Dylan Thompson Commits To Ohio State

Dylan Thompson, a highly-ranked strong-side defensive end, has committed to the Ohio State Football program for 2014. Thompson has been a high school standout, thanks to his size. He stands 6'5" and weighs 270 pounds. He recently graduated from Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, Illinois. Thompson was courted by a long list of schools, including SEC teams from Arkansas and Tennessee. Others who were in the market for Thompson ranged from Clemson to Iowa to Indiana.

Thompson is quick for his size, with plenty of straight line speed and excellent closing rates. He is also known as a high intensity player. His high school coaches commend him for always giving the game everything he has, and for working hard to improve and maintain his strength. There is a chance Ohio State will move him to tackle full time to take better advantage of his size and to give him more playing time, depending on his success at the collegiate level.

Thompson's rankings have varied based on the publication. The 247Sports Composite Rankings list him as the 437th best player in the nation, and the 19th ranked strong-side defensive end. They ranked him as the 13th best player in the state of Illinois, with a 4-star ranking. He was unranked by Rivals and ESPN's Recruiting Nation, but Scout.com gave him three stars.

Thompson's commitment was huge for the Buckeyes and Coach Urban Meyer. He is a well-respected member of Core 6, and may lead others from Chicago the training facility toward Ohio State. His own potential also can't be overlooked, although Ohio State's 2013 class of defensive ends may keep him from scoring deserved playing time.

With his commitment, Thompson became the fifth member of Ohio State's 2014 recruiting class. He follows defensive back Damon Webb from Michigan, running back Parris Campbell and two offensive tackles in Kyle Trout and Marcelys Jones.