We’re officially less than 48 hours from kickoff.
Ohio State finally gets its title defense campaign underway at noon on Saturday with a clash against No. 3 Texas. It’s shaping up to be the biggest recruiting weekend of the year, with the expected visitor list reaching triple digits.
We’ll have a full weekend visitor preview go live on Friday (which is why this Hurry-Up is running on a Thursday), but for now, two important commits in the 2026 class have confirmed they’ll be among those in attendance. Linebacker Cincere Johnson and safety Blaine Bradford announced this week they’ll be in Ohio Stadium on Saturday, welcome news in particular on Bradford’s end as LSU continues to pursue the five-star safety though he publicly maintains he’s locked in with the Buckeyes.
Cant wait to be back in the Shoe this weekend!! OH-IO pic.twitter.com/3AeuZ8XLlk
— Cincere Johnson 4 (@JCincere8) August 27, 2025
Both Bradford and Johnson are top-55 prospects in the 247Sports’ 2026 composite and are big pieces for the Buckeyes’ defense in future seasons.
“Ryan Day, James Laurinaitis and just the brotherhood and relationships that are going on down in Columbus,” Johnson told Eleven Warriors in May of what stands out to him the most about Ohio State. “The transfer portal just happened and Ohio State is one of the schools that just shows that brotherhood, that stands out to me every time.
“I’ve been able to see how things are run this spring coming off a national championship. They’re not getting too lax. The addition of coach (Matt) Patricia also shows the things that he brings to the table and the way Ohio State is going to be run this year.”
Kelsey Adams taking first visit to Ohio State this week
In May, top-60 prospect Kelsey Adams received an offer from OSU offensive line coach Tyler Bowen. This week, he’ll make his first visit to Columbus in his recruitment.
He’s considered the No. 60 player and the No. 7 offensive tackle in the 2027 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
The 6-foot-5, 293-pound Georgia standout holds 27 Division I offers, including Alabama, Arkansas, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA and Vanderbilt.
Toledo commit Preston Dazey making a trip to OSU next week
Perhaps Ohio State isn’t done looking at offensive linemen for 2026 quite yet. Per 247Sports, Ohio prospect and Toledo commit Preston Dazey will be at the Buckeyes’ week two contest against Grambling State Sept. 6. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Dazey will also visit Indiana this weekend.
Dazey is a three-star prospect and considered the No. 1,334 player and No. 111 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class. The Massillon product has garnered 20 Division I offers, all of which are at the Group of Five and FCS level.
Joseph Buchanan visiting Columbus Oct. 4
Earlier this week, four-star 2027 defensive lineman Joseph Buchanan picked up an offer from the Buckeyes. A few days later, he’s already arranged a visit to Columbus. The Maryland product will visit Ohio State for its game against Minnesota on Oct. 4.
I will be at Ohio State University on October 4th! pic.twitter.com/an1GlmaU28
— Joseph "Buc" Buchanan III 4 (@sackchasin_buc) August 26, 2025
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Buchanan is considered the No. 221 prospect and the No. 23 defensive lineman in the 2027 cycle and has earned 22 Division I offers.
Last season, Buchanan recorded 34 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and two fumble recoveries.
