2014 Ohio State Football Signing Class
This Ohio State football signing class was considered to be one of the best in the nation. The class featured one five-star signee in linebacker Raekwon McMillan, 15 four-star signees and seven three-star signees. There were no members of this class with fewer than three stars.
The class ranked third overall nationally and first in the Big Ten at the time of its signing in February 2014.
All rankings on this page are 24/7 composite rankings.
Raekwon McMillan
Inside Linebacker
Liberty County HS
Hinesville, Ga.
6-2, 242
About Raekwon McMillan
Raekwon McMillan is ranked a five-star prospect and is the highest ranked player in this recruiting class. He is ranked the best ILB prospect in the nation and the 22nd-best prospect overall at any position. He is the second-best prospect in Georgia. A four-year starter for coach Kirk Warner at Liberty County H.S., McMillan accumulated 456 tackles and 10 forced fumbles during his career. As a senior he totalled 159 tackles, 35.5 tackles-for-loss and 8.5 sacks for his 8-3 squad, and he also rushed for nearly 700 yards on offense. McMillan’s recruitment came down to a three-way contest with OSU, Alabama and Clemson. McMillan decided on the Buckeyes in December of 2013 and enrolled at Ohio State in January of 2014 ahead of signing day. He was recruited by almost every other school in the nation including Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Miami (Florida), Stanford, USC, Washington, UCLA, Wisconsin, Tennessee and many others.
Raekwon McMillan Video
Damon Webb
Cornerback
Cass Tech
Detroit, Mi.
5-11, 180
About Damon Webb
Damon Webb is a consensus four-star signee and the fifth-highest ranked cornerback in the nation. He is ranked the 35th-best player at any position. Webb is rated the second-best prospect at any position in the state of Michigan. As a senior he had seven interceptions, 10 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and 42 tackles. He also had two punt return touchdowns and seven receiving TDs. He was a two-way player in high school but will focus on defense in college. Webb was recruited by numerous schools including Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, Indiana, LSU, Mississippi State, Toledo, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Florida State, Iowa, Notre Dame, Pitt, Purdue and many others.
Damon Webb Video
Marshon Lattimore
Cornerback
Glenville HS
Cleveland, Ohio.
6-0, 195
About Marshon Lattimore
Marshon Lattimore is a four-star recruit who is ranked the sixth-best cornerback prospect in the nation and 52nd-best prospect overall. He is rated the best prospect in the state of Ohio. Lattimore starred in the defensive backfield and as a receiver on a Glenville team that went 13-2 in 2013 and advanced to the Division II state championship game. He had 40 receptions for 911 yards and 16 TDs as a senior and also had three special teams touchdowns. He scored four touchdowns in a state semifinal win over Highland and was named Division II’s Ohio defensive player of the year as senior. Some scouts think that Lattimore’s future is on offense, but he will start his college career in the defensive backfield at Ohio State. Lattimore was recruited by many of the powerhouse programs of college football. They included Alabama, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Toledo, USC, West Virginia, UCLA, Pitt, Rutgers and others.
Marshon Lattimore Video
Dante Booker
Outside Linebacker
St. Vincent – St. Mary
Akron, Oh.
6-3, 233
About Dante Booker
Dante Booker is a four-star prospect who is rated the fourth-best outside linebacker prospect in the nation and that 54th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the second-best prospect in the state of Ohio. Booker is first defensive player to win Ohio Mr. Football since Andy Katzenmoyer in 1995. Booker totaled 126 tackles as a senior and lead St. Vincent-St. Mary to back-to-back state championships, including a perfect, 15-0 record in 2013 and a 13-2 mark in 2012. He also had 24 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks and two interceptions as a senior. He had 90 tackles and 14 TFLs as a junior and 157 tackles and 11 sacks as a sophomore. He is big, fast, and very athletic and should be an impact player at Ohio State. Booker was recruited by Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Illinois, Louisville, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Auburn, Wisconsin and many others.
