Ohio State picked up the Midwest's second- and third-best prospects Wednesday with the additions of linebacker Justin Hilliard and defensive lineman Jashon Cornell. Below, Craig Haubert breaks down how much impact the pair of five-star prospects can make on the Buckeyes' defense:
What they bring: Two of the best front seven defenders in the 2015 class, both possess a very nice blend of size, strength and athleticism that can allow them to be playmakers at their respective positions.
Hilliard, the top-rated linebacker in the class, is an instinctive, physical and active defender. He displays the ability to quickly find and react to the ball. Well built with powerful upper body strength and active hands, he can take on and quickly get off blocks. The five-star prospect possess good range and can utilize good angles and be a factor sideline to sideline. He can be disruptive as a pass rusher with a quick first step, good lateral agility and active hands and can be extremely difficult to block one-on-one with a running back. Not the strongest part of his game, but he can still be very effective in coverage with good awareness and range. Hilliard can also be a physical tackler who can close quickly and deliver a big hit.
While Hilliard is a well-rounded linebacker, Cornell can be a disruptive and versatile defender up front. The five-star prospect displays explosive playing strength and a quick first step. Against the run, he can be physical and use his size and strength to hold ground, and while he needs to continue to improve hand usage, he can quickly stack and shed blockers. He is capable of being a dangerous pass rusher that can use his power to create problems off the edge or slide inside and utilize his quickness to gain favorable matchups. Cornell has good initial quickness and flashes ability to dip his inside shoulder and bend back inside coming off the edge. He needs to continue to develop, but flashes explosive burst to transfer speed to power and knock blockers on their heels.
How they fit: These two five-star defenders are talented prospects who can naturally fit very well and potentially begin to contribute quickly.
The Buckeyes signed several linebackers in their 2014 class. But with fourth-leading tackler Joshua Perry heading into his junior season and Mike Mitchell having transferred, there could still be a need for the well-rounded Hilliard to step in and play a role, which he demonstrated he can do. Simply a good, physical football player, he can not only be a strong special-teams player, he can immediately bolster their depth and compete for playing time. With some development and experience, Hilliard has the tools to grow into a three-down player and key contributor on that defense.
Cornell could arguably need a little more development, but he is still very capable of contributing as a freshman the way highly touted Ohio State defensive linemen Noah Spence, Adolphus Washington and Joey Bosa have done. Cornell still has room to add some more size, but he needs to watch how he does it and should benefit from working in the Buckeyes' weight program.
Depending on how he continues to physically develop, he could stay at defensive end or develop more into an interior player and can, at least early on, offer good versatility to the Buckeyes' front. With players like Spence and Bosa likely moving on before long, Cornell can be a key guy in replacing the production that will leave with them.
Whether its immediate or a little down the road, Ohio State landed two very talented players that, with focus and hard work, can be strong contributors and potentially even impact-type performers.
Reminds us of: Cornell very much fits the mold of some of those previously mentioned top D-line prospects that Urban Meyer has brought in at Ohio State. As far as a recent comparison, we see some similarities with Florida State's DeMarcus Walker, a member of the ESPN 300 in the 2013 class. Cornell is not quite as big and is a little sharper technically at this stage, but both bring a physical and disruptive presence to the trenches with the size, strength and quickness to offer good versatility to a D-line.
For Hilliard, this is a comparison that sets a bit of a high bar, but when it comes to the talented defender, it’s hard not think back to former Saint Xavier linebacker Luke Kuechly. Not saying they are the same player, but like Kuechly, who came before him, Hilliard is a physical, instinctive and well-rounded linebacker who is capable of having a very productive college career as well.
How the class is shaping up: The Buckeyes 2015 class got off to a slow start, but like the temperatures outside, it has begun to really heat up. Ohio State landed seven commitments in June, with four rated as four-star prospects. With that strong month, they entered the class rankings for the first time a week ago at No. 23 and after just one week, they have already jumped into the top 10 at No. 6. The Buckeyes got the July 4 weekend off to an early start with some big fireworks on the recruiting trail with the additions of the two five-star defenders.
With these most recent pickups, the Buckeyes now have four prospects rated among the ESPN 300, and with the addition of Hilliard, they have landed the top in-state prospect. Ohio State is currently one of only two teams with commitments from two five-star prospects. Texas A&M is the other.