Four-Star QB Air Noland Commits to Ohio State

Peach State lefty and state champion picks OSU over Bama, Clemson, Others

Buckeyes Now Staff | Apr 9, 2023

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Ohio State's latest search for a blue-chip quarterback recruit has come to a close.

Class of 2024 Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes High School star Prentiss 'Air' Noland, the No. 4 quarterback in the nation per On3, announced his decision to commit to Ryan Day and Ohio State University football on Saturday evening. The pick went public via 247Sports.

The Buckeyes win out for the blue-chip passer over nearly three-dozen programs, including finalists Alabama, Clemson, Miami, Texas A&M, Arkansas and Oregon, having offered the rising senior a scholarship at some point. OSU was of course the final program to push an offer his way, doing so in person while Noland made his first recruiting visit to Columbus.

“It speaks for itself," Noland told On3. "They get Heisman Trophy finalists almost every year. From a quarterback standpoint, they treat their quarterbacks like he’s in the NFL and they develop them like he’s in the NFL. I think the quarterback room at Ohio State has top-tier competition.

"The guys there are really dialed into Ohio State football and they love getting coached and developed.”

The prioritization of Noland by Day, Corey Dennis, and the rest of the OSU staff helped to seal the deal when Noland was on campus last weekend. The turnaround from losing out on one elite QB recruit in Dylan Raiola, who de-committed in December, to landing one of the nation's best just four months later reemphasizes OSU's prowess on the trail and at the position.

Air Noland Ohio State — 'Air' Noland while on campus at Ohio State University / IG: airnoland_

During the 2023 cycle, it went through a similar path, losing out on one quarterback pledge (Brock Glenn) before pivoting to another (Lincoln Kienholz). Neither of the aforementioned prep passers were as productive as Nolan in 2022, however.

As the lefty worked through his junior season, leading LHHS to an undefeated Class 6A Georgia state championship, he put up incredible numbers along the way in working targets like Ohio State freshman tight end Jelani Thurman. The official numbers, per MaxPreps, were 236 of 323 passing (73% completions) for 4,095 yards and 55 touchdowns against just four interceptions. Noland also kept defenses honest with his legs for five more scores.

Ohio State has been red hot on the football recruiting trail even before landing its potential future QB1 on Saturday. With a heavy slate of top recruits expected on campus during the spring game festivities next weekend, it may still be the middle of the OSU recruiting run.

Noland becomes the ninth verbal commitment for OSU in the rising-senior recruiting class and the fifth in the last calendar month. He is the third straight offensive skill prospect to make a commitment, following running back James Peoples and wide receiver Mylan Graham.