How life has changed, and stayed different, for one Ohio State 2028 recruit since his commitment

By Andrew Gillis, cleveland.comCOLUMBUS, Ohio -- Jameer Whyce didn’t have a Friday night loaded with fireworks. The 2028 defensive line commit from Trotwood-Madison didn’t play in the first half against Springfield, and only played a few snaps before the fourth quarter began.A trip to Ohio State the following morning for the Ball State game was, considering how much he played and the game score, much more interesting.Legend Bey, the offensive line and where Ohio State thrived or left doubt against Ball State: Buckeye Talk podcastThese teams can help the Big Ten make an early statement against the SEC: Big Ten Power Rankings 2026How TJ Alford, Kenyatta Jackson and the rest of Ohio State’s defense graded vs. Ball StateHow Julian Sayin, the offensive line and the rest of Ohio State’s offense graded vs. Ball StateWhyce, the No. 30 overall recruit and No. 4 defensive lineman in the Rivals Industry Ranking, has been committed to Ohio State for 11 months. And now, life is a bit different as a committed player compared to an uncommitted one -- sort of.He’s locked in with the Buckeyes. And the next steps become more pronounced for a player that won’t sign for another 15 months.“It’s really been more hectic, because coaches want to try to come get me,” Whyce said with a laugh. “You see other schools that have come and offered me, so I’d say it got more hectic. I couldn’t imagine what it’d be like if I wasn’t committed.”Whyce’s play style fits the mold of someone who can be both an interior lineman and an edge rusher if needed. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds on Rivals, but plays with an explosiveness that can be used as a three-technique defensive lineman, too.Now, the next moves for a committed player in the class are to try and build the class around him. Because while the 2028 class has firepower, it mostly resides on the offensive side of the ball. Five-star quarterback Christopher Vargas, five-star receiver Jett Harrison and four-star running back Elijah Newman-Hall are all, at least, top 100 recruits. Then there’s Whyce, who is now the torchbearer for the defensive class in 2028.“I feel like I’m a big recruiter,” Whyce said. “If y’all get to ask (2028 five-star defensive lineman) Kellan Hall, you can ask him.”Whyce had a big chance to help build the class this past Saturday, when he was on campus for the game against Ball State. He will take visits to the matchups against Maryland, Oregon and Michigan for the remainder of the season.“Telling him, ‘Come be with the best, got the best D-line coach, you got the history, we win, come do it,’” Whyce said about Hall, but also how he operates as a recruiter.On the field, Whyce has been able to focus on improvements, but from Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson has been able to help direct that coaching. They haven’t gotten into a specific role just yet, but he’s talked to him about getting faster and various tips and tricks to use along the line. Whyce, now a junior, said he’s much more explosive this season than he was a year ago -- especially with how much stronger and faster he said he’s gotten. He’s no longer a step behind, because he’s not thinking as much and just reacting to what he sees and trusting himself.He’s built relationships with current Ohio State players, like current defensive tackle Eddrick Houston, and is set to be on campus even more this fall. In a lot of ways, he’s working towards what’s to come when he puts pen-to-paper next December.In many other ways, though, he’s still living life as a high school recruit.Andrew Gillis covers Ohio State football and recruiting for Cleveland.com. He provides updates on Ohio State football as a whole, its prospects and the Buckeyes each week. He previously covered the Bengals for...