Ohio State Football Recruiting 2017: 5 must-have recruits for Buckeyes

Oct 29, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer talks with his team during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; The Ohio State Buckeyes football team takes the field prior to the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Thayer Munford, 4-star OT (Massillon, Ohio)

Ohio State’s offensive line wasn’t the same in 2016, failing to protect J.T. Barrett consistently as he was running for extra time more often than not. Adding more depth to the line will be imperative for the Buckeyes in coming seasons with top-tier quarterbacks coming in, and especially in 2018 with a first-year starter looking to gain confidence.

The Buckeyes have five-star offensive guard Wyatt Davis and four-star tackle Josh Myers committed thus far, but that’s not nearly enough if they’re going to bolster the trenches for years to come. That’s where four-star Ohio-native Thayer Munford comes in.

Munford is one of the top uncommitted offensive linemen in the country and he would bring in an aggressive presence up front and his 6-foot-6, 320-pound frame is ideal for the position. He also brings some athleticism to the position and he has all the tools of a potential first-round pick.

The Ohio State staff has worked hard on landing him over the past couple of weeks, trying to make sure they don’t miss out on one of their top remaining pieces for 2017. In fact, Urban Meyer and Kevin Wilson paid him a visit on Jan. 14 and then Wilson and Greg Studrawa stopped in to see him two days later. On Jan. 21, he took an official visit. The interest is mutual.

The four-star from Massillon is ranked the No. 222 overall prospect and No. 28 offensive tackle.

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