Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class is no longer just a list of signees. It’s becoming a real part of the program’s story this season.
The headline number isn’t perfect, but it’s a lot better than it first looks. Ohio State signed 21 players in that class, and 11 have moved on.
That leaves 10 who are either starting or contributing, which works out to roughly 48% production. Add in three players now in the NFL, and the class starts to look a whole lot more substantial.
There were also two departures that need to be folded into the count. Offensive lineman Miles Walker left for Boise State and has since retired from college football.
Defensive back Jayden Bonsu departed for Pitt, switched to linebacker, and is hoping for his first game action with the Panthers in 2026. That pushes the total number of departures to 11, not 9.
At first glance, 11 exits out of 21 signees sounds rough. But, as former ESPN commentator Lee Corso was fond of saying on telecasts, "Not so fast, my friend.".
Ohio State’s class has more positive outcomes than that raw departure number suggests. Beyond the 10 starters and contributors, there are five more players who belong on the success side of the ledger. That brings the total to 15 of 26 when those players are included, a 58% hit rate.
The list also includes some notable pro outcomes: a 2026 5th round draft choice by the New Orleans Saints, a 2025 1st round draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs, and an undrafted free agent who signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2026.
There’s even a possibility that some of the players who have already moved on could come back into the mix because of the recent "5 for 5" rule, which could give them another year in Columbus. The most likely candidates to take advantage of that would appear to be Will Smith, Jr. and Jason Moore, since neither has become a starter for Ohio State yet.
With Ohio State heading toward a 2026 schedule that Ryan Day has called a "monster", the remaining players from the 2023 class still have a chance to add more to what has already been an important group for the Buckeyes. Ryan Day, his staff, and Ohio State general manager Mark Pantoni have already gotten strong value from the class. Now there’s room for even more.
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