Pivotal Ohio State Visit On Deck for Four-Star Defensive End Damien Shanklin

INDIANAPOLIS — It is critical that Ohio State sign a talented group of pass rushers in the 2025 class and one of the top targets will be on campus soon in Indianapolis (IN) Warren Central product Damien Shanklin.

The four-star defensive end does not yet hold an offer, but that seems a mere formality once he sets foot on campus. Shanklin missed a scheduled January visit due to illness and has since rescheduled for March 7th, Ohio State’s second spring practice.

Ohio State has been a program of interest for Shanklin since he was very young and as his offer list goes national, this is shaping up to be a potentially pivotal visit in his recruiting process in terms of determining how much of a factor the Buckeyes might be going forward.

“Just growing up watching them and knowing a lot about coach (Larry) Johnson as the years go by and just watching them and watching the D-Line get after it, it’s just always been me watching the Buckeyes and Notre Dame, schools like that,” Shanklin told BuckeyeHuddle.com on Tuesday afternoon.

Growing up rooting for Ohio State is one thing, getting to know the program and all of the intricate details that go on inside the football facility is another. Shanklin is looking forward to getting that experience on the 7th of March.

“The culture of the school and just how the bond is between the coaches and the players,” Shanklin explained. “That’s why a lot of recruits like myself go to practices. Just being able to watch how the coaches are treating their players, how the players are reacting and how the coaches can develop the players.”

The development track record of Larry Johnson at Ohio State is something that has always caught Shanklin’s attention.

“Recently, I’ve been watching guys like Chase Young and Nick Bosa before they went to the NFL,” he said. “It really inspired me because everyone called them D-Line U.”

Even with a national offer list and visits scheduled to places like Texas and Tennessee, it could shape up to be a Midwest battle for Shanklin who lists three rival programs as recruiting him the hardest.

“As far as coaches that talk to me frequently, I would say Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan (are communicating the most),” he added.

Hear more from Shanklin in our one-on-one interview with the major Buckeye target as we caught up with the four-star prospect on Tuesday at his school.