hunt, a 4-star offensive guard who is currently committed to California. If Hunt decides to stick with the Golden Bears, Meyer will likely be stuck with what he has.

Ohio State's 2013 recruiting class features just two pure offensive lineman—4-star offensive tackle Evan Lisle and 3-star offensive tackle Tim Gardner—although defensive line prospects Billy Price and Donovan Munger could both make a switch to add depth on offense.

The Buckeyes return four starters from last year's offensive line in 2013, but all four of those starters will be graduating after the end of the season. Building depth now for 2014 and beyond is one of Meyer's top priorities. 

*All recruit rankings per ESPN

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