Local 4-star edge rusher with Ohio State interest decommits from Washington

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football’s defensive line recruiting for the 2024 class may not be finished after an intriguing in-state prospect came back on the market.

Riverside defensive end Dominic Kirks was already committed to Washington but did not sign in the early period. When Ohio State lost out on some other commits and targets prior to signing day, it doubled back on the four-star, top-300 talent who previously played at Villa Angela-St. Joseph.

Rivals’ Jeremy Birmingham reported earlier this week that the 6-4, 255-pound Kirks would be in this weekend for an official visit. Whether in conjunction with that trip or as a result of coach Kalen DeBoer’s exit for Alabama — or both — Kirks announced his decommitment from Washington on Friday night.

Ohio State’s 2024 class includes only two defensive linemen: Five-star edge rusher Eddrick Houston and three-star edge Eric Mensah. It lost five-star tackle Justin Scott to a decommitment in late November. Amaris Williams flipped from Florida to Auburn despite heavy pursuit from OSU.

The 2025 signing class projects to be heavy on defensive linemen with all of the NFL Draft-eligible players who came back completing their eligibility. Adding Kirks now would allow OSU to get out ahead of those needs.