Felix Ojo lost a shirt but gained something of much greater value at Ohio State’s Thursday recruiting camp.
Battling back and forth and commonly thwarting a common opponent, Ojo had a high school T-shirt ripped from his body and thrown spitefully on the ground on the final rep of the afternoon.
“This is the first time I got my shirt ripped off at a camp,” Ojo told Eleven Warriors. “I mean, it's just one-on-ones. Things get heated at the moment. So I have to shrug it off, I guess.”
Hours later – donning a new shirt of course – Ojo picked up an offer from the Buckeyes, immediately surging the school to the top of the recruitment for the 2026 offensive tackle.
“Right now, especially with the relationship I have with Ohio State already, and if I received the offer today, it would rank pretty high in my recruitment,” Ojo said before receiving his offer.
#AGTG After talks with @ryandaytime I am blessed to receive my 27th D1 offer from @OhioStateFB thank you to the whole coaching staff for the opportunity! @CoachJFrye @CoachSollenne @RyanMayhew_ @samspiegs @MikeRoach247 @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/BXqlKCsQFh
— Felix Ojo (@FelixTheOL) June 13, 2024
Ojo is a four-star prospect ranked as the No. 22 offensive tackle and No. 296 recruit overall in the 2026 recruiting class. His offer list includes a who’s-who of the sport, with Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and USC joining OSU in the battle for his services.
Though recruitments for the junior class haven’t ramped up fully yet, Ojo feels he’s already built a strong bond with Ohio State’s coaching staff, namely offensive line coach Justin Frye.
“Coach Mike (Sollenne), Coach Frye, I’ve been building a relationship for a long time now,” Ojo said. “Me finally being able to make the trip up here was a great feeling, just to see him coach in person really.”
Indeed, as with many prospects, relationships will play a large part in where Ojo decides to play collegiately. He’s also looking for a program with fantastic facilities and a strong program in his major of choice, business.
“I'm really looking for good relationships with coaches, because again, when I commit to a school, I'm going to be with that coach for four years,” Ojo said. “So I want to have a good relationship. Facilities to help build me into the top offensive lineman in the nation. And then also education, which programs have the best thing for my major.”
Thursday also brought Ojo his first chance to check out Ohio State’s campus. While there, he explored some of the larger surrounding metropolis.
“The city of Columbus is actually a beautiful city,” Ojo said. “Like, one of the better cities I've been to. Facilities, the facilities are great over here. So far, what I've seen, it's just a great environment.”
Ojo added that he doesn’t have any more visits planned this summer to any schools, but he does want to return to Columbus at some point in the future. Despite it being his 27th scholarship offer, it’s one he holds in high regard.
“It would mean a lot, especially since Ohio State's one of the top programs in college football,” Ojo said. “Everyone knows Ohio State and Michigan, the rivalry. It would just be a great feeling.”
Going into his junior year of high school football, Ojo is trying to hold himself to a higher standard in both areas of blocking. Ideally, he’ll do so while maintaining his full remaining wardrobe.
“Just being more aggressive on run blocks,” Ojo said. “This season, I'm trying to go for zero sacks let up. Also, just working more on technique and preparing myself for that college level.”