Dante Booker Video
Jamarco Jones
Offensive Tackle
De La Salle Institute
Chicago, Il.
6-5, 290
About Jamarco Jones
Jamarco Jones is a four-star prospect that is rated the 4th-best offensive tackle and 58th-best player overall in the country. He is ranked the third-best prospect in the state of Illinois. Despite missing first half of his senior season with a shoulder injury, Jones earned Illinois Coaches Association first-team Class 6A all-state honors and Champaign News-Gazette all-state accolades. He helped De La Salle, to the second round of the Illinois Class 6A state playoffs and was a 2014 Under Armour All-American Game participant. Michigan State made a strong bid for Jones’ services but in the end he chose the Buckeyes. He was also recruited by Arizona State, Arkansas, Cal, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas Tech, Toledo, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wisconsin, Alabama, Oregon and others.
Jamarco Jones Video
Curtis Samuel
Athlete
Erasmus Hall HS
Brooklyn, NY.
6-0, 185
About Curtis Samuel
Curtis Samuel is a four-star prospect who is ranked the number-eight athlete in the nation and 59th-best prospect overall. He is rated the top prospect from the state of New York. In his senior season Samuel rushed for 1,461 yards, averaged 15.8 yards per rush and scored 17 touchdowns . Samuel averaged 11.5 yards per carry as a junior while rushing for 1,047 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also had three receiving touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns as a junior. He is a do-everything athlete that could be looked at as a running back or wide receiver but seems like the prototype athlete for the hybrid H-back position. Samuel was one of six freshmen to enroll early. He was recruited by Alabama, Boston College, Clemson, UConn, Florida, Miami (Florida), Nebraska, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Tennessee, USC, Virginia, Maryland and Virginia Tech.
Curtis Samuel Video
Erick Smith
Safety
Glenville HS
Cleveland, Oh.
6-1, 185
About Erick Smith
Erick Smith is a four-star recruit who is rated the sixth-best safety prospect in the nation and that 66th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the third-best prospect overall in the state of Ohio. He was one of the leaders of a 2013 Glenville Tarblooder team that went 13-2 and advanced to the Division II state championship game. He had 10 tackles and forced a fumble in the state title game and had a “pick six” in the state semifinals. Smith was recruited by Alabama, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State and West Virginia.
Erick Smith Video
Johnnie Dixon
Wide Receiver
Dwyer HS
Palm Beach
Gardens, Fl.
5-11, 194
About Johnnie Dixon
Johnnie Dixon is a four-star prospect who is rated the ninth-best wide receiver prospect nationally and the 76th-best prospect overall. He is rated the 13th-best prospect in Florida. Dixon played his best football in the Florida state playoffs with 17 receptions for 366 yards and six touchdowns in Dwyer’s five-game run to the state title. He had five catches for 55 yards and one score in the 55-39 championship game win over Niceville. Dixon had 33 receptions for 610 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. Dixon was a hot commodity in the recruiting wars with in-state Miami (Florida) making a strong bid for him but the Buckeyes eventually were Dixon’s choice. He was recruited by many others such as Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina State, Auburn, Bowling Green, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Louisville, Marshall, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, Purdue, Tennessee, South Florida, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Washington State, West Virginia, Minnesota and others.
Johnnie Dixon Video
Jalyn Holmes
Defensive End
Lake Taylor HS
Norfolk, Va.
6-5, 225
About Jalyn Holmes
Jalyn Holmes is a four-star prospect who is rated the fourth-best weak side defensive end in the country and 80th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the fourth-best prospect overall in the state of Virginia. As a senior had 48 tackles, 19 TFLs and 10 sacks. As a junior in 2012 helped Lake Taylor win its first Virginia 4A state championship – capping a 15-0 season – with 79 tackles, including 40 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. It came down to Ohio State and Florida State in his recruitment with the Buckeyes finally getting his commitment. He was also recruited by Alabama, Clemson, East Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Maryland, Miami (Florida), North Carolina State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Old Dominion, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Penn State, Tennessee, USC, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Rutgers.
