COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's top-ranked 2018 recruiting class took a hit on Wednesday night when five-star defensive end Brenton Cox announced his decommitment from the Buckeyes.

Cox posted his decision on his public Twitter account.

The No. 22 overall player in the country, from Stockbridge, Ga., is coming off an official visit to Alabama last weekend. His decommitment leaves the Buckeyes without any defensive end commits in this class.

Cox was expected to take an official visit to Ohio State later this month, and sign in the early signing period, which opens on Dec. 20. It's unclear if Cox will make that visit. But so close to signing day, it's unlikely the Buckeyes get back in the mix.

Ohio State feared a flip from Cox, who's also shown interest in Georgia since committing to the Buckeyes last April. But that doesn't help soften the blow of losing a blue-chip prospect, especially at this position.

The Buckeyes will lose senior defensive ends Tyquan Lewis and Jalyn Holmes after this season, and Sam Hubbard seems destined for the NFL after the fourth-year junior spurned the pros when he could have left after the 2016 season. That will leave Ohio State low on scholarship defensive ends.

Only Nick Bosa, Jonathon Cooper and Chase Young are expected back next season. Rashod Berry, who was moved from defensive end to tight end this year, could be a candidate to move back to defense. Still, Ohio State needed to replenish that position in this recruiting class, and were likely on pace to take at least two pass rushers. Now the Buckeyes have none.

Ohio State lost a commitment from four-star defensive end Andrew Chatfield in August.

The Buckeyes are still in the running for four-star prospects Tyreke Smith and Jayson Oweh. Both will announce their decisions at the Under Armour All-American Game in January. Ohio State is also reportedly set to host four-star UCLA defensive end commitment Abdul-Malik McClain and uncommitted three-star prospect Casey Rogers this weekend for official visits.

But none of those players are locks to land in Columbus.

Ohio State has to -- has to -- sign a defensive end or two in this recruiting class. It's not total dire straits, but Cox decommitting now is a major hit. Don't be surprised if some new names start emerging outside of Smith, Oweh, McClain and Rogers.

Even with Cox's decommitment, Ohio State still maintains its spot as the No. 1 2018 recruiting class in the 247Sports composite ratings.