Ohio State Football Recruiting 2023: Top Remaining Recruits, Class Predictions

The Ohio State Buckeyes returned to the College Football Playoff this past season and nearly upset the eventual champion Georgia Bulldogs in a 42-41 thriller.

Even though the Buckeyes missed out on the Big Ten title game, that performance showed they are still one of the nation's top programs.

However, reloading for the 2023 season will be a challenge. Key contributors like quarterback C.J. Stroud, tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba—all top-15 prospects in the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's end-of-season draft rankings—are headed to the NFL.

This year's recruiting class should play a significant role in setting up the Buckeyes for future playoff runs. It should gain a little more clarity this week, with Wednesday marking the start of the regular signing period.

Here, you'll find a look at some of the Buckeyes' top commits, some of the best uncommitted recruits still remaining and some predictions for how Ohio State's class will shake out in the spring.

Ohio State's 2023 Recruiting Class

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: A general view of an Ohio State Buckeyes helmet during the college football Playoff Semifinal game at the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 31, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Can the Buckeyes remain in the CFP conversation moving forward? Based on how their recruiting class has developed thus far, it appears likely.

Heading into Wednesday, they had the nation's fifth-ranked recruiting class. While the group only includes one 5-star recruit, Ohio State has already landed 20 total commits and 18 4-star players.

American Heritage (Florida) wide receiver Brandon Inniss is the program's lone 5-star, but he's a tremendous prospect.

"Arguably the most established prospect in the class of 2023," Andrew Ivins of 247Sports wrote. "Burst onto the scene making plays as an eighth grader down in South Florida and never left racking up accolade after accolade. Listed as a wide receiver and will likely get paid one day to catch passes."

The Buckeyes have churned out NFL-level pass-catchers with consistency, so Inniss picking them came as no surprise. He'll be joined by talented 4-star offensive players such as wideout Noah Rogers, receiver Carnell Tate, tight end Jelani Thurman and quarterback Lincoln Kienholz.

Ohio State should have a tremendous offense in the not-too-distant future to go with one of the Big Ten's steadier defenses. And it's probably not done adding incoming talent.

Top Recruits to Watch

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Archbishop Carroll ATH Nyckoles Harbor

Unfortunately for Buckeyes fans, the team appears unlikely to land another 5-star recruit this cycle. The two remaining players—Archbishop Carroll athlete Nyckoles Harbor and Pinnacle tight end Duce Robinson—have not been linked to Ohio State by either 247Sports or On3.

Quarterback and 4-star recruit Jaden Rashada, who decommitted from Florida following a NIL dispute, is also available but does not appear to be considering Ohio State. The same is true for 4-star cornerback Rodrick Pleasant.

Folsom tight end Walker Lyons is available after decommitting from Stanford, but the Cardinals and Georgia appear to be his top choices, per 247Sports.

The possibility of Ohio State flipping a top recruit at the last minute exists, but it feels unlikely. Instead of recruiting surprises, fans should be interested in tracking the transfer portal and early commits who could contribute this season.

Luke Montgomery, a 4-star offensive tackle, is a potential early enrollee who could see the field as a true freshman.

"We've discussed the idea of true freshmen winning tackle jobs in the past, but it would seem Montgomery has the most realistic road to making that happen," Stephen Means of Cleveland.com wrote. "He's made a physical transformation over the past year to help do that."

Predictions

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: The Ohio State Buckeyes run onto the field for the college football Playoff Semifinal game at the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 31, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Barring a major surprise, the Buckeyes are unlikely to dramatically improve their 2023 recruiting class. If anything, they will likely drop in the rankings when all is said and done.

Having a healthy crop of 4-star recruits will help keep Ohio State among the Big Ten favorites, but we could see its recruiting class jumped by teams currently ranked behind it.

Sixth-ranked LSU and seventh-ranked Miami, for example, trail in the number of 4-stars but have more total commits and a pair of 5-star recruits apiece. With Tennessee, Notre Dame, Oregon and Clemson following those two schools, there's a chance Ohio State falls out of the top 10 entirely.

However, it's not all bad news for the Scarlet and Gray. The Buckeyes could get a boost from the transfer portal. Former 4-star cornerback and Mississippi freshman All-American Davison Igbinosun has entered the portal and has made an official visit with the Buckeyes.

According to Josh Keatley of Buckeyes Wire, he is "strongly considering the Buckeyes, Michigan, and Tennessee."

Landing Igbinosun would help make up for a recruiting class that is strong but perhaps not quite as impressive as the Buckeyes fans would like.

Prediction: Ohio State signs Igbinosun but falls in the overall recruiting rankings.