COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State picked up a commitment from four-star defensive tackle Tommy Togiai on Tuesday. Here's what it means for the Buckeyes:
* We'll get to what Togiai brings in a second, but first let's acknowledge how Ohio State has flipped the script when it comes to defensive tackle recruiting.
It started last year with the signing of four-star prospect Haskell Garrett out of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman. In this class, with the addition of Togiai, the Buckeyes have four top-flight defensive tackles in the last two recruiting classes. Togiai joins a class that already includes five-star Taron Vincent -- the top defensive tackle in the country -- and four-star junior college transfer Antwuan Jackson, who coming out of high school was the No. 7 defensive tackle prospect in the 2016 recruiting class.
After years of misses chasing some of the best defensive tackle prospect available, Ohio State will have three of the best in one class. This is without question the program's best defensive tackle haul under Urban Meyer, and right now the strongest position group in the 2018 class.
* This is another Larry Johnson special. The defensive line coach is the best in the country at what he does from a skill instruction standpoint with his players, and that's paying dividends. To go to Idaho and get a player who at one point was considered a USC lean, then a Washington lean, is no small victory.
Johnson and Meyer closed the deal with Togiai on an in-home visit on Tuesday.
* As Andrew Lind of Eleven Warriors pointed out, Togiai becomes the first Buckeye from Idaho. Kind of a cool distinction.
* Togiai will be a load in the middle of the defensive line. He gets off double teams well, and chases down plays at a pretty good clip for a guy who goes 6-foot-2 and is right around 300 pounds.
The No. 9 defensive tackle in the country also plays center for the basketball team at Highland High School.
Togiai fits the mold of athletic defensive linemen that Ohio State looks for across the board. It isn't just looking for big space eaters, but guys who can pass rush from the inside and chase down outside running plays. Togiai can do that.
* Three defensive tackles in this class fills a major need with Tracy Sprinkle and Michael Hill, both seniors, gone after this year. It's also likely that Dre'Mont Jones moves on to the NFL, with some projecting him as a possible first-round pick.
With the way Johnson rotates on the defensive line now, a deep room at tackle or end likely won't deter most players. So even with some young linemen ready for bigger roles next year, Togiai -- and Vincent and Jackson -- have a path to cracking the rotation in their first year in Columbus.
* Togiai is the 21st commitment in Ohio State's 2018 recruiting class, which is ranked No. 1 in the 247Sports composite ratings.