Brian Hartline has amassed another talented wide receiver class for the 2026 cycle.
It’s headlined by Chris Henry Jr., who showcased why he’s a five-star prospect in his first game since suffering a season-ending injury last season. OSU is equally excited about Henry’s high school teammate, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. Brock Boyd might be one of the more underrated players in Texas. Jerquaden Guilford impressed enough scouts that he went from a three-star to a four-star prospect this summer.
But Ohio product Jaeden Ricketts is equally eager to make a name for himself at Ohio State and showcased in his season opener why Hartline accepted his commitment early in the 2026 class.
In the first half of Watkins Memorial’s eventual 31-23 loss to Worthington Kilbourne, Ricketts took an end-around 15 yards for his team’s first score of the night, highlighting his game-changing speed. He also played cornerback for his team and recorded a couple of tackles on the evening.
Ricketts didn’t play much in the second half due to cramps, but he expects more polished performances from himself and his team as the season progresses. He also has high expectations for himself in his first year at Ohio State.
“Going up to work with Hartline, he’s going to turn me into a beast,” Ricketts told Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope on Friday. “You guys are gonna see it.”
Ricketts still relishes his commitment to Ohio State, saying the school feels like home for him. He said he’ll be at the Buckeyes’ season opener against Texas on Saturday.
“I’m trying to make every game,” Ricketts said.
When Ricketts steps foot on campus, he said fans will instantly notice his speed but also how much pride he takes in his blocking. He doesn’t take Ohio State’s past success of developing wide receivers for granted and hopes to blossom into the next great wideout of Zone 6.
“It’s really special to me,” Ricketts said. “It makes me feel like all this work I’ve put in, it’s paid off.”
OSU offers Jamar Thompson
Larry Johnson has entered the recruitment of one of the more talented defensive tackles in the 2027 class. Johnson offered four-star Jamar Thompson on Sunday, the No. 114 prospect and the No. 10 defensive lineman in the 2027 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Woww!!!! Extremely!!!! Blessed to receive an offer from OHIO STATE!!! #ALLGLORYTOGOD @CoachDylanPotts@R2X_Rushmen1 @CoachM_Patrick @JohnGarcia_Jr @newerac2 @JonSantucci @GabyUrrutia247@Andrew_Ivins @JerryRecruiting@FlaHSFootbal @fbscout_florida @EraPrep @On3sports @Rivals pic.twitter.com/Er9S9cWmfB
— JAMAR THOMPSON (@JAMARTHOMP2027) August 24, 2025
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound prospect holds 25 Division I offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Missouri, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Syracuse, Texas, UCLA and West Virginia.
In his sophomore season, Thompson recorded 66 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Favour Akih visiting OSU this weekend
Count Ohio State’s 2026 running back commit among the many notable prospects who will be at OSU’s season opener against Texas on Saturday. Delaware product Favour Akih announced Monday he’ll be at Ohio Stadium for the heavyweight clash and considering he appeared in Columbus four times during the spring, it would almost be a shock if he wasn’t there.
Akih’s senior season got off to an unfortunate start as he suffered a high ankle sprain on the first play of Hayes’ eventual 28-7 loss to Buckeye Valley on Friday. But he told 247Sports he expects to “be back soon.”
Akih will be one of many OSU commits attending the season opener against the Longhorns and Eleven Warriors will have a full weekend visitor preview on Friday.
