National Signing Day: More than 20 local players committed to FBS schools

1. Three are going to Ohio State.

Lakota West safety Malik Hartford, Wayne offensive lineman Joshua Padilla and Lakota East offensive lineman Austin Siereveld are the three highest-rated local players in the 247Sports Composite rankings, and they are all going to be Buckeyes.

Hartford is ranked No. 4 with Padilla sixth and Siereveld seventh. They are all long-time commits.

2. Two are going to the SEC.

Springfield receiver Anthony Brown has been on the national radar for a long time, and he settled on Kentucky as his college destination after initially committing to Minnesota, where his brother (Mike Brown-Stephens) is a member of the team.

Miamisburg tight end Jackson McGohan was a long-time commit to Cincinnati, but he continued to pull in major offers during the summer. After coach Luke Fickell left the Bearcats to become head coach at Wisconsin, McGohan reopened his recruiting and ultimately settled on LSU.

3. Northwestern also has a pair of local verbals.

Nigel Glover of Northmont is a late riser. The defensive standout committed to Northwestern last spring but has continued to field interest from major programs.

Lakota West defensive back Joshua Fussell is also committed to Northwestern.

Coach Pat Fitzgerald has made a habit of recruiting the area, signing Jaiden Cameron of Northmont, Isaiah Bowser of Sidney and Charlie Kuhbander of Springboro since 2017.

4. In all, six area players are going to the Big Ten.

Fickell is taking one area player with him to Madison: Badin standout Braedyn Moore recently announced he is going to Wisconsin after being a long-time UC commit.

5. Cincinnati and Miami University only have a combined six commits from Ohio.

The Bearcats lots several members of their recruiting class after Fickell’s departure, but Wayne offensive lineman Evan Tengesdahl is sticking with his pledge and signing with new coach Scott Satterfield this week.

The Bearcats’ class enters signing day ranked sixth in the AAC and still includes Ironton teammates Trevor Carter and Ty Perkins and Kamari Burns committed.

Miami’s 19-man class is No. 2 in the MAC behind Central Michigan and includes players from nine states. The Ohioans are Pickerington Central defensive lineman Kobi Gorman and Barberton end/linebacker Roosevelt Andrews.

Here is a full list of local FBS commits (by 247Sports ranking):

Malik Hartford, Lakota West safety, Ohio State

Joshua Padilla, Wayne offensive lineman, Ohio State

Austin Siereveld, Lakota East offensive lineman, Ohio State

Nigel Glover, Northmont safety/linebacker, Northwestern

Ben Minich, Lakota West safety/receiver, Notre Dame

Braedyn Moore, Badin athlete, Wisconsin

Anthony Brown, Springfield receiver, Kentucky

Josiah Jackson, Fairfield defensive back, West Virginia

Jackson McGohan, Miamisburg tight end, LSU

Jordan Jackson, Fairfield running back, West Virginia

Evan Tengesdahl, Wayne offensive lineman, Cincinnati

Joshua Fussell, Lakota West defensive back, Northwestern

Christian Davis, Miamisburg running back, Ball State

Shawn Thigpen, Springfield receiver, Bowling Green

Joseph Jean-Luis, Centerville linebacker, Iowa State

Dalton Gustwiller, Fairmont defensive lineman, Western Michigan

Adrian Norton, Stebbins receiver, Akron

R.J. Mukes, Wayne receiver, Ball State

James Thomas, Fairfield tight end, Bowling Green

Javian Norman, Springfield linebacker, Eastern Michigan

Emable Wakilongo, Centerville running back, Bowling Green

Matthew Appel, Springboro offensive lineman, Navy

Jackson Kleather, Tippecanoe kicker, Bowling Green