It’s no secret Ohio State is in need of top-tier defensive linemen in the 2026 cycle.
One prospect who would fit that mold has narrowed down his recruitment to four teams with the Buckeyes making the cut. Four-star Washington, D.C. defensive end Carter Meadows released a top four schools list on Friday with Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and South Carolina all being represented.
BREAKING: Five-Star EDGE Carter Meadows is down to 4 Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 9, 2025
The 66 235 EDGE from Washington, DC is ranked as the No. 6 Recruit in the 26 Class (per On3)
Where Should He Go? https://t.co/W3oe3TGhO7 pic.twitter.com/KrUNp0hMO1
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Meadows is considered the No. 70 prospect in the nation and the No. 7 edge player. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound prospect recorded 33 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble in his junior season. Larry Johnson and Ohio State have made it clear to Meadows he’s a priority target, and the next few months will be crucial in his recruitment.
Meadows will likely take official visits to all four of his finalists, so knocking the trip out of the park will be a priority for Johnson and company when he arrives in Columbus this summer.
Multiple OSU coaches visit Tyler Atkinson
When it comes to linebacker recruiting, it’s clear that in-state product Cincere Johnson is a top priority for James Laurinaitis and OSU’s coaching staff. But the Buckeyes are also swinging for the fences and attempting to land the nation’s No. 1-rated linebacker.
Making use of the open recruiting period, Ohio State practically sent the house to recruit five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson last week, as Laurinaitis, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and co-defensive coordinator Tim Walton all traveled to Georgia to check in on the talented pass rusher.
I had a great evening #AtkNup with the #Buckeyes defensive staff@OhioStateFB @ryandaytime @ChadSimmons_ @samspiegs @OhioStAthletics @TomLoy247 @BuckeyeScoop @Birm @SSchraderOn3 @SWiltfong_ @OhioState @mickdwalker @11W @grayson_fb @R2X_Rushmen1 pic.twitter.com/fMXOCPLU1z
— Tyler Atkinson (@Tyler16Atkinson) May 10, 2025
Atkinson has no shortage of suitors of course, including his hometown Georgia Bulldogs, but the Buckeyes offered Atkinson when he was an eighth grader and have been a consistent presence in his recruitment. He recently visited Columbus for the Buckeyes’ spring game on April 12 and will likely be back this summer for an official visit.
Carter Jones and Kaleb Elkins get offers from the Buckeyes
Two 2027 prospects picked up offers from Ohio State on Monday.
Offensive line coach Tyler Bowen dipped into his old recruiting grounds and offered Virginia four-star offensive tackle Carter Jones as he continues to extend opportunities to recruits in the 2027 cycle.
AGTGAFTER A GREAT CONVERSATION WITH COACH @TylerBowen IM BLESSED TO HAVE RECEIVED AN OFFER TO THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY @ryandaytime @Hayesfawcett3 @ChadSimmons_ @adamgorney @TomLoy247 @SWiltfong_ @BrandonHuffman @samspiegs @parkerwereb8 pic.twitter.com/XZMegc9bRe
— Carter Jones (@carterjonesfb) May 12, 2025
Jones is rated the No. 318 prospect nationally and the No. 29 offensive tackle. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound lineman earned 23 Division I offers, including Auburn, Duke, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi State, NC State, North Carolina, Penn State, South Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia and West Virginia.
Meanwhile, OSU safeties coach Matt Guerrieri offered Kaleb Elkins, a 2027 safety from Indiana. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound prospect has 15 offers, which include Alabama, Arizona State, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Purdue, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin.
After a great conversation with @MattGuerrieri I am blessed to receive an offer from @OhioStateFB @CoachWhitaker1 @WARRENCENTRALFB @IndianaPreps @AllenTrieu @SWiltfong_ @Bryan_Ault pic.twitter.com/4j0weYgIhp
— Kaleb Elkins (@TheKalebElkins) May 12, 2025
As a sophomore, Elkins recorded 32 tackles, one tackle for loss, six interceptions and seven pass deflections.
Brayden Robinson no longer taking official visit to Ohio State
Four-star Texas wide receiver Brayden Robinson is no longer considering Ohio State in his recruitment. Robinson announced he’ll no longer take his official visit to Columbus and instead take trips to Notre Dame, Miami and Arizona.
I will NOT be taking my official visit to Ohio State #TrustTheProcess @SWiltfong_ @TomLoy247 @MikeRoach247 @samspiegs
— Brayden Quick6ix Robinson (@_Quick6ix) May 10, 2025
It’s not difficult to piece together why the trip is no longer occurring. Ohio State wanted to take around four wideouts in the 2026 class, and with Kayden Dixon-Wyatt committing to the Buckeyes earlier this month, Brian Hartline already has four wide receivers in the current cycle.
Speaking of Dixon-Wyatt, he announced he’s shutting down his recruitment and won’t take any other visits to other schools. The gesture is appreciated I’m sure, but it’s still a sign of the times when a kid has to announce he’s shutting down his recruitment a few days after he committed to a school.
— Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (@kayyydeenn) May 10, 2025
