Top twenty rated Ohio State football defensive recruits of all time

Phil Harrison

Sun, Jul 4, 2021, 7:49 PM·7 min read

In case you haven’t heard, the Ohio State football program technically landed its highest-rated defensive prospect in the history of keeping track of these sorts of things. That’s right, defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau picked the Buckeyes over Oregon, USC, and Washington on Sunday — and all of Buckeye Nation rejoiced.

It got us thinking though. Who are the other highly rated defensive prospects that he passed over on the way to becoming the best? So, we decided to check and share it all with you based on the 247Sports Composite Rankings. The tools haven’t been around that long, and that means we’re not going all the way back to the 70s and 80s — not even the 90s in fact.

Still, you’ll see that there are some pretty big names on the list, and the fact that Tamilauio is ranked ahead of them all should have everyone pretty excited.

So, here it is. The top twenty defensive commitments in the history of tracking and ranking prospects in Ohio State’s recruiting efforts. We count down from twenty to No. 1 Tuimoloau.

Taron Vincent, Defensive Line

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Apr 17, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (8) and defensive tackle Taron Vincent (6) following the annual spring game at Ohio Stadium. Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The Goods

247Sports Composite Rating: .9884 (5-star)

Ranking in the 2018 class

No. 1 rated defensive tackle, No. 20 overall prospect

C.J. Hicks, Linebacker

Kettering Alter running back C.J. Hicks Jr is tackled by Hamilton Badin defenders during their playoff game, Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The Goods

247Sports Composite Rating: .9886 (5-star)

Ranking in the 2022 class

No. 2 rated linebacker, No. 17 overall prospect

Adolphus Washington, Defensive End

Where would Ohio State have been in 12-team CFP through playoff era?

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles against Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Adolphus Washington (92) in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Goods

247Sports Composite Rating: .9895 (5-star)

Ranking in the 2012 class

No. 2 weakside defensive end, No. 19 overall prospect

Raekwon McMillan, Linebacker

Ohio State vs. Clemson: Cowherd makes pick while trashing Big Ten

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) tackles Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) in the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Goods

247Sports Composite Rating: .9896 (5-star)

Ranking in the 2014 class

No. 1 rated inside linebacker, No. 22 overall prospect

Dorian Bell, Linebacker

Sept 2, 2010; Columbus, OH, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back Andre Booker (19) fumbles while being tackled by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Dominic Clarke (28) and linebacker Dorian Bell (11) on the opening play of their game at Ohio Stadium. Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

The Goods

247Sports Composite Rating: .9899 (5-star)

Ranking in the 2009 class

No. 2 rated outside linebacker, No. 20 overall prospect

Curtis Grant, Linebacker

Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Curtis Grant (14) celebrates a big defensive play against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first quarter of the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

The Goods

247Sports Composite Rating: .9901 (5-star)

Ranking in the 2011 class

No. 1 rated inside linebacker, No. 23 overall prospect

Shaun Wade, Cornerback

Former Ohio State DB Shaun Wade officially inks rookie deal for Ravens

Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade (24) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The Goods

247Sports Composite Rating: .9904 (5-star)

Ranking in the 2017 class

No. 2 rated cornerback, No. 17 overall prospect

Jamario O'Neal, Cornerback

Jan 7, 2008: New Orleans, LA, USA: Ohio State Buckeyes safety Jamario O'Neal (3) carries the ball after making a catch in the first quarter against the LSU Tigers during the BCS National Championship game at the Louisiana Superdome. Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Goods

247Sports Composite Rating: .9908 (5-star)

Ranking in the 2005 class

No. 3 rated cornerback, No. 23 overall prospect

Donte Whitner, Cornerback

Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The Goods

247Sports Composite Rating: .9912 (5-star)

Ranking in the 2003 class

No. 3 rated cornerback, No. 22 overall prospect

Marco Cooper, Linebacker

Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The Goods

247Sports Composite Rating: .9918 (5-star)

Ranking in the 2000 class

No. 1 rated outside linebacker, No. 16 overall prospect

Jaheim Singletary, Cornerback

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