Making the case: Taron Vincent

Now that the Class of 2018 is officially on the clock, several of the nation’s top players have begun to cut their lists in advance of a commitment announcement.

Today, experts from the Rivals.com network examine where five-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent might end up playing his college football. The candidates are Ohio State and Florida State.

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The Situation: Vincent is the next great defensive lineman to come out of IMG Academy, but he is originally from the Mid-Atlantic and is the son of former NFL player Troy Vincent. During the early part of his recruitment it seemed like it was only a matter of time until he committed to the Buckeyes. But since he moved to Florida, the Seminoles have made it quite interesting. Vincent has a visit to Columbus upcoming and a decision is expected shortly thereafter.

So where will he end up?

We asked our team experts to state the case for their respective programs and let National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell issue a verdict.

“Naturally Ohio State has been the team linked with Vincent, but there's a lot to like about FSU's chances: His family has connections to FSU, along with the work FSU defensive tackle coach Odell Haggins has done in producing top defensive talent in the NFL. I think there's also now a personal bond with Vincent and Haggins that wasn't always there, and that plays into it. Usually when Haggins locks in like that, FSU is very tough to beat. Haggins has that father figure relationship, much like he did with Marvin Wilson, who chose FSU over Ohio State and LSU.

"Maybe even more important for FSU is the comfort that Vincent feels around the players and program that just seems different then any other place he's been. It also helps their chances greatly that his good friend, freshman DE Josh Kaindoh, is there at FSU and we hear the Vincent and Kaindoh families are pretty close. Lastly, FSU does a very good job at offering a lot of freedom to how their defensive tackles are used. In some cases they are used as ends and that's very appealing to Vincent and other defensive linemen around the country.” – Michael Langston, Warchant.com

“Ohio State has a few things working in its favor. First and foremost, the Buckeyes have been at the top of Vincent's list for the duration of his recruiting process, and despite not having him on campus in several months, remain at the top along with Florida State. Vincent and his family have a very strong relationship with Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson, one that goes back several years to when his older brother was being recruited by Penn State. Johnson would be Taron's position coach at Ohio State, so that relationship carries a lot of weight here. Ohio State is also slated to get what could be Vincent's last visit before he makes a decision, which gives the Buckeyes another leg up.” – Marc Givler, BuckeyeGrove.com

“It may be foolish to pick against FSU for another elite defensive tackle like I did with Marvin Wilson, but Vincent will end up at Ohio State. He was expected to commit to the Buckeyes in December, and I don’t think a lot has changed since then despite a push from the ‘Noles. He has talked about his relationship with Johnson and that relationship will be key. It’s hard to bet against Haggins when it comes to a kid he covets and gets to know, but Ohio State has been the leader for so long I have to think they land him.” – Farrell.