Ohio State makes cut for top edge rusher, gets prediction for in-state defensive tackle

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Buckeyes make the short list for 2028 edge rusher George Parkinson IV

Looking at Ohio State’s current 2027 recruiting class, the conversation has to start along the defensive line.

Larry Johnson has done an elite job putting together a loaded group that has a chance to finish among the best in the country, provided each member stays locked in through signing day. The trenches remain a priority in every cycle, and for good reason. More often than not, games are won and lost up front, so seeing Ohio State make a significant investment on both sides of the line should come as no surprise.

There is still work to be done in the 2027 class, but the focus on 2028 is not far behind. The Buckeyes already have one in-state defensive lineman committed in Jameer Whyce, though the staff will obviously be looking to add much more around him.

Fortunately for Ohio State, the early groundwork is already paying off with several top targets. That was further reinforced Thursday when one of the nation’s best edge rushers trimmed his recruitment to six schools and kept the Buckeyes firmly in the mix.

George Parkinson IV, the No. 111 player nationally and the 14th-best edge rusher in the 2028 class according to the 247Sports Composite, is a 6-foot-4, 235-pound prospect out of Pennsylvania with an impressive offer list this early in the process.

In his latest update, Parkinson narrowed his options to LSU, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Ohio State.

That group includes several of the premier programs in college football, meaning the Buckeyes will have a battle on their hands if they hope to pull Parkinson away from the other contenders. Still, considering what Johnson and the rest of Ohio State’s staff have accomplished lately, there is no reason to believe the Buckeyes cannot ultimately win out.

Continuing to establish Ohio State as a legitimate option for the best defensive linemen in the country is exactly where this staff wants to be. Seeing the Buckeyes included on another top-schools list is hardly surprising, and Parkinson likely will not be the last major 2028 target to keep Ohio State firmly in the picture.

Crystal ball continues to be kind to Ohio State with Thomas Minor prediction

The RPM and Crystal Ball features have been a major topic of discussion this week, as Ohio State has seen multiple predictions come in for several of its top targets in both the 2027 and 2028 classes.

While these projections are far from guarantees, they do offer a useful glimpse into where things may be trending. For the Buckeyes, the recent momentum suggests they could add to their current class in the near future while also feeling increasingly confident about the foundation being built for 2028.

It is still relatively early to put too much stock into recruitments that remain more than a year from being finalized, but the amount of early momentum surrounding Ohio State is another indication of how special the 2028 class could eventually become.

One prospect firmly in that conversation is in-state defensive tackle Thomas Minor.

Ohio State appears to be in an excellent position with Minor, and the latest Rivals RPM prediction from Allen Trieu this week only further supports that belief. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive tackle from nearby Big Walnut is ranked as the No. 405 player nationally and the 38th best at his position according to the 247Sports Composite.

Minor already holds offers from Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and several others, giving him no shortage of strong options. Still, having a prospect of his caliber located in Ohio’s backyard gives the Buckeyes another significant advantage as his recruitment continues.

Big Walnut is the same program that produced Garrett Stover and is now home to top prospect Jamier Brown, giving Ohio State the early stages of a small but potentially valuable in-state pipeline. Minor could very well become the next player from the program to make his way to Columbus before too much more time passes.

The Buckeyes already have one in-state defensive lineman committed in Jameer Whyce, and they would love to keep Minor home as well. With multiple Ohio prospects potentially factoring into the defensive line haul, the foundation for another strong group up front is already beginning to take shape.

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Not necessarily a new name on Ohio State’s recruiting radar, Michigan native Camden Noe appears to be drawing increased interest from the Buckeyes.

A standout at Portage Central, Noe is a two-way player for his high school program and has the type of size and athleticism that should continue attracting attention. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound prospect is ranked as the No. 116 player nationally and the seventh best in the 2028 class according to the 247Sports Composite.

Noe already holds offers from Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and several others, giving him a strong list of options early in the process. Ohio State has yet to officially join that group, but that could very well change in the coming months as the staff continues evaluating him.

The Buckeyes are not the only program showing growing interest, either, as more schools from the South are beginning to take notice. With his recruitment continuing to expand, Noe is a name worth monitoring as Ohio State works through its board in the 2028 class.

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