COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State football will put the final touches on its 2018 recruiting class on Wednesday, the first day of the regular signing period. Here are five things to know about the Buckeyes and their 2018 class heading into National Signing Day.

1. Yes, we're 24 hours away from National Signing Day. And if it feels like there should be more hoopla, remember we're in a new recruiting world. For many programs, the normal February signing day doesn't carry as much weight because the majority of their classes were inked during the new early signing period back in December.

Ohio State signed 21 players on Dec. 20. If you need a refresher on which players the Buckeyes signed, you can see the full list here. So the action will be lessened some on Wednesday.

2. Ohio State has 24 commitments. That's the 21 who signed in the early period, and three who have committed since: four-star defensive ends Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday; and four-star receiver Chris Olave.

Smith, Friday and Olave should all sign at some point on Wednesday. Olave is on the West Coast, so his letter might come in a little later than the others.

When it comes to names to know for potential additions, that's a short list. They are:

* Five-star offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere. The Tampa, Fla., product is the No. 7 overall player in the country, and the top tackle in the class.

* Four-star offensive tackle Rasheed Walker. The Maryland product is the No. 65 overall player in the country, and the No. 6 tackle in the class.

* Four-star linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste. The New Jersey product is the No. 219 overall player in the country, and the No. 16 outside linebacker in the class.

Petit-Frere and Walker have Wednesday morning decisions set. Petit-Frere's will be on ESPNU between 10 and 11 a.m. Walker will reportedly be announcing around 11:15 a.m. It's unclear when Jean-Baptiste will announce his decision.

3. Petit-Frere and Walker are the highest priorities with offensive tackle being Ohio State's greatest position of need in this class. The Buckeyes have one tackle signed already in four-star prospect Max Wray, but the cupboard gets a bit bare if you look past the 2018 season.

When it comes to players on the roster who you know for sure are tackles, and have eligibility remaining beyond next season -- well that list is short too. It's basically sophomore Thayer Munford; junior Josh Alabi (a converted defensive tackle); redshirt sophomore Gavin Cupp; and Wray. Then there are juniors Branden Bowen (a starting guard last year) and Michael Jordan (a starting guard for the past two years).

The point is Ohio State needs tackles. It's not a glaring need that will show up this year. But without more tackles signed in 2018, the Buckeyes could find themselves in a somewhat precarious spot with that position in two years and be forced to sign some 2019 prospects who must be ready to potentially play early. That's never an easy find with offensive linemen.

4. And here's the issue: It's likely the Buckeyes don't add any new players to the class in the regular signing period.

They're not considered the consensus favorite for either Petit-Frere or Walker. Though there's some optimism with Ohio State having just hosted Petit-Frere for his final official visit last weekend, and the Buckeyes have always had a strong presence in Walker's recruitment, the fact remains that Ohio State at the very least is in heated competition for both.

For Walker it's Penn State or Ohio State, and the Nittany Lions remain the favorite after a round of in-home visits with his finalists last week. For Petit-Frere it's all over the board with Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Alabama seemingly in decent spots and him keeping things close to the vest.

Even Jean-Baptiste is trending toward Nebraska in the 247Sports crystal ball predictions.

Ohio State a week ago looked poised to add a couple of in-state prospects in four-star linebacker Chris Oats and three-star running back Tavion Thomas. Both had late official visits to Columbus cancelled, and it appears they're both out of the mix.

If the Buckeyes don't add any new players on Wednesday, that would be a weird kind of signing day. But perhaps it's an unintended consequence of the early period. The first Wednesday in February has been marginalized a bit. It wouldn't necessarily mean Ohio State "lost", though missing out on both tackles would be tough.

In signing Smith, Friday and Olave, there's plenty for Ohio State to be happy about. Smith and Friday fill the other major need in this class at defensive end. But prep yourself for what could be a rather uneventful National Signing Day.

5. So is it possible for Ohio State to not add any new players but still keep its top spot in the 247Sports composite class rankings? Can Urban Meyer get his first recruiting title in Columbus without a signing day splash? Most likely not.

The Buckeyes are No. 1 right now with a class score of 311.17. Georgia is No. 2 at 309.23. The only other program with the remaining targets to make a significant jump is Alabama, at No. 6 with a score of 275.92. But let's assume the Crimson Tide are out of it. They're a real long shot. It's Ohio State vs. Georgia to end Alabama's seven-year reign as recruiting champ.

Ohio State's most likely scenario is standing pat at 311.17. Adding Petit Frere makes it 316.41. Adding Walker makes it 313.84. Adding both makes it 318.61. Adding Walker and Jean-Baptiste makes it 314.49.

Georgia has a lot of targets still on the board, including five-star cornerback Tyson Campbell, for whom the Bulldogs are considered the favorite. Assuming Georgia adds Campbell, that bumps its score up to 315.50.

Without Petit-Frere in the fold, it's safe to assume that the Buckeyes aren't winning the recruiting title this year, and will finish No. 2 for the second year in a row and the third time under Meyer.