Is Ohio State 3-Star U? A Look at The Context

The Ohio State Buckeyes have consistently brought in top-notch recruiting classes, but their overwhelming ability to develop three-star prospects is noteworthy.

From 2009-19, the Ohio State Buckeyes had only one recruiting class outside the top 10 with seven top-five cycles headlined by back-to-back No. 2 rankings in 2017-18.

Why do those year parameters matter, though? Because high school class of 2019 recruits were classified as seniors during the 2022 season, and, while some will be using there extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted due to COVID-19, others elected to declare for the NFL Draft.

The Athletic did an analysis of the best and worst schools at getting three-, four- and five-star recruits drafted to the NFL. Ohio State took home "Three-Star U" honors, developing 20.6 percent of its 68 three-star recruits signed in that period into NFL draft picks — the highest percentage out of programs that signed at least five five-star and 20 four-star prospects from 2009-19.

While the data suggests Ohio State is the best at taking a three-star prospect and turning him into an NFL contributor, The Athletic made sure the context of the findings isn't lost in translation.

"Yes, Ohio State has the highest percentage of three-star development, but not all three-star prospects are equal," The Athletic wrote. "For instance, in the 2023 class, there were 1,817 three-stars. Ohio State and other programs high on this list were more often taking prospects rated somewhere in the top 600 rather than outside of the top 1,000. A three-star prospect who rates as the No. 450 overall player in a class is nothing like one who rates No. 1,500, even if they are both technically three-star prospects."

The Buckeyes have turned 15 of their 23 five-star signees into NFL draft picks, ranking eighth at 65.2 percent. They have developed 32.9 percent of their 149 four-star signees into selections on draft day, which was best in the Big Ten and fourth overall behind Baylor, Miami and LSU, respectively.

The 14 three-stars that have been developed and drafted by Ohio State are linebackers Darron Lee, Malik Harrison and Jonathan Newsome, receivers Chris Olave and Michael Thomas, cornerbacks Bradley Roby and Damon Arnette, tackles Dawand Jones and Reid Fragel, safety Malik Hooker, guard Pat Elflein, tight end Jeff Heuerman, defensive lineman DaVon Hamilton and quarterback Cardale Jones.

Olave (No. 11), Hooker (No. 15), Arnette (No. 19), Lee (No. 20) and Roby (No. 31) were all first-round selections.

Since the 2020 cycle, notable three-star signees are running back Miyan Williams, defensive lineman Ty Hamilton, offensive lineman Josh Fryar and punter Jesse Mirco. The lone three-star incoming freshman from the 2023 recruiting class is offensive tackle Miles Walker, while the Buckeyes have garnered three-star pledges from interior offensive lineman Marc Nave and running back Sam Williams-Dixon.

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