Jayln Holmes Video
Demetrius Knox
Offensive Lineman
All Saints Episcopal
Fort Worth, Tx.
6-4, 294
About Demetrius Knox
Demetrius Knox is a four-star prospect who is rated the fifth-best guard prospect in the nation and the 97th-best prospect overall. He is ranked that 15th-best prospect in the state of Texas. Knox helped All Saints Episcopal to consecutive 11-0 seasons and Southwest Preparatory School championships He was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bow. Knox was born in Ohio in the Dayton area. His recruitment came down to OSU, UCLA and TCU with the Buckeyes winning his pledge. He was also recruited by Texas, Alabama, Baylor, Florida State, Florida, Louisville, LSU, Miami (Florida), Michigan, LSU, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC and Washington.
Demetrius Knox Video
Parris Campbell
Athlete
St. Vincent – St. Mary
Akron, Oh.
6-0, 184
About Parris Campbell
Parris Campbell is a four-star prospect that is rated the 22nd-best wide receiver prospect in the nation and the 139th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the fourth-best prospect in the state of Ohio. Campbell played running back in high school and in 2013 rushed for 1,584 yards and 22 touchdowns helping lead St. Vincent-St. Mary to a repeat state championship with a 15-0 record. SVSM was 2012 state champion with a 13-2 record when Campbell rushed for 1,353 yards and scored 28 touchdowns, including a long touchdown of 94 yards. Campbell has blazing speed as witnessed by his exploits as a sprinter in track. His senior year he set personal bests of 10.77 in the 100 and 22.09 in the 200 (meters) during the 2013 outdoor season. He broke the Ohio state record in the 60-meter dash at the 2014 indoor state championships (6.85). He is just 17 years old and his best days athletically are still in front of him. He chose Ohio State over offers from Michigan State, Penn State, Northwestern and Tennessee.
Parris Campbell Video
Kyle Berger
Outside Linebacker
St. Ignatius HS
Cleveland, Oh.
6-3, 215
About Kyle Berger
Kyle Berger is a four-star prospect who is ranked the 10th-best outside linebacker in the nation and the 157th-best prospect overall. He is rated the fifth-best prospect in Ohio. Berger missed competing in athletics during his senior season of 2013-14 for St. Ignatius – he was also a starter on the basketball court – after injuring a knee in a preseason football scrimmage in August. He was a consensus four star prospect heading into his senior season after a junior season in which he had 105 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks among his 44 tackles-for-loss. There is no question about his talent but questions remain about his injured knee. Still, he has enough talent that the Buckeye coaching staff felt good about taking a chance on him. He was also recruited by Arkansas, Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Tennessee, Penn State, UCLA, West Virginia, Iowa and Standford.
Kyle Berger Video
Sam Hubbard
Athlete
Moeller HS
Cincinnati, Oh.
6-6, 225
About Sam Hubbard
Sam Hubbard is a four-star prospect rated the number 13th athlete nationally and the 181st-bst prospect overall. He is ranked the seventh-best prospect in Ohio. Hubbard led Archbishop Moeller to consecutive Division I state championships as a junior and senior. He recorded 109 tackles and five interceptions as a senior, including a 10-tackle performance against Mentor in the 2013 state title game to cap a 14-1 season. He also had a fumble recovery, interception and blocked extra point vs. Mentor. All five of his 2013 interceptions came in the state playoffs, including two vs. St. Xavier. Hubbard had 75 tackles and two interceptions for Moeller’s 2012 state champion team that finished 12-3. He is an outstanding lacrosse player, as well and considered playing college lacrosse at Notre Dame before choosing to be a Buckeye. Hubbard has a big frame that could fill out as he matures. He comes to OSU as a safety but could end up a linebacker or even a defensive end if he continues to get bigger. Hubbard chose Ohio State over offers from Boston College, Louisville, Illinois, Miami (Florida), Miami of Ohio, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio University, Stanford and Notre Dame.
