Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.
A two-way player at times during his high school career at Bergen Catholic, Jordan Thomas certainly has the skill set to be a playmaker. His frame at 6-1, 189 pounds, paired with an incredible 78-inch wingspan, gives him the type of size that can't be taught.
Jordan Thomas
- Size: 6-1/189
- Position: CB
- School: Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey)
- 247 Sports Composite: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #103 (#12 CB)
Background
The moment Thomas received his Ohio State offer in April 2024, he became a top priority for the Buckeyes.
“It felt amazing,” he said as he recalled his Ohio State offer. “I felt very thankful and honored to be blessed with the opportunity to play at The Ohio State University. I would say the development is the most appealing part of potentially playing at OSU.”
He and Tim Walton talked so much that Thomas called the assistant coach "his guy."
After multiple visits to Columbus, Thomas committed to Ohio State on May 12, 2025, over the likes of Michigan and Notre Dame.
Thomas was selected as a MaxPreps sophomore second-team All-American in 2023 after garnering 51 tackles, five pass breakups, four interceptions and one fumble recovery. He played both cornerback and wide receiver that season.
As a junior, he played a key role in Bergen Catholic's run to its fourth straight NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship, totaling 52 tackles, nine pass breakups, one interception and a forced fumble.
Notre Dame 2026 class four-star CB target Jordan Thomas from Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic comes up with a big tackle and knocks the ball out.
— Kyle Kelly (@ByKyleKelly) September 6, 2024
The No. 3 junior in New Jersey is a playmaker.
: https://t.co/n3GXzRbs4p pic.twitter.com/arIZPbduY8
In his final high school season, Thomas notched 58 tackles (two for loss), four pass breakups, three interceptions, a forced fumble and one fumble recovery as a senior. He showcased his versatility by switching between safety and cornerback at times. Thomas concluded his high school career participating in the Navy All-American Bowl.
Jordan Thomas GOES OFF on Saturday afternoon
— Jersey Sports Zone (@JSZ_Sports) October 18, 2025
The Ohio State commit and @AABonNBC All-American delivered a few hit sticks and snagged two INT's in Bergen Catholic's 42-7 win over Delbarton. We'll have FULL coverage later today!@jordanthomas_21 | @BergenCathFBall pic.twitter.com/qZ87idHMJF
Navy All-American Bowl Week Top Performers
— Rivals (@Rivals) January 10, 2026
(via @CharlesPower and @CodyBellaire)
Read: https://t.co/jeOdTJE8mU pic.twitter.com/uEYNhptOQ8
Scouting Report
Thomas has a strong skill set in both coverage and run defense, giving him the potential to play as a freshman. Add in his college-ready size at 6-1 and 189 pounds, and the cornerback could be a contributor early on, especially on special teams.
More technically sound than the majority of cornerbacks his age, Thomas profiles as an outside cornerback with the talent to be a future starter for the Buckeyes.
“I am a versatile athlete that understands the game and can make game-changing plays when the opportunity is provided,” Thomas said, describing his on-field game. “I can play all types of coverages and can shut down my side of the field as well as anyone who lines up against me in man coverage.”
Part of that is due to his 78-inch wingspan that we previously discussed. He uses his size, length and hands effectively at the point of the attack, and times his jumps well in coverage, whether it's picking off an interception or just deflecting a pass for an incompletion.
Thomas has a nose for the football whether he’s in pass coverage or finding a ballcarrier in front of him, as he trusts his eyes and uses his instincts and football IQ to make a play wherever it is needed.
Depth Chart Outlook
With Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Devin Sanchez solidifying Ohio State’s two outside cornerback starting spots heading into 2026, Thomas is competing with Georgia transfer Dominick Kelly, Alabama transfer Cam Calhoun and fellow freshman Jay Timmons for a backup spot on the two-deep
Thomas could very well get some legitimate playing time as a freshman given his size and skill set, but his first chance to compete for a starting job won’t come until at least 2027. That said, expect to see Thomas on special teams early on and as a potential rotational cornerback as an underclassman while he continues to develop his game.
Player Comparison: Eli Apple
Better Know A Buckeye
After redshirting his first season at Ohio State in 2013, Apple really made a name for himself beginning in 2014.
The 6-1, 200-pound cornerback, who’s also from New Jersey, had 53 tackles (5.5 for loss), three interceptions, 10 pass breakups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Ohio State’s 2014 national championship team. In his third season in Columbus, Apple totaled 33 tackles (two for loss), an interception, eight pass breakups and a fumble recovery as a redshirt sophomore.
Apple then declared for the NFL draft and was the 10th overall pick by the New York Giants in 2016. In 10 NFL seasons, Apple has recorded 384 tackles (71 for loss), six interceptions and 61 pass breakups.
While Thomas might not redshirt given his potential playmaking ability on special teams, his size, length, physicality and nose for the football compare nicely to Apple.
