Ohio State 2018 defensive end target Tyreke Smith (247Sports).
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- College football's new early signing period opened on Wednesday. It came with a fury. Ohio State lost a pair of commitments, and missed out on another five-star prospect in Jackson Carman, who felt like an Ohio State lock coming into the day.
When the first day ended, Ohio State had signed 21 commitments. The early signing period runs through Dec. 22, but don't expect any more noise from the Buckeyes. They should stand pat at 21.
They're also not done. There's another signing period in February, the normal signing period that begins on Feb. 7. Ohio State will sign a handful of other players in this class, and finish with at least 25 commitments, possibly more.
Who might those players be? Look below for a list of Ohio State's top remaining targets to round out the 2018 recruiting class.
By Bill Landis, cleveland.com
Before looking at the top targets, see who's already in the fold with a full breakdown of Ohio State's 2018 recruiting class.
Tyreke Smith, Defensive End
Ohio State likely still hasn't filled the defensive end hole in this class. The Buckeyes signed three-star athlete Alex Williams on Wednesday, but Urban Meyer was talking like Williams will get his first crack with Ohio State at tight end.
So Smith, the four-star prospect and nation's No. 4 weak-side defensive end out of Cleveland Heights, is tops on the Buckeyes' board heading into January. Smith will announce his decision on Jan. 4 at the Under Armour All-American Game. Ohio State is considered the favorite here.
Four-star defensive end Jayson Oweh (247Sports).
Jayson Oweh, Defensive End
The Buckeyes visited with Oweh in New Jersey last week, but he's still considered a Penn State lean. It's down to Penn State or Ohio State. Like Smith, Oweh will be announcing at the Under Armour Game on Jan. 4. It's a long shot that the Buckeyes can land Oweh at this point, but the nation's No. 5 strong-side defensive end is still on the board.
Four-star offensive tackle Rasheed Walker (247Sports).
Rasheed Walker, Offensive Tackle
By losing out on Carman, Ohio State stands with just two offensive line commitments in this class. The Buckeyes need another, and they need it to be a tackle. They signed four-star Max Wray on Wednesday, but need to replenish that position.
Waker, the No. 6 tackle in the country, is believed to be down to Penn State and Ohio State. Expect Ohio State to pursue him heavily once the dead period ends.
Nicholas Petit-Frere, Offensive Tackle
Same deal as Walker. Ohio State could use another tackle in this class. Petit-Frere is a five-star prospect out of Tampa, Fla., who could fill that void in a major way. Florida, Notre Dame, Alabama, Michigan, Auburn and Ohio State all appear to be in the mix here.
Four-star defensive tackle Tyler Friday (247Sports).
Tyler Friday, Defensive Tackle
Ohio State has three defensive tackles in this class, but has made some progress with Friday after hosting the New Jersey prospect for an official visit on Nov. 17. Expect that recruitment to continue. The Buckeyes will never turn away elite linemen on either side of the ball, and Friday is the No. 84 overall prospect in the country.
Solomon Tuliaupupu, Linebacker
Ohio State was hoping to take a swing at two elite linebackers late in this cycle. One was five-star prospect Palaie Gaoteote, who reaffirmed his commitment to USC and shut things down last week. The other is Tuliaupupu, who is considered a USC lean, but hasn't shut things down or committed yet.
Notre Dame is also in the mix, and the Buckeyes will try to get the country's No. 3 inside linebacker on campus for an official visit in January. Ohio State has three linebackers in this class, but would make room for the California prospect if we wanted to commit.
Chris Oats, Linebacker
Oats is playing the waiting game a little bit, presumably to see if Ohio State could have a spot for him down the line. The four-star linebacker from Cincinnati Winton Woods has the potential to play defensive end in college, depending on how his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame changes. I think the Buckeyes, who have four commitments from Ohio right now, end up with a spot for Oats.
Casey Rogers, Defensive End
Rogers could be a potential add for Ohio State down the line if some things go wrong with other defensive line targets. He took an official visit to Columbus last week, but didn't leave with an offer. Expect Ohio State to keep things warm with the former lacrosse player and three-star prospect from Connecticut.
Those are some names to keep in mind for now. More will emerge as Ohio State looks to fill real needs in this class (defensive end and offensive tackle), and starts to get a feel for where it stands with some of these prospects.
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