Javontae

Jean-Baptiste

Jean-Baptiste (6’5/239) spent five seasons at Ohio State, where he totaled eight sacks over 33 games. In 2023, Jean-Baptiste transferred to Notre Dame, where he posted season-highs in tackles (49), TFLs (10.5), and sacks (5). While he’s a bit undersized for an end, Jean-Baptiste crushed his workout at the NFL Combine, running a 4.66 40-time while earning a 9.22 relative athletic score. Far from an elite playmaker, Jean-Baptiste has the traits of a player worth developing. With good hands and athleticism, some additional refinement as a pass rusher coupled with more hours in the weight room could give him a chance to earn a spot on a 53-man roster at some point. PFF graded Washington’s pass rush as the league’s seventh worst in 2023.

The Buckeyes have endured their struggles when it comes to getting after opposing quarterbacks, and being without Smith (6'3/260) for a second consecutive game won’t help matters. The good news for Ohio State is that Javontae Jean-Baptiste, who missed last weekend’s win over Akron due to injury, has been cleared to return. He’ll look to help Ryan Day’s team account for the absence of Smith, who is the team’s best pass rusher.

Jean-Baptiste (6'5/215) was just recently paid an in-home visit from Aggies HC Jimbo Fisher and will now check out in official capacity what College Station has to offer. He previously took official visits to Virginia Tech, Nebraska and Ohio State. Huskers HC Scott Frost also visited him at home this week, same as Fisher. It’s Nebraska that might have an inside edge, here. Looping back to Texas A&M, though -- we’ve been somewhat underwhelmed with what the Aggies have done on the recruiting trail since Fisher took over for Kevin Sumlin in December. That shouldn’t be a problem in the long term, but it’s not the best of early looks. On the 247Sports team rankings board for 2018, Texas A&M currently sits at a modest No. 35.

Baptiste (6'5/215) picks the Buckeyes over Nebraska, Texas A&M and Boston College, but had offers from several other “big-name” schools. He’ll likely be an edge-rusher, and his size and 4.78 speed could make him tough to handle off the edge. He ranks in ESPN’s top 300, and 16th overall at the outside linebacker position by 247 Sports in their composite rankings.