Taking Stock of Ohio State's 2026 Recruiting Class Two Weeks Ahead of Official Visit Season

By Garrick Hodge on May 18, 2025 at 8:35 am
Maxwell Riley
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We're officially less than two weeks away from official visit season.

With 13 commits, Ohio State sits at No. 3 in 247Sports' national recruiting rankings, but the Buckeyes still hope to add at many positions before National Signing Day in December. 

Dozens of recruits will soon flock to Columbus for their official visits, but before that happens, we take a look at where Ohio State has made additions so far in 2026 and what areas the Buckeyes can still add to. 

Quarterback

Commits: None

Potential targets: This summer should be interesting

Breakdown: It's uncertain if even Ohio State knows what signal caller it wants to pursue yet for the 2026 class. But we'd bet that plenty of quarterbacks in the 2026 class will be at OSU's recruiting camps this June, where Ryan Day and Billy Fessler will have ample opportunity to watch potential gunslingers in action. One name I'd keep an eye on if he ends up camping is Michigan State commit Kayd Coffman, who was the MVP of the Under Armour Next camp in Ohio this spring and has had brief dialogue with OSU.

Running back

Commits: None

Potential targets: Favour AkihSavion Hiter, Jae LamarDerrek CooperCarsyn Baker

Breakdown: Of all the running back targets listed above, Akih might be the most likely to end up a Buckeye. The in-state product made four visits to Columbus in the spring and will be at OSU for an official visit with a June decision likely approaching. Beyond that, Hiter, Baker and Cooper have officials scheduled with the Buckeyes, so the second running back might come from that trio if indeed Akih ends up at OSU.

Wide receiver

Commits: Chris Henry Jr., Jaeden RickettsBrock Boyd, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt

Potential targets: Jalen Lott

Breakdown: With four wide receivers committed to Ohio State already, Brian Hartline can call this class a wrap if he so chooses. Still, if a top-tier talent like Lott or someone similar wanted in to the Buckeyes' 2026 class, you'd have to think they'd find some room.

Tight end

Commits: Corbyn Fordham

Potential targets: Mack Sutter, Mark Bowman

Breakdown: Keenan Bailey already has a highly touted tight end committed for 2026 with Fordham in the fold. But the Buckeyes will take another tight end if it's a player the caliber of Sutter or Bowman, both of whom could be game-changers at the collegiate level. Sutter has an official visit scheduled with OSU and Bowman recently put the Buckeyes in his top seven schools, so we'll see what developments occur over the next few weeks.

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Offensive line

Commits: Maxwell Riley, Sam Greer, Tucker Smith

Potential targets: Micah Champ SmithFelix Ojo, Aaron ThomasDarius Gray, Drew EversChancellor CampbellJ.B. ShabazzSamuel Roseborough, Da'Ron ParksEkene Ogboko

Breakdown: Tyler Bowen got off on the right foot with Ohio State fans by landing two key Ohio offensive linemen and adding a third intriguing developmental piece. Now, he'll try to pull off what OSU has struggled to accomplish in past recruiting cycles: Land a big out-of-state fish. Smith, Ojo, Gray, Evers and Roseborough would all apply to that category, and each could take an official visit to Columbus this summer. Landing Ojo would be a major win for the Buckeyes, but they'll have staunch competition from Texas for the No. 2 offensive tackle in the country.

Defensive line

Commits: None

Potential targets: Jake Kreul, Luke WafleLandon BarnesAiden Harris, Andrew Harris, Deuce Geralds, Carter Luckie, Preston CareyKevin Ford Jr.Jamir PerezKeysaun EleazerCarter Meadows, Lamar Brown, PJ Dean, Tyson BaconJackson FordDamari Simeon

Breakdown: Defensive line is arguably one of the biggest needs for Ohio State this class, but the good news is Larry Johnson should have no shortage of options to choose from. Wafle, Geralds, Perez and Dean all seem to have some momentum with OSU at the moment, and the Buckeyes are still firmly in the running for others mentioned above. Like Bowen, Johnson should be busy this summer as he'll have quite a bit of official visitors on campus. Of note, OSu offered Lamar Brown on Friday, the No. 1 defensive tackle in the 2026 class. He has a commitment date set for July 4, so things would have to move pretty quickly there, but the Buckeyes are still trying to go big game hunting at this position.

Linebacker

Commits: CJ Sanna

Potential targets: Cincere Johnson, Tyler Atkinson, Xavier Griffin

Breakdown: Between Atkinson and Griffin, James Laurinaitis is taking a swing at landing the No. 1 and No. 2 linebackers in the 2026 class this summer. Atkinson has been on the Buckeyes' radar since he was an eighth grader, while Griffin just came back on the market following his decommitment from USC. Of course, Johnson is a huge priority to keep in state as well and is one of the best linebackers in the class.

Cornerback

Commits: Jakob Weatherspoon, Jordan Thomas

Potential targets: Justice Fitzpatrick, Nascar McCoyDanny Odem

Breakdown: Tim Walton added another premier cornerback to his 2026 class with the commitment of Thomas, but the Buckeyes could still add one more player here. Fitzpatrick seems to be the preferred corner of choice. McCoy could play either safety or corner at OSU. Odem was just offered by Walton this week, so we'll see where the relationship goes from here.

Safety

Commits: Blaine Bradford, Simeon Caldwell

Potential Targets: Bralan Womack, Donovan Webb

Breakdown: By far and away the biggest remaining priority at safety is landing Womack, the top-rated safety in the 2026 class. If OSU can land Bradford, Caldwell and Womack, Walton and Matt Guerrieri should take a bow. There's still some crucial visits coming up in his recruitment, but the Buckeyes appear to be in the driver's seat for him at the moment. If they can't land Womack, someone like Webb makes a lot of sense as a third piece for the class.

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