Sam Hubbard Video
Noah Brown
Wide Receiver
Pope John XXIII HS
Sparta, N.J.
6-2, 212
About Noah Brown
Noah Brown is a four-star prospect who is rated the 15th-best athlete in the nation and the 196th-best player overall. He is ranked the fifth-best prospect in the state of New Jersey. Brown had 41 receptions for 857 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2013 and 41 catches for 630 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. He scored 45 touchdowns in 2012 and 2013 combined with four of them kickoff returns. Brown has the size to play tight end and the ball skills to be a receiver. He will most likely be tried at wide receiver at Ohio State unless he grows out of the position. Brown was recruited by Boston College, Michigan State, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, South Carolina, Temple, Syracuse, USC, South Florida, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Wisconsin, Maryland, West Virginia and others.
Noah Brown Video
Terry McLaurin
Wide Receiver
Cathedral HS
Indianapolis, In.
6-0, 190
About Terry McLaurin
Terry McLaurin is a four-star prospect ranked the 34th-best wide receiver prospect in the nation and the 241st-best prospect overall. He is rated that third-best prospect in Indiana. In his senior season McLaurin had 58 receptions for 953 yards and eight touchdowns and another 744 yards rushing and six more scores. He recorded 820 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns as a junior. As a special teams player he returned two kickoffs for TDs as a senior and two punts for TDs as a junior. McLaurin chose Ohio State over Louisville, Boston College, Indiana, Iowa, Cincinnati, Misouri, Purdue, Toledo, Western Kentucky, Western Michigan, Akron, Bowling Green, Illinois, Kentucky, Ball State, Maryland, Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern and Tennessee.
Terry McLaurin Video
Kyle Trout
Offensive Line
Lancaster HS
Lancaster, Oh.
6-6, 300
About Kyle Trout
Kyle Trout is a four-star prospect who is rated that 19th-best offensive tackle prospect in the nation and that 256th-best overall. He is ranked as the 11th-best prospect in Ohio. Trout has the size to be a Division I lineman and also the athletic ability. Beside football he played three seasons of basketball and also competed in track and field in high school. He was seventh in the shot and eighth in the discus in the 2013 Ohio state outdoor track and field championships. Trout was recruited by Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio U, Pitt, Purdue, Toledo, West Virginia, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, Stanford, Texas, UCLA and Wisconsin.
Kyle Trout Video
Malik Hooker
Athlete
New Castle HS
New Castle, Pa.
6-2, 185
About Malik Hooker
Malik Hooker is a three-star prospect who is rated the 32nd-best athlete and 348th-best prospect at any position. He is ranked the eighth-best prospect in Pennsylvania. Hooker was basketball standout in high school and did not take up football until the 2012 season. He played just two seasons off football at safety but played well enough to catch the eye of Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell who is responsible for bringing Hooker into this class. He is a dynamic athlete who will probably benefit from a redshirt year as he learns the game. Hooker had interest from Arizona, Michigan, Navy, Penn State, Pitt, Temple, West Virginia, Youngstown State, Akron, Boston College, Stanford and Michigan State.
Malik Hooker Video
Marcelys Jones
Offensive Line
Glenville HS
Cleveland, Oh.
6-5, 325
About Marcelys Jones
Marcelys Jones is a three-star recruit who is ranked the 21st-best offensive guard in the nation and 388th-best prospect overall. He is rated the 22nd-best prospect in Ohio. Jones enrolled in classes in January 2014. He was the first in the Class of 2014 to commit to Ohio State, doing so on Dec. 25, 2012. He is one of three players in this class from Glenville high school. Jones was recruited by Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas State, Maryland, Michigan State, UCLA, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Marcelys Jones Video
Dylan Thompson
Defensive End
Montini Catholic
Lombard, Ill.
