Larry Johnson sets tone for Ohio State 2024 defensive line recruiting with Justin Scott

Larry Johnson has officially started Ohio State's 2024 defensive line class.

Sixteen players into the Buckeyes' 2024 class, Johnson secured his first commitment of the cycle. And for Ohio State, it was a major one, securing Justin Scott: a 5-star defensive lineman out of St. Ignatius High School in Chicago.

Scott, standing at 6-foot-4, 310 pounds as a defensive tackle, is the highest-rated defensive lineman Ohio State has secured since getting both Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau in the 2021 class.

For Johnson, the timeline of a late-developing defensive line class has been a recent trend, especially with out-of-state prospects.

Of the 18 defensive linemen signed in the past five recruiting classes, 12 have committed in the July before the December Early Signing Period or later, including three straight classes — Tuimoloau in 2021, defensive tackle Hero Kanu in 2022 and defensive end Joshua Mickens in 2023 — where a defensive lineman was the last player to commit.

And with Scott's commitment Sunday, Ohio State is only getting started in the 2024 class.

While the Buckeyes have picked up eight defensive linemen in the 2022 and 2023 classes combined, the team has eight defensive linemen on scholarship that could leave after the 2023 season, becoming eligible for the NFL draft after at least three years of eligibility, including Mitchell Melton, who's listed as a linebacker on the Buckeyes' roster.

According to ESPN NFL analyst Todd McShay's May 2024 NFL mock draft, Tuimoloau, Sawyer and Michael Hall Jr. are each projected as first round picks.

Justin Scott commits to Ohio State: Larry Johnson, Ohio State adds 5-star defensive lineman Justin Scott to 2024 class

During Ohio State's June official visit season, according to 247Sports, eight 2024 defensive linemen heard Johnson's pitch, including 4-star defensive lineman Nigel Smith II, who is scheduled to announce his commitment in September, 5-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston, who is scheduled to announce his commitment Aug. 22, and 5-star defensive end Dylan Stewart.

Of those eight players that had Ohio State official visits in June, only two — Scott and four-star Darien Mayo, who committed to Clemson June 22 — have made college decisions.

One decision is set to come soon, as 4-star defensive end Marquise Lightfoot is scheduled to announce his commitment Monday night. According to many recruiting analysts, Lightfoot is projected to pick Ohio State.

Ohio State has been active recruiting other defensive positions, securing commitments from cornerback Bryce West, safety Jaylen McClain and linebackers Garrett Stover and Payton Pierce.

But for Johnson, many 2024 pieces are still on the board as the Buckeyes look to rebuild its defensive front. And with Scott committed into Ohio State's 2024 class, that process has officially begun.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football recruiting: What Justin Scott's commitment means