COLUMBUS, Ohio — We’re two months away from Signing day, and Ohio State soccer’s 2023 recruiting class is close to full. So why not take yet another shot at predicting how issues will end out?

Our first shot at predicting the category got here after the early signing interval for the 2022 class that includes 22 gamers price 316.30 factors with 11 top-100 recruits. That checklist had six gamers who’ve already dedicated, with five-star vast receiver Brandon Inniss the highest-rated of the bunch.

Our second shot got here featured 27 gamers price 316.38 factors. It adopted a month of official visits in June, which has sometimes led to a variety of commitments quickly after. That didn’t fairly occur on the degree one would’ve anticipated this time. Of the 25 gamers who have been nonetheless undecided after they took official visits, solely 9 ended up selecting OSU. You then add in two of the dedicated guys who decommitted as effectively.

This last shot predicts a 23-man class price 306.60 factors with eight gamers being inside the highest 101 nationally.

Right here’s a last prediction of Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class:

Keon Keeley is coming off a visit to Tuscaloosa to observe the Alabama recreation, so after all, the thought is that the Crimson Tide have gained yet one more five-star battle over OSU. I’ve persistently thought Keeley finally ends up a Buckeye even when he was nonetheless dedicated to Notre Dame, so I gained’t again off this one now.

This prediction is predicated on the concept he could also be a greater soccer slot in Columbus as a conventional defensive finish in a 4-3 scheme as an alternative of a speeding exterior linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He’s extra Chase Younger than Will Anderson, and that is likely to be all of the benefit Ohio State wants. Ryan Day and Larry Johnson are anticipated to see him — plus five-star Damon Wilson — someday this week.

Caleb Downs dedicated to Alabama over the summer season, however Ohio State hasn’t stopped recruiting him and possibly gained’t cease till he’s signed or it’s clear it has no probability of flipping him. Doing so might be a tough promote, however simply as Keeley is likely to be a greater soccer match, Downs will be the identical culturally. Plus, a protection that’s residing as much as expectations can go a good distance in convincing five-stars in SEC nation to return north.

My reasoning behind why I believe Matayo Uiagalelei finally ends up a Buckeye hasn’t modified. He’s spent an excellent period of time in Columbus the previous 12 months, and the Uiagalelei household has already despatched one baby east to Clemson. It’s not loopy to assume they’d ship one other. USC’s reemergence underneath Lincoln Riley makes this a extra fascinating battle, although, as a result of the choice for the California native is now sensible.

One other title to keep watch over over the subsequent two months is Arion Carter because the No. 393 participant and No. 24 athlete. Proper now, he’s a Memphis commit, however he spent September choosing up gives from Alabama, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, USC and a bevy of different faculties. It seems like his days within the Tigers’ class are quantity. The four-star recruit will attend the Indiana recreation on Nov. 12.

I left him out of the category as a result of it’s approach too early to decide both approach on what might occur with him with all the brand new choices he has. OSU could be content material if Arvell Reese ended up being the one linebacker on this class. Its scheme solely requires two to be on the sector, and nobody within the two-deep is assured to be gone after the season. But when one other is added, Carter is the perfect candidate to be so.

Lastly, offensive recruits could also be accomplished for this cycle. The Buckeyes would love so as to add five-star Samson Okunlola — No. 16 participant and No. 3 offensive deal with — to the fold, however there hasn’t been a lot floor lined. The one approach this ever turn out to be one thing is that if he ever decides to go to, however that doesn’t appear to be taking place proper now.

The offense’s job at this level is preserving groups like Miami away from Inniss and Mark Fletcher whereas additionally combating off Tennessee for Carnell Tate because the Volunteers attempt to get the vast receiver on campus this weekend for the Alabama recreation.

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