Ohio State is adding another winner to its quarterback room.
The Buckeyes picked up a verbal commitment on Saturday night from Top247 passer Air Noland live on the 247Sports’ YouTube channel.
Noland, who has thrown for over 8,000 yards on Friday nights over the past three years, picked Ohio State over Alabama, Clemson, Miami, Texas A&M and plenty of others.
OSU general manager Mark Pantoni noted last month on the 247Sports Football Recruiting Podcast that one of the key factors the Buckeyes look for at the quarterback position is signal callers that can lead and produce visitors. Noland can do just that as he owns a 28-3 record as the starter at Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes. That included a perfect 15-0 campaign as a junior.
Aside from his winning ways, what also stands out about Noland is his release. The lefty has a quick stroke and has shown time and time again that he can attack all different levels of the field.
“A respected high school football coach – now an FBS head coach – once told me, ‘Don’t tell me you can’t coach a left-handed quarterback. If you can’t coach a lefty, that just means you can’t coach.’ Air Noland represents exactly the caliber of southpaw QB you better be happy to coach rather than worry about being left-handed,” writes 247Sports national analyst Gabe Brooks.
“Big frame, astronomical production, low interception rate, winner. Getting as many live game reps as possible has proven important at the QB position in recent NFL Drafts, and Noland will enter his senior year with 700-plus pass attempts already under his belt. The ball gets out fast and gets downfield fast when needed. Don’t worry about him being left-handed; just let Air do his thing and chances are you will like the results.”
Added 247Sports national analyst Chris Singleton: “Air displays the right make-up from a physical stature standpoint that schools are looking for. He does a very good job playing from the pocket or on the move and is comfortable in both situations with his quick delivery, accuracy, and consistent zip on the ball. He does a nice job of making plays off platform and utilizing touch to make throws into tight windows and over defenders. With his live feet, poise, and his continuous ability to process what defenses are trying to do from a coverage standpoint, his long-term growth is on the uptick.”
The team at 247Sports currently pegs Noland as the No. 7 quarterback and No. 55 overall prospect in the class of 2024. He is set to cap off his prep career at the All-American Bowl.
247Sports Scouting Report
A lefty that can attack all three levels of the field. Has measured roughly 6-foot-2, 190 pounds multiple times. Owns a quick, compact release that is believed to be one of the fastest –if not the fastest– in the 2024 cycle. More than comfortable on the move and has plenty of experience running RPOs out of a single-back spread attack. Will beat defenders to the sticks with his legs, and is more than creative when the pocket starts to break down, but shouldn’t be considered a run-first quarterback as he keeps his eyes downfield while working through his progressions and always seems to be looking for the home run. Came one toss away from tying a Peach State single-season record with 55 touchdown passes during a magical junior campaign in which he led his squad to a perfect 15-0 record and a AAAAAA state title. Also helped carry his school to the state finals the year prior as a first-time, full-time starter. Accurate and not one to make too many mistakes, but has benefited significantly from playing alongside plenty of Power Five talent at the prep level. Must adjust to the speed and everyday demands of big-time college football, but has the tools and mechanics to not only win games on Saturdays, but also be a true difference-maker on offense. Could suit up on Sundays one day if he keeps progressing.