Signed: J.K. Dobbins

The Buckeyes may be hard pressed to ever put together another class like the one they have assembled out of the state of Texas for the class of 2017. The most shocking part of it is how little buzz that running back J.K. Dobbins, a four-star out of La Grange (Texas) has been getting.

When flanked by five-star defenders Jeffrey Okudah and Baron Browning, it is easy to see why eyes may go to the defensive tandem but Dobbins is a special athlete in his own right, even if he missed almost his entire senior season due to an ankle injury on the first play of the season opener.

The nation's No. 66 ranked player and No. 4 running back overall by Rivals.com did not let that deter him however and has been working hard on getting healthy and back to the level that he was at pre-injury. The new Ohio State signee, and early enrollee, rushed for 5,149 yards during his first three seasons and had a junior campaign that saw him rush for 2,740 yards and scored 35 touchdowns.

Dobbins is not a one-trick pony however at running back and the four-star back is capable of doing many things in his game.

"Explosiveness, speed, power… I can catch too," Dobbins said in a video produced by the Ohio State football program once he arrived on campus to enroll for the January semester.

Dobbins will need to quickly get up to speed in terms of blocking, something that is important for all Ohio State backs and former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott made it visible and cool to be a good blocking back during his time with the Buckeyes. Dobbins is aware that he is walking into a program that has turned out some great backs recently and is eager to get his chance to show what he can do.

"It is a cool position here. You have got a lot of legends here. Zeke (Elliott) set a high standard and I want to try and compete with that," Dobbins said. "It is an honor to be part of the group and I want to carry on the tradition. I just want to make it look like a Cadillac position."

The new Ohio State running back has been a part of the class for almost a full-year as he shocked many people by announcing for Ohio State in March of 2016. Dobbins committed to Ohio State before ever taking his first visit to Columbus (Ohio). He followed up his pledge with a visit in the following weeks and remained solid with the Buckeyes throughout.

There were a few moments where the Buckeyes were looking at maybe taking two backs in the class and that of course had people concerned that Dobbins might look elsewhere. When Ohio State started to fade with backs like Cam Akers however, it seemed more and more inevitable that Dobbins would be a Buckeye.

In-state Texas with former Ohio State assistant coach Tom Herman made a late push but it was all for naught, Dobbins knew where he wanted to go.

"This is the best coaching staff in the country, they will develop me well and get me ready for the next level if God has that for me in his plans." Dobbins said.

Now the 5-foot-10, 195-pounder can focus on spring ball with the Buckeyes and making bonds with the eight other members of his recruiting class who have opted to graduate early from high school and start their college careers a semester early.

"I think this place is magical," Dobbins said. "I think this is the best decision that I have made."