Now that 2013 national signing days is in the books, the recruitment of central Ohio's top football players from the 2014 class is in full swing.

So who are this year's combo DL/LBs like Jake Butt and Taco Charlton?

Are there are any stud TEs like Jacob Matuska or Nick Vannett, or any future Big Ten RBs like Warren Ball or Godwin Igwebuike in our midst?

According to several published reports, Lancaster OT Kyle Trout (6-6, 280) verbally committed to Ohio State earlier this month. Considering he's from central Ohio, most recruiters have crossed him off their list.

Over the coming weeks, I'm planning to get in touch with some of central Ohio's other hot football recruits and check in about their recruiting process.

To get things started, I'll throw out two names to chew on in addition to Trout, followed by a list of others to watch.

Also headlining the 2014 class of central Ohio players are Westerville Central offensive tackle Nick Richardson and Hartley cornerback Alonzo Saxton.

According to his page on Rivals.com, Richardson has offers from five BCS schools and eight offers total. Although he doesn't yet have an offer from Ohio State, the 6-foot-4, 285-pounder reportedly is on Urban Meyer's radar.

Saxton has been somewhat in the shadow of Ja'Wuan Woodley and Jacob Matuska the last couple years at Hartley, but the 5-11, 165-pounder has the kind of electric athleticism that could make him more of an impact college player. He has offers from seven BCS schools.

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT an exhaustive list. If you know of an area athlete who gets an offer from a Division I school, feel free to e-mail me at julrey@thisweeknews.com.

I'll include Trout, Saxton and Richardson on this chart below of who I think are going to be some of the hottest recruits from central Ohio from the 2014 class:

Kyle Trout, Lancaster -- OT verbally committed to Ohio State

Nick Richardson, Westerville Central -- OT with 5 BCS offers and eight total

Alonzo Saxton, Hartley -- Speedy DB with 7 BCS offers and eight total

Darryl Long, Westerville South -- 6-4, 220 TE with BCS offers from Illinois, Indiana and Pitt and 6 offers total

Chris Frey, Upper Arlington -- 6-2, 210 LB with BCS offers from Syracuse and 4 offers total

Martesse Patterson, Marion-Franklin -- 6-5, 280 OL offer from Illinois and 4 offers total

Jake Grant, Reynoldsburg -- 6-4, 290 OL with offer from Akron

Robert Bowers, Walnut Ridge -- 6-5, 210 DL with offer from Cincinnati

Andrew Meyer, Pickerington Central -- 6-0, 185 WR with offer from Ohio U.

Brady Taylor, Ready -- 6-5, 264 OL with offers from Bowling Green & Toledo

Ramroth Finnegan, Whetstone -- 6-3, 205 QB

Devon Rogers, Hilliard Darby -- 5-10, 185 ATH

Charles Holland, Columbus West -- 6-2, 178 WR/DB/Kick returner

Geno Rollo, Pickerington North -- 6-2, 230 DL

Skylar Hartley, Hilliard Bradley -- 6-3, 290 OL

Elin Anu, Westerville Central -- 5-10, 260 WR/DB

Tawain Gordon, Pickerington Central -- 6-0, 187 RB

Curtis Mitchell, Westerville South -- 6-4, 230 DL

Kalil Morris, Hartley -- 6-3, 225 DL

Marshal Davis, Olentangy Liberty -- 6-1, 255 DL

Noah Spielman, Upper Arlington -- 6-1, 230 DL

Cory Beal, Reynoldsburg -- 6-1, 205 TE/DL

Solomon Grace, Reynoldsburg -- 6-0, 220 LB

Dylan Weigel, Pickerington North -- 5-11, 185 LB

Micky Crum, Hamilton Township -- 6-4, 220 LB

Seth Hill, Worthington Kilbourne -- 5-9, 155 DB