2024 Freshman Class Report: Cornerback Miles Lockhart

This is the 16th installment in a series where Buckeye Huddle looks back on each member of Ohio State’s 2024 signing class and the impact they had in their first season, as well as the impact they could have during the upcoming 2025 season. Up next is cornerback Miles Lockhart.

Miles Lockhart signed with Ohio State out of Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona. He was ranked the No. 34 cornerback in the 2024 recruiting class per the 247Sports Composite and the No. 399 player overall. He chose the Buckeyes over offers from Texas A&M, Oregon, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, Iowa, Washington, and others.

As a junior, Lockhart posted 69 tackles and four interceptions in helping lead his team to a state championship. He finished with 39 tackles and two tackles for loss in nine games as a senior.

2024 Season

Like most of his 2024 classmates, Miles Lockhart enrolled early and was able to go through winter workouts and spring practice. When Lockhart was recruited by Ohio State, they talked to him about playing nickel. That’s where he opened in the spring, but he was behind a group that included Jordan Hancock, Jermaine Mathews, and Lorenzo Styles, so reps were hard to find.

Even with Mathews moving back outside to cornerback in fall camp, Lockhart still found himself behind Hancock and Styles. As such, he did not see any game action last season for the Buckeyes and redshirted.

So Now What For Miles Lockhart?

The job that Miles Lockhart was recruited to play is now open as Jordan Hancock is off to the NFL. At this week’s NFL Combine, Hancock was asked how he’d be replaced and he mentioned that there could be a competition between Lockhart, Bryce West, Jermaine Mathews, and Lorenzo Styles.

Given Mathews’ projection as a starting cornerback this season, his involvement at nickel would be a surprise, but that surprise has already happened once in his career. The most likely battle will be a three-man race between Styles, West, and Lockhart. Styles is the most experienced of the three. He was Hancock’s backup last year and played some good snaps as the Buckeyes’ dime.

Even if Lockhart doesn’t win the job as the nickel, there is still a role needed at dime. There is also the fact that the Buckeyes are planning a very long season and depth will always be needed. This spring will be Lockhart’s best chance so far to show if he can be called upon this season.