3-star offensive lineman Avery Henry staying home, signs with Ohio State football

Ohio native Avery Henry will stay in state to play on the offensive line for the Ohio State Buckeyes after signing with them Wednesday.

The 6-foot-6, 305-pounder from Saint Clairsville was the No. 44 player in the state and the 123rd-best offensive lineman in the country, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He was previously committed to Iowa State before changing his mind, stating a desire to stay close to home.

He helped lead the Red Devils to a 13-2 record and a spot in the OHSAA Division IV regional final before losing to Bloom-Carroll 14-3. He was also named Division IV all-state by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.

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The 2022 Ohio State football recruiting class

• C.J. Hicks, LB

• Gabe Powers, LB

• Devin Brown, QB

• Caleb Burton, WR

• Kaleb Brown, WR

• Kenyatta Jackson, DE

• Kyion Grayes, WR

• Tegra Tshabola, OT

• Kojo Antwi, WR

• Jyaire Brown, CB

• Dallan Hayden, RB

• George Fitzpatrick, OT

• Ryan Turner, CB

• Kye Stokes, S

• Bennett Christian, TE

• Avery Henry, OT

• Sonny Styles, S

• Caden Curry, DL

Where Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class ranks

Ohio State entered December National Signing Day with the No.4-ranked recruiting class.

They trail Georgia, Alabama and Texas A&M. Those three programs plan to sign three 5-star recruits each.

When is the next National Signing Day?

In 2017, the NCAA brought back the early signing day for football. It went into effect in 2018. But before that, the first Wednesday of February was National Signing Day for football recruits.

The next signing will be Feb. 2.

However, recruits don’t have to sign that day. Last year, Ohio State signed J.T. Tuimoloau in the summer.

Buckeyes continue to dominate Ohio in-state recruiting

With C.J.Hicks joining the Buckeyes, Ohio State has now signed the highest-rated recruit from Ohio for four straight classes. The last top-rated recruit, according to 247 Sports Composite rankings, to sign with another program was Jackson Carman of Fairfield High School in 2018, who chose Clemson. Carman was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals

The Buckeyes will likely continue that trend in 2023 with the arrival of Sonny Styles of Pickerington Central. The safety committed to Ohio State on Nov. 13. If he does sign, he will be the seventh highest-rated player to ever sign with the Buckeyes

Who are the highest rated recruits ever from Ohio?

Here are the five highest-rated recruits since the early 2000s to come from Ohio:

1. Ted Ginn, Jr., Cleveland Glenville (2004), signed with Ohio State

2. Jack Sawyer , Pickerington North (2021), signed with Ohio State

3. Prescott Burgess, Warren G Harding (2003), signed with Michigan

4. Beanie Wells, Akron Garfield (2006), signed with Ohio State

5. Jordan Hicks, Lakota West (2010), signed with Texas

How does Ohio State's 2023 recruiting class look right now?

As of now, Ohio State has two commitments in its 2023 class. Tight end Tyler Lockwood of Independence, Tenn. (four stars) and Dayton Wayne standout lineman Joshua Padilla (four stars) have committed to Ohio State.

The 10-highest rated recruits to sign with Ohio State

The recruiting ranking era began in the early 2000s. Here are the 10 highest-rated players to sign with Ohio State.

1. Quinn Ewers, QB, Southlake Carroll High School (2021)

2. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Jeannette High School, (2008)

3. Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Cleveland Glenville (2004)

4. J.T. Tuimoloau, DL, Sammamish (Wash.) Eastside Catholic (2021)

5. Jack Sawyer, DL, Pickerington North High School (2021)

6. Julian Fleming, WR, Catawissa (Pa.) Southern Columbia High School (2020)

7. Noah Spence, DE, Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt (2012)

8. Nick Bosa, DE, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas (2016)

9. Beanie Wells, RB, Akron Garfield High School (2006)

10. Sam Maldonado, RB, Harrison (NY.) High School (2000)

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Avery Henry signs with Ohio State football on National Signing Day