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Ohio State Football Recruiting: Buckeyes Stock Defense With Commitments From 2 Five-Star Recruits

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The Ohio State Buckeyes are restocking for another run at the crystal football with the official addition of another five-star recruit.

According to ESPN, both Justin Hilliard and Jashon Cornell have committed to Ohio State as of Wednesday. The Buckeyes already landed six four-star recruits, but Hilliard and Cornell add two major pieces to their defense.

Cornell is the fifth-rated defensive end in the high school class and ESPN expects him to fit in well in an already-stacked Ohio State defensive line.

"The choice (is) Ohio State," Cornell told Rivals.com. "I believe it is the right choice because I have family that lives 30 minutes from Ohio State, so I will never get homesick. Then, just the relationship I had with (assistant) coach Larry Johnson. He's been recruiting me since my freshman year and I felt he was the right coach for me."

Johnson coached Big Ten rival Penn State's defensive line from 1996 to 2013 under Joe Paterno and Bill O'Brien. Johnson left Penn State for Ohio State when James Franklin brought in his own staff. Cornell knew of Johnson's prowess in recruiting and developing defensive linemen.

"He's sent seven draft picks to the NFL," Cornell said. "I know going to him, I'm going to work and he's going to make me a better player."

Ohio State won its first 12 games last season before losing to Michigan State and missing out on both the Rose Bowl and National Championship game. They instead got the Discover Orange Bowl and lost to Clemson.

With the implementation of the College Football Playoff, Ohio State could be one of four teams selected to play for the national title. With quarterback Braxton Miller returning for his senior season, Ohio State looks poised to be one of the most formidable teams in the nation.

Thanks to Hilliard and Cornell, Ohio State jumped 17 places in an updated recruiting class ranking from ESPN. While the top five remained unchanged and most teams moving up or down one spot, Ohio State went from 23rd to sixth overall.

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