OSU gets commitment from 4-star DE Merritt

• Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Personnel WriterMar 29, 2024, 07:06 PM ET

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  • ESPN personnel author
  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Finished from Central Michigan

ESPN 300 defensive end London Merritt committed to Ohio State on Friday, offering the Buckeyes the No. 4 pass rush in the class.Merritt is a 6-foot-3, 245-pound prospect out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and had offers from Alabama, North Carolina, Auburn, Oregon, Texas A&M and USC, among others.He had actually been

planning to go to the Aggies and the Trojans, but announced his dedication to Ohio State prior to those journeys. He is the 8th dedication for Ohio State in the 2025 class and the sixth on the defensive side. The coaching personnel has actually made defense a priority, specifically in the secondary.Ohio State has commitments from three ESPN 300 cornerbacks. Na’eem Offord is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound corner from Birmingham, Alabama, and is ranked No. 6 overall in the class as a luxury. Devin Sanchez, out of Houston, isn’t far behind at No. 11 general and Blake Woodby from Baltimore is the No. 28 prospect.An impressive haul, Merritt joins fellow protective end Zahir Mathis from Philadelphia, who is ranked No. 50 general.