Signed: Jakob James

Sometimes rankings just don't matter, and that usually proves to be the case with offensive linemen from the state of Ohio. Ohio State has reaped the benefit of lower-ranked offensive linemen being successful in Columbus in the past, with names like Pat Elflein and Jacoby Boren coming to mind most recently.

Cut from the same cloth as those two is new Ohio State signee Jakob James, who may not have the measurables or athletic athleticism of some of the higher-ranked players in the class, but when push comes to shove, he just gets the job done.

He's also a guy who wanted to be a Buckeye, pledging to the Scarlet and Gray back in January, not long after getting an offer from Ryan Day and Greg Studrawa. There's absolutely something to be said about that and how it translates to success, and it won't be surprising if that's the case with James.

While James won't sign early with the Buckeyes, you better believe he'll be ready to get to work when he arrives in campus next summer.

"I’m looking forward to signing with the Buckeyes on Wednesday," James told BuckeyeGrove in advance of inking his letter of intent. "It’s been a dream of mine to play for them. I’m looking forward to bringing my skills to the best o-line unit in the country to do whatever they need me to do. I look forward to getting in the room and being coached by Coach Stud."

James is currently ranked as a 3-star prospect by Rivals.

At 6-foot-4, 265-pounds, James is definitely going to have to add weight before he can be a contributor at Ohio State, which means he'll likely redshirt next season.

That said, once he gets to where he needs to be physically, he's one of those guys you just don't want to bet against. He's kind of an old school lineman in the sense that he's a blue collar, tough, gritty lineman, who is willing to line up against anyone and try to knock their teeth in. He may not be as tall, as strong, or as fast as the guy across from him, but somehow, whether it be via technique or out-toughing them, he'll get the job done.

As the son of a coach, he's got a high football IQ and really understands how to play the offensive line position. He's also position-versatile, and could potentially line up at a number of spots on the offensive line for the Buckeyes, although guard seems to be the best fit.

When looking at rankings alone, you wouldn't normally project a guy like James to be a starter, let alone contributor, down the road, but like Elflein, I just have a feeling he'll come in, work his tail off, and find a way to be successful. I absolutely love guys like James and believe he'll be in the starting five for the Buckeyes one day.