6-5, 270
About Dylan Thompson
Dylan Thompson is a three-star prospect who is ranked the 21st-best strong side defensive end in the nation and the 464th-best prospect overall. He is rated that 18th-best prospect in Illinois. Thompson played on Montini Catholic state championship football teams as a freshman, sophomore and junior and on a runner-up, 13-1 team as senior. He tied the school record with 17 quarterback sacks as a senior and also contributed 60 tackles and a total of 35 tackles-for-loss. Thompson was recruited by Arkansas, Clemson, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Purdue, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Cal, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M. UCLA and Wisconsin.
Dylan Thompson Video
Brady Taylor
Offensive Line
Bishop Ready HS
Columbus, Oh.
6-5, 276
About Brady Taylor
Brady Taylor is a three-star prospect who is ranked the 56th-best offensive prospect in the nation and the 579th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the 32nd-best prospect in Ohio. He has wanted to be a Buckeye since he was in eighth grade, and in January 2014 his offer from the Ohio State coaches made this dream a reality. He played offensive tackle in high school but is likely to play guard or even center while at Ohio State. He was recruited by Louisville, Boston College, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Pitt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Western Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Ohio U.
Brady Taylor Video
Stephen Collier
Quarterback
Lee County HS
Leesburg, Ga.
6-4, 208
About Stephen Collier
Stephen Collier is a three-star prospect who is ranked that 17th-best dual threat quarterback in the nation and the 627th-best prospect overall. He is rated the 53rd-best prospect in the state of Georgia. He passed for more than 4,000 yards, rushed for 1,500 yards and had 78 touchdowns (passing and rushing) at Lee County High School. He accounted for a Lee County school-record 44 touchdowns in 2013 to lead his team to a 10-2 record. Collier had some of the best passing numbers in the state as a senior with 2,291 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,021 yards and another 20 touchdowns. Collier was recruited by Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia State, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, Middle Tennessee State, Toledo, Troy, Wake Forest, Western Kentucky, Duke, Florida State and Georgia Tech.
Stephen Collier Video
Darius Slade
Defensive end
Montclair HS
Montclair, N.J.
6-5, 240
About Darius Slade
Darius Slade is a three-star prospect who is rated the 40th-best strong side defensive end prospect in the nation and the 871st-best prospect overall. He is ranked the 24th-best prospect in New Jersey. Slade recorded 37 quarterback sacks for 126 yards in losses as a junior and senior and helped Montclair High School to consecutive 12-0 seasons and back-to-back New Jersey Group 5 state championships. Slade had 67 tackles, including 23.5 sacks (and 35 total tackles for loss) as a senior. He had 13.5 sacks and 46 tackles as a junior. Slade was once a heavy Nebraska lean but on signing day announced for the Buckeyes. He was recruited by Nebraska, Michigan State, Rutgers, Penn State, West Virginia, Boston College, UConn, UMass, Miami (Florida), Pitt and Temple.
Darius Slade Video
Sean
Nuernberger
Kicker
Oldham County HS
Buckner, Ky.
6-1, 220
About Sean Nuernberger
Sean Nuernberger is a three-star prospect rated the sixth-best kicker in the nation and 1,192nd-best prospect overall. He is ranked the sixth-best best prospect in Kentucky. He committed to the Buckeyes after spending three days at the Ohio State kicking camp and receiving an offer during the summer of 2013. Nuernberger connected on 13 of 20 field goal tries, 21 of 23 extra points and he averaged 42.3 yards per punts as a senior. Five of his “missed” field goals were the result of blocked kicks. He connected on an Oldham County school-record 57-yard field goal. He made seven of 12 field goals with a long of 46 yards and 29 of 32 extra points as a junior.
Sean Nuernberger Video
