Ohio State earned its second commitment on National Signing Day and its 26th member of the 2018 recruiting class with linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste.
The four-star from Oradell, New Jersey, gives the Buckeyes their fourth linebacker in the class along with Dallas Gant, Teradja Mitchell and K’Vaughan Pope.
Jean-Baptiste is currently ranked as the No. 219 overall recruit in the 2018 class, according to 247Sports composite. He is also the 16th-best linebacker and sixth-best recruit in the state.
Ohio State only has one other current player on its roster from New Jersey, although that area has been a hotbed for recruits since Urban Meyer became head coach for the 2012 season.
Jean-Baptiste was primarily recruited by safeties coach and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, who told Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports that he will return to the Buckeyes in 2018 after being reportedly interested in the New England Patriots defensive coordinator job.
Ohio State currently ranks behind Georgia as the No. 2 overall recruiting class.
Correction: The original publication said Ohio State had the No. 1 overall 2018 recruiting class, where it in fact is ranked behind Georgia at No. 2.
