Ohio State Football: Can Buckeyes Run Away with 2017's No. 1 Recruiting Class?

Ohio State is at the top of the mountain after marching through the first-ever College Football Playoff, and that improbable championship run could put the Buckeyes atop the recruiting rankings in 2017.

That's something Urban Meyer is working toward, and he's well on his way with the class he's putting together.

The Buckeyes already have seven commitments for their '17 class, which currently ranks No. 1 nationally. They reclaimed the top spot from Miami with the commitment of Jake Moretti, a 4-star offensive tackle who offered his verbal pledge on Saturday.

With Ohio State's early success and the key targets left on the board, there's a chance that Meyer could run away with that No. 1 ranking.

The foundation for this class was set early by Danny Clark, a 4-star standout and pro-style quarterback hailing from Akron, Ohio. Clark committed in December 2013, just a month after finishing up his freshman season.

Credit: 247 Sports

It took 13 months for the Buckeyes to get another commitment. 

On January 12—the night Ohio State steamrolled Oregon to win the national title—Meyer got his second '17 pledge from 5-star cornerback Shaun Wade. His announcement triggered a string of commitments for the Buckeyes, who brought 5-star offensive tackle Josh Myers, 4-star athlete Bruce Judson, 4-star cornerback Marcus Williamson and 4-star running back Todd Sibley into the fold before the close of spring practice. 

Ohio State's recruiting success shouldn't surprise anyone. 

Dating back to 2007, when LSU beat Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game, only two title-winning teams failed to sign the nation's top recruiting class the following year. The two exceptions were Auburn in 2010, which fired Gene Chizik after a disastrous 2012 season, and Florida State in '13, which just signed the nation's No. 3 class.

Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class is shaping up as one of the country's best—the 16-member group ranks No. 3 behind LSU and Florida State—but the positive impact of winning the College Football Playoff is showing up big for the 2017 recruiting cycle. 

Building off what the Buckeyes already have, Meyer is in the driver's seat for some of the nation's top '17 prospects. Specifically, Ohio State is in the lead for a pair of 5-star wide receivers in Trevon Grimes (rated the No. 1 wideout for 2017) and Donovan Peoples-Jones (a stud pass-catcher from Michigan's top in-state recruiting pipeline). 

Credit: 247 Sports

Ohio State is also in the lead for the commitment of high 4-star prospects Isaiah Pryor (safety), Lamont Wade (cornerback) and Darnell Ewell (defensive tackle), and Meyer is in the thick of things for 5-star defensive end Joshua Kaindoh and 4-star receiver Keyshawn Johnson. 

With the momentum the Buckeyes have for 2017, it's hard to imagine them forfeiting their stranglehold on the No. 1 spot any time soon. 

All recruiting information via 247Sports.

David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.