Just seven Ohio players were signed in this year's recruiting class, but head coach Urban Meyer of Ohio State is out to put added emphasis on his in-state prospects for the 2018 class.

A big step in the right direction came Monday night when top-ranked in-state player Toledo St. John Jesuit's four-star linebacker Dallas Gant added the Buckeyes to his Top 5 list along with Michigan State, Michigan, Pen State and Notre Dame.

Gant stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 225 pounds and ranks No. 117 overall prospect in the 2018 class. He is considered fifth-best outside linebacker. Gant became a Columbus regular after being offered a scholarship by former defensive coordinator Luke Fickell during a one-day camp in June of last year, his own Junior Day in February and being part of the Michigan and Nebraska wins last fall.