Signed: Jerron Cage

Ohio State landed a few early surprise commits in the 2017 class and though some of those early surprises did not end up sticking with the Buckeyes, one that did was that of Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods defensive tackle Jerron Cage.

The 6-foot-2, 278-pound prospect gave the Buckeyes an early verbal way back in July 2015 after Ohio State put out an early offer to the Queen City prospect. The months that followed were filled with rumors about Cage ultimately ending up at Notre Dame to play with his brother, Daniel, a defensive tackle in the 2014 class that head coach Urban Meyer had not offered.

Those rumors persisted throughout Cage's recruitment, even during this past fall, but Cage always insisted that there was nothing to them. Cage followed through on his word and signed with the Buckeyes on Wednesday morning at his high school.

In Cage, the Buckeyes are getting an explosive three-technique type of prospect along the defensive line and one who saw increased production on the field as a senior.

Ultimately, the Notre Dame smoke was just that and his long-time relationship with defensive line coach Larry Johnson won out in Ohio State's favor.

"I think we’ve had a really tight relationship ever since day one," Cage told BuckeyeGrove.com during his recruitment. "I really like how he proceeds in teaching me new things, especially at camp and just how he talks to me and lets me know what’s up. Me and coach Johnson are still getting closer as time goes on. I just know for sure that he’s my coach.”