Buckeyes Sign 15 to National Letters of Intent
Ohio State’s class ranks among the top in the Big Ten and nation
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day, who will take over as the Buckeyes’ head coach on Jan. 2, announced the initial members of Ohio State’s 2019 recruiting class on Wednesday. The group includes 15 prospects and makes up a Top-15 rated class according to 247Sports.com.
“When you look at this class, what comes to mind is loyalty,” said Day. “What also comes to mind are the great families and quality student-athletes that are coming into our program. We’re very excited about the future as these guys will be a foundation moving forward into the next few years.”
A trio of five-star prospects headline the class. WR Garrett Wilson, DE Zach Harrison and OL Harry Miller are all rated among the best players at their position, and all added another significant achievement last week: they were named finalists for the All-American Bowl Man of the Year, which is awarded based on “a high standard of excellence in community service, education and athletic distinction.”
The class of new Buckeyes includes players from 10 different states, led by five from Ohio and two from Georgia. Two of the signees – LB Cade Stover and RB Marcus Crowley – were named Mr. Football in their respective states. Ohioans in the class, in addition to Harrison and Stover, are LB Tommy Eichenberg, DE Noah Potter and OL Ryan Jacoby. Potter and Jacoby were teammates at Mentor High School, the 2017 Division I state runner-up.
Players with top-five rankings at their positions include Wilson (No. 2 WR by 247Sports), Harrison (No. 1 DE by 247Sports and Rivals), Stover (No. 5 OLB by 247Sports, No. 4 by Rivals) and Miller (No. 2 C by 247Sports, No. 2 G by Rivals). The initial signing class also provides the Buckeyes with great balance – it includes players at eight different positions (four on offense, four on defense).
OHIO STATE SIGNING DAY ROSTER
Name Position Ht. Wt. Hometown / Previous School
Steele Chambers RB 6-2 215 Roswell, Ga. / Blessed Trinity Catholic
Marcus Crowley RB 6-1 200 Jacksonville, Fla. / Trinity Christian Academy
Tommy Eichenberg LB 6-3 225 Cleveland, Ohio / St. Ignatius
Zach Harrison DE 6-5 243 Lewis Center, Ohio / Olentangy Orange
Cormontae Hamilton TE 6-2 263 Memphis, Tenn. / Whitehaven
Ronnie Hickman SAF 6-1 200 Wayne, N.J. / DePaul Catholic
Ryan Jacoby OL 6-5 270 Mentor, Ohio / Mentor
Jaden McKenzie DT 6-3 285 Wake Forest, N.C. / Wake Forest
Harry Miller OL 6-4 310 Buford, Ga. / Buford
Noah Potter DE 6-5 250 Mentor, Ohio / Mentor
Bryson Shaw SAF 6-2 175 Potomac, Md. / The Bullis School
Cade Stover LB 6-4 225 Mansfield, Ohio / Lexington
Jameson Williams WR 6-2 170 St. Louis, Mo. / Cardinal Ritter College Prep
Garrett Wilson WR 6-1 180 Austin, Texas / Lake Travis
Craig Young ATH 6-4 200 Fort Wayne, Ind. / Wayne
Steele Chambers | RB | 6-2, 215 | Roswell, Ga. / Blessed Trinity Catholic
Rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports and among the top 20 athletes nationwide … a three-year starter for head coach Tim McFarlin … ran for 244 yards and three TDs while also throwing a touchdown pass to help Blessed Trinity Catholic advance to the Georgia 4A state title game … in the title game, ran for 98 yards and added five tackles on defense as Blessed Trinity won its second straight championship … over 1,500 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior … Georgia’s Region 7AAAA Player of the Year in 2017 for the state champion Titans … exceptional athlete who stood out as both a linebacker and running back … All-Georgia honoree as an athlete from the Atlanta Journal Constitution … Georgia Athletic Coaches Association all-state selection as a linebacker … rushed for 1,486 yards (6.9 yards per carry) as a sophomore and 1,301 as a junior … scored the go-ahead touchdown in the 2017 state title game … on defense, totaled 70 tackles (37 solo), six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks … parents are Stacy and Eric Chambers.
Marcus Crowley | RB | 6-1, 200 | Jacksonville, Fla. / Trinity Christian Academy
The four-star prospect by Rivals and a top 100-ranked player in the state of Florida … named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Florida in 2018 … rushed for 258 yards in a 34-7 win over Bolles School in the Region 1-5A finals … scored on runs of 60, 39 and 90 yards … was a MaxPrep/USA Football National Player of the Week nominee … had five 200-yard rushing games during his senior season … ran for over 2,000 yards and averaged better than 10 yards a carry and 150 yards per game over his senior season … plays for the same program that produced current Buckeye Shaun Wade and Tyreke Johnson … ran for 1,210 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior … parents are Shelly and Michael Wright.
