A-Deck: Sleeper prospects that could end up in the Ohio State class of 2025

Welcome to “A-Deck” at Lettermen Row, where I’ll bring you inside scoop, what I’m hearing, tidbits, thoughts, and more on Ohio State recruiting and team coverage every week.

Last week’s A-Dec k provided five things that fans needed to watch when the Buckeyes kicked off pre-season camp last week.

In this week’s edition, I look at some “sleeper prospects” that could end up in the Ohio State 2025 recruiting class when it’s all said and done.

Sleeper prospects that could end up in Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class

Every year it seems there is a surprise or two come National Signing Day for Ohio State in their recruiting class. Whether that is a late-blooming national prospect, someone flying under the radar, a late flip, or an in-state player that has a tremendous senior season, the Buckeyes will leave no stone unturned to try and build the best class possible.

Here’s a look at some prospects that could fit the billing when it comes to “sleeper prospects” that end up in the Ohio State 2025 class.

WR PRESTON BOWMAN : Bowman already holds an offer, one he earned a day after pledging to Kentucky back in late June . While some just assume an automatic flip will happen here for the Columbus-native, Bowman hasn’t indicated that and his actions son far are positive for the Wildcats. That said, it’s been somewhat of a dream for the Pickerington North star to play in Ohio Stadium , and it would be shocking if he didn’t at least take a visit during the season. My total gut feeling is that Bowman does end up in this class, but I think it happens deep into the fall or closer to Signing Day, if that’s the case.

WR QUINTIN SIMMONS : Another Kentucky pledge, the Cincinnati-area prospect is a good player and has been on Ohio State’s radar for quite some time. There’s nothing I am aware of brewing at the moment, but I bet the Buckeyes will be watching Withrow film this fall to make sure they don’t want to kick the tires here, if nothing else.

WR QUINTON BROWN : A relatively unknown to Ohio State fans, Brown is a Boise State commit out of Fort Worth (TX) Liberty Christian. At 5-8/165 he’s a slot/speedster, and De’zie Jones fills that role for OSU right now, but Brown is someone that Brian Hartline has been communicating with a bit, and it’s at least worth noting in this report that the Buckeyes’ receiver coach will at least be watching the senior film.

WR JEROME MYLES : Ohio State joined this recruitment a couple weeks back, and the Buckeyes recently made the cut to 10 schools for the Draper (UT) Corner Canyon star. It’s probably too early to say where this will go, but it seems OSU is pretty high on Myles, and the goal would be to bring him in for an official visit on a game weekend this fall. Let’s see when that trip gets scheduled, but this is definitely a name to watch moving forward.

OL NOLAN DAVENPORT : Many, including myself, thought Davenport would end up earning an offer at camp in early June and would then pledge to the Buckeyes. After the workout, the offer never came, though, and Davenport quickly committed to Wisconsin. Could the staff decide to watch the first four games of film and offer the Massillon Washington product? Yes. Does that mean Davenport would commit to Ohio State? I’m not totally sure. My hunch would be yes, but Wisconsin is no slouch of a program and there could be a sense of loyalty that the Badgers were with the high-ceiling tackle from the jump. I’ll be watching how this one plays out, especially if OSU strikes out on both David Sanders Jr. and Josh Petty .

OL JERMIEL ATKINS : Another in-state offensive lineman, Atkins is from Trotwood-Madison and is currently pledged to Kentucky. At 6-8/270 the frame is impressive, but he needs the film to match. Ohio State will be watching closely, but this is a kid they can flip if they decide to go for it.

DE CEDRIC WORKS : Another Kentucky commit, Works is at Northmont in the Dayton area, which has been good to Ohio State in the past. Works does not yet have an OSU offer, but if he has strong film and checks the boxes both on and off the field, he’s definitely in the mix. Should Ohio State lose Zahir Mathis to Penn State or elsewhere, and Works is doing his part, I could see this as a possibility. The On3 Industry ranks Works as a 4-star and No. 147 overall .

DT DRAYDEN PAVEY : Out of Cincinnati (OH) Taft, Pavey is a 6-3/305 defensive tackle that’s currently committed to Purdue. He worked out at Ohio State this summer and LJ has liked him, but right now I am not sure there’s room at the inn. If things change on that front, and Pavey’s senior film is good, he will definitely get a look.

DL BRANDON CAESAR : I feel like I have to name the Cleveland Heights star here. He technically has an offer and at one point it seemed like a no-brainer he’d be a Buckeye. But then things went completely quiet between the two sides, and I would say West Virginia has maybe emerged as the team to beat here. I am not seeing Caesar as a Buckeye, but have to list him as he would technically be in the mix.

LB DANTE MCCLELLAN : A really good linebacker from Canton McKinley, McClellan had a good relationship with Jim Knowles and James Laurinaitis throughout the process. In another cycle he may have been a Buckeye, but when Ohio State is pulling Riley Pettijohn , TJ Alford , and Eli Lee , it’s tough sledding to find room. If something changes with one of those three, or OSU somehow finds room for another ‘backer, the Missouri commit is absolutely someone to watch.

DB JAIMIER SCOTT : As Ohio State searches for a third cornerback in this class, I’ve been told to watch Scott very closely. The Wisconsin commit out of Mt. Healthy in Cincinnati has been to OSU a number of times and spoken very highly of the Buckeyes to Lettermen Row in the past. At 6-0/185 he can play that slot role in the OSU defense, as well as outside corner, and can also play safety. The versatility is something Ohio State likes a lot and they will be looking at his senior film over the first few weeks. Scott is a 4-star ranked No. 322 overall per the On3 industry .

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