Ohio State remains in the early stages of 2015 recruiting class efforts but Urban Meyer continues to procure premier prospects from Florida. The Buckeyes landed Jacksonville area defensive back Ben Edwards on Tuesday and he quickly announced his decision on Twitter.
The 6'0", 196-pound Trinity Christian Academy product pledged to Ohio State over several standout schools. His offer list includes Auburn, Stanford, Notre Dame and North Carolina. Edwards, a 3-star recruit, is rated 20th nationally among safeties in 247Sports composite rankings.
Ohio State extended an offer last month and he immediately returned the team's interest.
"They love everything about me, they love my style of play and I have a chance to go up there and play early," Edwards told Orlando Sentinel reporter Chris Hays. "Ohio State is a great football program and they know how to win and all want to win a championship for Coach [Urban] Meyer and I want to be a part of that."
He is the second 2015 Florida prospect to commit to the Buckeyes. Four-star cornerback Jamel Dean (Cocoa, Fla.) pledged to Ohio State on New Year's Day.
Edwards earned a Florida Class 3A state title in each of the past two seasons. He is a hard-hitting secondary standout who projects favorably as a free safety at the next level.
Ohio State secured an outstanding haul of incoming defensive talent in its 2014 class. Edwards gives the Buckeyes even more insurance on the back end moving forward.
He is a rangy defender who contributes in coverage with quick feet and elite athleticism. Edwards still has room to grow physically and added bulk will aid him against the run.
Still, he is already an absolute thumper when it comes to delivering hits in the open field.
His commitment to Ohio State is strictly verbal and Edwards is still able to sign with any team he chooses.
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