Tommy Eichenberg | LB | 6-3, 225 | Cleveland, Ohio / St. Ignatius
A four-star recruit according to 247Sports.com who is a consensus top-10 ranked player in the state of Ohio … one of the top-20 ranked linebacker prospects by all of the major recruiting services … a first-team All-Ohio selection as a senior by the Ohio Prep Sports Writers Association … moved from outside to middle linebacker early in the 2018 season and finished with 126 total tackles (80 solo, 46 assists), eight sacks, 23 tackles-for-loss and five pass breakups … also had seven quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles and an interception … St. Ignatius started 0-2 but finished 8-1 and made the state playoffs with Eichenberg at middle linebacker … included in those eight wins was a 21-7 win over eventual state champion St. Edward … led the team with 81 tackles and 7.5 sacks as a junior … is a state qualifier for the St. Ignatius track and field team in the shot put … finished eighth at the state championship meet last spring … parents are Heather and Gregg Eichenberg.
Zach Harrison | DE | 6-5, 243 | Lewis Center, Ohio / Olentangy Orange
The consensus top-ranked player in the state of Ohio and a top-five prospect nationally … the nation’s No. 1 defensive end by all the major scouting services … earned a five-star designation by 247Sports.com, Scout.com and Rivals … a superb athlete who has been clocked at 4.47 in the 40-yard dash and he’s also run a 10.7 100 meters and a 21.5 200 meters … first team All-Ohio by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association and the Delaware County Defensive Player of the Year … had 14 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks in just seven games as a senior … will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 5 … invited to The Opening in 2017 and 2018 … named a finalist for the All-American Bowl Man of the Year … parents are Tracey and Jimmie Harrison.
Cormontae Hamilton | TE | 6-2, 263 | Memphis, Tenn. / Whitehaven
A three-star prospect and the No. 22 player in the state of Tennessee by 247Sports … the nation’s No. 22-ranked tight end by Rivals … member of The Commercial Appeal’s All-Metro team as a junior in 2017 … helped Whitehaven, under head coach Rodney Saulsberry, reach the Class 6A semifinals in 2017 … averaged better than 20 yards per reception … 2018 preseason 6A all-state selection and led Whitehaven to the state finals … hauled in 18 passes for 278 and five touchdowns as a senior for the 11-4 Tigers … mother is Nikki Gilmore.
Ronnie Hickman | SAF | 6-1, 200 | Wayne, N.J. / DePaul Catholic
New Jersey’s third-ranked recruit overall by 247Sports.com and is a top 150 prospect nationally … checks in with a No. 9 ranking as an athlete according to 247Sports … plays on both sides of the ball for DePaul Catholic, lining up at wide receiver and safety … an injury cut his senior season short, but not before he totaled 609 receiving yards and nine TDs on 26 catches … recorded 19 tackles and five pass breakups … caught 44 passes for 809 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior while also contributing 44 tackles, two interceptions and nine PBU on defense … had 945 all-purpose yards in 2017 … is the third New Jersey native to sign with the Buckeyes in the last two classes, joining Javontae Jean-Baptise and Tyler Friday from last year’s class … is nicknamed “The Rocket” … helped DePaul Catholic win New Jersey’s Non Public Group III state title as a junior in 2017 … played for head coach John McKenna … parents are Hanifah Crawley and Ronnie Hickman Sr.
Ryan Jacoby | OL | 6-5, 270 | Mentor, Ohio / Mentor
Four-star prospect according to 247Sports who is Ohio’s No. 8-ranked player … was the second member of the 2019 class to give his verbal commitment … first-team All-Ohio as a junior and senior playing left tackle for Mentor, the 2017 Division I state runner-up … the Cardinals were 13-2 and averaged 41.2 points per game on their way to the state finals in 2017 … Mentor was 11-2 in 2018 and once again featured one of the state’s highest scoring offenses, averaging 36.9 points per game … a finalist for the Tony Fisher Award … coached by Steve Trivisonno … was a member of Mentor’s wrestling team as a freshman and sophomore … parents are Lisa and Michael Jacoby.
Jaden McKenzie | DT | 6-3, 285 | Wake Forest, N.C. / Wake Forest
A three-star prospect who has been a key contributor in helping Wake Forest High School win three consecutive 4A state championships … rated as the No. 48 defensive tackle prospect in the nation and the No. 32 player in North Carolina by 247Sports … recorded 71 tackles and 10.5 sacks as a senior … selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, an annual all-star game between players from North Carolina and South Carolina … finished his high school career on a 45-game winning streak … four-year varsity letterwinner … as a junior, compiled 97 tackles, 23 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks … totaled 28.5 sacks over his final three seasons … originally from New Orleans … mother is Quandra McKenzie.
Harry Miller | OL | 6-4, 310 | Buford, Ga. / Buford
Five-star prospect who is the nation’s No. 2-ranked center according to 247Sports.com … No. 31-rated prospect overall according to 247Sports.com … a versatile player who played guard, tackle and center for Buford High School and head coach John Ford … Buford was 10-3 in Miller’s senior season and reached the Class AAAAA quarterfinals … with Miller paving the way, Buford averaged 41.6 points per game in 2018 and scored 50 or more points four times … helped Buford finished 11-2 as a junior in 2017 while advancing to the Class 5A state semifinals … participated in Nike’s The Opening last June and was named the camp’s most valuable offensive lineman … a straight-A student and likely class valedictorian … a finalist for the All-American Bowl Man of the Year Award … has made numerous mission trips to Nicaragua … parents are Kristina and Sean Miller.
