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Jashon Cornell commits to Ohio State: Buckeyes get No. 3 ranked defensive end

By Patrick Schmidt

Oct 6, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Exterior view of Ohio Stadium prior to the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Ohio State Buckeyes. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Exterior view of Ohio Stadium prior to the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Ohio State Buckeyes. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ohio State continues its hot summer on the recruiting trail adding its ninth commitment since Memorial Day in four-star defensive end Jashon Cornell (St. Paul, Minn. Cretin-Durham) who committed at a Wednesday morning press conference from his high school.

Urban Meyer is just a great coach overall. The tradition at Ohio State is awesome.

Cornell is 6-4 and weighs 260 pounds and is the No. 37 player overall regardless of position, the No. 3 weakside defensive end and the top player in the state of Minnesota, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

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He was originally the No. 1 recruit in the 2015 class by ESPN and is a five-star recruit according to 247 Sports.

“They have Larry Johnson and Urban Meyer, who are two of the best coaches in the game right now,” Cornell tells Land-Grant Holy Land. “Larry Johnson sent seven first round draft picks to the NFL and multiple second round draft picks as well. My auntie lives 30 minutes from Columbus/Ohio State. Urban Meyer is just a great coach overall. The tradition at Ohio State is awesome.”

Cornell picked the Buckeyes over Notre Dame, Michigan State, Penn State and Iowa. The Fighting Irish and Spartans were believed to be the stiffest challengers as each were believed to be his unofficial leaders at one point early in his recruitment, which featured a couple of twists and turns as it often does.

It was not until a May 31 unofficial visit to Columbus that Ohio State made it’s move for the dominant defender and separated itself from the pack. The following day he had a standout performance at the Columbus NFTC (Nike Football Training Camps) to make up for a less-than-spectacular showing at the Chicago NFTC and from there his primary recruiters, Johnson and Chris Ash sealed the deal.

What makes Cornell a special recruit at defensive end is his ideal frame for the position that can stand to carry additional weight as he gets stronger without slowing him down or taking away from his agility. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him arrive at Columbus in the 270-275 pound range to better support the run.

Possessing a lightning-quick first step, Cornell can beat opposing tackles to get into the backfield for sacks and tackles for loss. Cornell converts speed to power well at this stage and can dip and his inside shoulder to get up the field, has nice closing speed and loves to finish plays with a nasty demeanor.

With most high school defensive linemen he needs to improve his hand placement and incorporate them into his arsenal of pass-rushing moves, but that will come in college under the watch of Johnson, long considered one of the best defensive line coaches in college. he has strong hands, he just needs to learn to be a better technician.

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    • When he stays low out of his stance Cornell’s legs are strong enough to anchor the run against high school linemen, but will continue to need to add strength in his lower half to be a complete end in the Big Ten. He has the skill-set and motor to be an early impact performer for Ohio State and will benefit from playing opposite Joey Bosa and possibly Noah Spence in 2015.

    Cornell recorded 70 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one touchdown last season. As a sophomore, Cornell recorded 52 tackles, 26 for loss, 14 sacks and three forced fumbles.

    Cornell has been selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game but Buckeye fans can get their first look at their latest commit at Nike’s The Opening in Beaverton, Oregon from July 7-10.

    Ohio State also landed a commitment from five-star outside linebacker Justin Hilliard (Cincinnati, Ohio. St. Xavier) on what was a huge Wednesday for Meyer. With today’s commitments by Cornell and Hilliard, Ohio State now boasts the nation’s No. 13 class and the No. 2 class in the Big Ten, trailing only the Penn State Nittany Lions.

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