Five-star 2025 defensive back Jontae Gilbert caught many in the recruiting industry off guard when he publicly committed to the Buckeyes extremely early in his recruiting process, giving Ohio State a verbal commitment on July 29, 2022, making him the first Buckeye commit in the 2025 cycle.
Since then, several schools have attempted to flip his commitment, including Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee and USC, among others. Still, Gilbert has maintained his commitment to the Buckeyes and has a close relationship with Ryan Day and Ohio State cornerbacks coach Tim Walton.
Gilbert has visited Columbus a number of times — including attending last year’s season opener against Notre Dame — and has set his next visit to Ohio State for Sept. 16 when the Buckeyes host Western Kentucky, Gilbert told Eleven Warriors Tuesday. Gilbert may also attend the Penn State matchup on Oct. 21 but said that’s only a “maybe” at this point.
Ohio State has two 2025 commits, with quarterback Tavien St. Clair being the other. Gilbert is considered the 25th-ranked prospect in the 2025 cycle per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Strayhorn excited by Ohio State offer
Four-star 2025 Florida offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn was among the more impressive performers at Ohio State’s recruiting camp on June 15. Offensive line coach Justin Frye and Day offered the 6-foot-3, 285-pound prospect after Strayhorn impressed him in individual drills and one-on-ones.
"It felt great to get the offer," Strayhorn told Eleven Warriors shortly after getting the offer. "Coach Day told me coach Frye said I did outstanding in the camp and that I was offered a scholarship. In camp, coach Frye told me chest over knees, knees over ankles.”
Strayhorn is considered the 263rd-best prospect and the 12th-rated interior offensive lineman in the 2025 class. He's earned nearly 20 Division I offers, including Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, Texas, Penn State and USC.
(I'll be back) definitely for a game," Strayhorn said of his future Ohio State visit plans.
Scott down to three teams ahead of decision date
There isn’t much of a mystery regarding which teams remain firmly in the race for four-star Ohio cornerback Aaron Scott leading up to his July 30 commitment date. Nevertheless, Scott publicly named his final three teams on Sunday: Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon.
Elite 2024 CB Aaron Scott Jr. is set to make his College Decision between these 3 Schools on July 30th
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 9, 2023
Where Should He Go?https://t.co/1PirTbCp96 pic.twitter.com/SmP5Mpjoq0
While Oregon is the team Scott says he rooted for growing up, it’s believed the Springfield cornerback’s decision is a heated battle between the Buckeyes and Wolverines, a race that remains still too close to call.
What team’s apparel a recruit wears on a given day certainly shouldn’t be taken as an end-all, be-all situation, but Scott donned Michigan gloves on Tuesday while competing at a seven-on-seven event in Dayton.
Here at a Dayton area 7-on event and #Buckeyes target Aaron Scott wearing Michigan cleats. pic.twitter.com/sSCpUURpe4
— Kevin Noon (@Kevin_Noon) July 11, 2023
Looks like maize and blue Jordan brand cleats here on Aaron Scott Jr., who is down to Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon. Also Jordan gloves and elbow sleeve pic.twitter.com/e3DFNzlojQ
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) July 11, 2023
Various Ohio State commits have said they’re going to openly recruit Aaron Scott until his commitment date, including Bryce West, Miles Lockhart, Garrett Stover, the Armstrong twins and more. In May, Scott admitted the Buckeyes' commits talk to him nearly daily.
“We’re gonna get Aaron,” Lockhart told Eleven Warriors this month. “We’ve got to get Aaron. We’re on him a lot, so we’ve got to get him.”
The Buckeyes will find out if they landed their top remaining in-state target in around two and a half weeks.
