Jaden McKenzie commits to Ohio State

It was a good day for Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson as he reeled in his second target on Wednesday in Wake Forest (NC) defensive tackle prospect Jaden McKenzie. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound three-star lineman committed to the Buckeyes over North Carolina, Wake Forest, and others.

"I plan to continue my academic and athletic career at The Ohio State University," McKenzie said at the commitment ceremony held at his high school.

McKenzie, who kept a low profile throughout his recruiting process, made an official visit to Ohio State back in November. Even coming out of that visit, however, it looked like McKenzie was leaning toward staying closer to home.

But Johnson, along with Ryan Day, kept at it and things started to gradually turn around before making a sharp turn toward Columbus following an in-home visit in December. McKenzie is, to this point, the only defensive tackle in the 2019 class for Ohio State and joins Ohio defensive ends Noah Potter and Zach Harrison in the defensive line class for the Buckeyes.