Ohio State Football Recruiting: Defense-Heavy Class Ensures Buckeyes' Success

Ohio State is in good hands with Urban Meyer. 

The coaching legend wasted no time making rapid improvements at Ohio State. He took a team that went 7-6 in 2011 and turned it into an undefeated 12-0 team this past season, and he did that without even having the luxury of much recruiting time. 

This year it is different. Meyer is one of the game's best recruiters, and he is using those skills to help solidify the Buckeyes defense. 

Ohio State's 2013 class is currently second in Scout.com's national rankings. Scout reports that the Buckeyes have 22 commits for the 2013 class. Fourteen of those are on the defensive side of the ball. 

This class includes five players rated in ESPN's top 150 recruits and another four in their top 300. 

The Buckeyes needed this infusion of talent on the defensive end. While Ohio State made huge overall gains last season, it actually slipped on defense. 

In 2011, the Buckeyes were 27th in the nation in scoring defense and 25th in yards allowed. Last year, Ohio State was 32nd in scoring defense and 36th in yards allowed.

Ohio State will be bringing in the kind of talent that will make an immediate impact—like  6’1”, 185-pound cornerback, Eli Apple. He is polished for a kid coming out of high school and he has all the tools to be a shutdown corner. 

However, this class will have a far greater impact as it collectively matures, and it is the basis for a solid defense. Give Urban Meyer a good defense, and he will produce in a huge way. 

Meyer is an offensive mastermind. Just look at the huge improvements he was able to lead quarterback Braxton Miller to this past season. 

As long as Meyer is at Ohio State, that offense is going to be dangerous. With the infusion of incoming defensive talent, the Buckeyes are ready for a prolonged run of greatness.