Ohio State continued its recruiting momentum, adding a four-star quarterback to its 2024 class with the commitment of Air Noland from Fairburn, Ga., on Saturday night. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Noland is ranked No. 84 overall and the No. 8 quarterback in the 247Sports Composite. He had offers from Miami, Texas A&M, Clemson and Alabama among many others.
  • He is the ninth commitment in Ohio State’s class that has been surging and features two five-star receivers — Jeremiah Smith (No. 2 overall) and Mylan Graham (No. 27).
  • Noland is another addition to an impressive run by the Buckeyes this spring. Ohio State has added Noland, Graham, four-star running back James Peoples and in-state four-star offensive linemen Devontae and Deontae Armstrong in the last two weeks. The class is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation.

What does this mean for Ohio State’s 2024 class?

Ohio State finally has its quarterback. Noland fills an important void that was created when five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2024, decommitted from the Buckeyes in December. After Raiola’s announcement, Ohio State had to reevaluate where it was going with the quarterback position in the class. It responded by landing Noland, who was one of only three top-100 quarterbacks who were still on the board. — Teague Robinson

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What’s next for the Buckeyes?

With Noland in the fold, the focus for Ohio State will need to be on the defensive side of the ball. The Buckeyes have been on an impressive run as of late, but most of the talent has come on offense. Eight of their nine commitments play on offense, with the lone exception being four-star linebacker Garrett Stover. Ohio State is in a good position with a host of defensive players, including an in-state corner back duo of Bryce West (No. 49 overall) and Aaron Scott (No. 71).

Regardless of where the Buckeyes go next, it is a major win for the program to have its quarterback for the class on board with a host of top-100 skill position talent around him. — Teague Robinson

Where does this leave Noland’s other suitors?

Well, Miami must have known what Noland was going to do because it accepted a commitment from three-star prospect Judd Anderson on Friday. Clemson has now missed out on four quarterbacks in the class — DJ Lagway (committed to Florida), Jadyn Davis (Michigan), Walker White (Auburn) and now Noland to Ohio State. Clemson typically pursues one QB at a time, so Dabo Swinney and staff will need to turn their attention to the next prospect on its board.

Alabama was one of Noland’s finalists, but the Tide have a commitment from Julian Sayin, a five-star prospect from California. Texas A&M also has a QB committed in its 2024 class — three-star prospect Anthony Maddox from Mississippi. There’s a good chance that Jimbo Fisher and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino will look to add another quarterback. Oregon and Arkansas, the other two hats that made it to Noland’s commitment table, do not have QBs in their 2024 classes. — Raynor

They said it

“My dad was nicknamed Air Jordan in high school. He wore Jordans, had a bald head like him, dressed like him, was skinny, had the calf sleeve and everything. They just started calling him Air. So, he passed it down to me. It’s on my birth certificate. I love my name.” — Noland on why he was named Air

Required reading

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