Noah Potter | DE | 6-5, 250 | Mentor, Ohio / Mentor
Ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 6 player in Ohio by 247Sports … earned All-Ohio honors for head coach Steve Trivisonno at Mentor as both a junior and senior … 49 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss and five sacks and 30 QB hurries as a senior for a defense that allowed just 13.3 points per game … anchored a defense that led the Cardinals to the Division I state championship game in 2017 … had 68 tackles, 32 quarterback hurries, 10 sacks and eight tackles-for-loss … led the greater Cleveland area with over 25 tackles for loss as a senior … his older brother, Micah, was a member of the Ohio State men’s basketball team in 2016-17 and 2017-18 … parents are Ronda and Tim Potter.
Bryson Shaw | SAF | 6-2, 175 | Potomac, Md. / The Bullis School
Three-star prospect and the No. 9 player in the state of Maryland according to 247Sports … a do-it-all safety/wide receiver as well as a standout lacrosse player for The Bullis School … has also seen time as a running back and wide receiver … named the team’s most valuable player and the Defensive player of the Year in the Interstate Athletic Conference as a senior … as a junior, caught five touchdown passes, had a TD run and also returned a kickoff and fumble for scores … on defense, totaled 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles … parents are Jill and Bryn Shaw.
Cade Stover | LB | 6-4, 225 | Mansfield, Ohio / Lexington
The fourth-ranked player in Ohio and the No. 130 overall prospect according to 247Sports … named Ohio’s Mr. Football by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association and the Gatorade Player of the Year … the eighth-ranked linebacker nationally and a semifinalist for the High School Butkus Award honoring the nation’s top prep linebacker … selected as Ohio’s Division III Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and a first-team all-state selection after recording 163 tackles and four interceptions during the regular season … added 1,477 yards and 17 touchdowns as a running back … Ohio Cardinal Conference Defensive Player of the Year … as a sophomore in 2016 for head coach Taylor Gerhardt, Stover made 190 tackles (14.6 per game) as Lexington made the regional finals … during his junior season in 2017, Stover was a first team All-Ohio pick as a hybrid linebacker/safety … a great all-around athlete, Stover earned second team All-Ohio honors on the basketball court as a junior in leading Lexington to the OHSAA Final Four in Columbus … has set the school’s all-time scoring record in basketball … parents are Chelsi and Trevor Stover.
Jameson Williams | WR | 6-2, 170 | St. Louis, Mo. / Cardinal Ritter College Prep
Rated as a four-star prospect and a Top 150 player overall by 247Sports.com’s composite rankings … the No. 2-rated prospect in Missouri by 247Sports and No. 3 by Rivals … helped Cardinal Ritter College Prep reach the Class 3 state championship game this past fall … caught 68 passes for 1,626 yards and 22 touchdowns … had eight 100-yard games, including a 257-yard effort with five TDs … scored at least one touchdown in 11 of 14 games … selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 3 in Orlando … caught 36 passes for 1,062 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior while also returning three kicks for TDs … a track star who holds the state record in the 300-meter hurdles, a mark previously set by former Buckeye great Ezekiel Elliott … won two state track and field titles last spring … parents are Tianna and James Williams.
Garrett Wilson | WR | 6-1, 180 | Austin, Texas / Lake Travis
A five-star prospect according to 247Sports.com and a top-15 ranked recruit – regardless of position – nationally … participated in Nike’s The Opening last June and was named to the All-Tournament team … played for head coach Hank Carter at Lake Travis High School … despite missing action in the middle of his senior season due to injury, had 1,151 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns … with Wilson and current Ohio State quarterback Matthew Baldwin teaming up, Lake Travis went 13-3 in 2017 and played in its third consecutive Class 6A Division I state final … Wilson’s junior year stats were off the charts: 98 catches for 1,774 yards while accounting for 32 total touchdowns … selected as the 2017-18 Central Texas High School Athlete of the Year by The Statesman … Texas’ No. 1-ranked recruit on the The Stateman’s Fabulous 55 list … a three-sport athlete at Lake Travis who earned Division I scholarship offers as a basketball player … averaged 21 points per game for the Cavaliers to earn first team All-Central Texas honors … a finalist for the All-American Bowl Man of the Year Award … is the son of Kenny and Candace Wilson … Kenny played basketball at Davidson, scoring 1,573 career points to rank seventh on the school’s all-time list.
Craig Young | ATH | 6-4, 200 | Fort Wayne, Ind. / Wayne
Consensus three-star prospect … a standout on both sides of the ball for Wayne High School and head coach Derrick Moore … ranked as the No. 9 player in the state of Indiana … caught 35 passes for 700 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior season … as a junior, he had over 600 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns while also contributing 27 tackles, three interceptions and 1.5 sacks on defense as an outside linebacker … two-time member of the WANE-TV Fab 15 … a three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and runs track … averaged 17.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as a junior on the basketball court … won the sectional 100-meter (10.7 seconds) and 200-meter (22.43) sprints during his junior season … parents are Antoinette and Shabaka Young.