Mark Fletcher, nation's No. 7 running back, commits to Ohio State Buckeyes

The state of Florida is historically loaded at the running back position the class of 2023, boasting five of the nation’s top seven ball-carriers.

It’s a group that features Edgewater's Cedrick Baxter Jr. (No. 2 overall), Lehigh's Richard Young (No. 3), Flemington Island's Samuel Singleton (No. 5), Trinity Christian Academy's Treyaun Webb (No. 6) and American Heritage’s Mark Fletcher (No. 7).

How special is that collection of playmakers?

In the modern history of recruiting rankings, which began in 2000, Florida has never produced more than three of the nation’s top seven backs in a single recruiting cycle.

That’s a lot of talent for college coaches to pursue.

And until Tuesday, none of the five elite playmakers had made their college commitments.

Live on CBSSports HQ at American Heritage High School, Fletcher became the first player in the historic group to come off the board, announcing his commitment to Ohio State over fellow finalists Miami (Fla.), Michigan and Penn State.

He is the first Florida running back to commit to the Buckeyes since Trinity Christian Academy’s Marcus Crowley as part of the 2019 class.

Fletcher is rated the nation’s No. 187 overall prospect and No. 7 ball-carrier.

Over the past two seasons, the bruising 6-foot-1, 225-pound back, out of Plantation, Florida, ran for 2,190 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class consists of seven pledges and is ranked among the top-10 classes in the country.

The group is led by Ohio four-star offensive tackle Luke Montgomery, Tennessee four-star tight end Ty Lockwood and a pair of Florida pledges, Fletcher and Cocoa High School four-star safety Cedrick Hawkins.