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.
In one of the latest recruitments of the cycle, Ohio State was a late entrant in Khmari Bing's recruitment, but the process moved quickly once the Buckeyes made their push, despite him being committed elsewhere at the time.
Khmari Bing
- Size: 5-11/182
- Position: S
- School: St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland)
- 247 Sports Composite: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #369 (#30 S)
Background
Bing had been committed to Maryland since August 2024, but when he received an Ohio State offer on Sept. 16, 2025, his recruitment immediately changed.
While Bing was only ranked as a three-star prospect at the time, he made a name for himself early in his senior season at St. Frances Academy, returning an interception for a touchdown in a nationally televised game against Chaminade-Madonna on ESPN.
Maryland DB commit Khmari Bing to the House!
— Cʜᴜᴄᴋ ᴅᴏᴜɢʟᴀs ✪ (@ChuckDouglas_) August 24, 2025
Terps Class of '26 commit makes a house call on national TV with the Pick 6.. @SFAfootball_MD @BrowardShowcase @TerpsFootball #SFA2UMD @KhmariBpic.twitter.com/2XKd0VoTYi
Three weeks later, he took an official visit to Columbus for the game against Minnesota.
“Ohio State definitely made a big move with this visit,” Bing told 247Sports. “The love they showed and the opportunities there really opened my eyes. They're, for sure, one of the schools standing out to me now.“
Less than two weeks after that visit, he flipped his commitment from Maryland to the Buckeyes.
Bing began his prep career at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School before transferring to national powerhouse St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. He established himself on the recruiting trail beginning his junior year, when Bing had 56 tackles and 19 pass breakups. His senior season was cut short due to a season-ending injury.
2026 DB Khmari Bing with the open-field tackle for St. Frances Academy https://t.co/SVjZXxVQB3 @Preps_247 @KhmariB pic.twitter.com/855Am5owbJ
— EdOBrienCFB (@EdOBrienCFB) October 13, 2025
During his time at St. Frances Academy, Bing played both safety and nickel cornerback, showcasing his versatility and playmaking ability at multiple positions in the secondary.
Scouting Report
Bing has great range as a deep safety, as he continuously made plays in coverage in high school and was able to use his speed to catch up to offensive players that may have gotten past the secondary.
He has an eye for the football, length and open-field tackling ability to make plays near the line of scrimmage as a box safety and nickel cornerback. While the game of football is fast, Bing's ability to slow it down and put himself in position to make a play is a trait that's tough to teach. His elite ball skills, anticipation and instincts allow him to trust what he sees to make a play, no matter where he is on the field.
Bing still needs to develop more physically before he’ll be ready to play a major role for the Buckeyes, but he has plenty of opportunity to do so, starting his Ohio State career at just 17 years old.
Depth Chart Outlook
While Bing played all over the secondary in high school, he is projected to be a safety at Ohio State.
Jaylen McClain, Terry Moore, Leroy Roker III and fellow freshman Blaine Bradford will likely take up the two-deep at the deep safety positions this season. Bing is competing for position behind them with fellow freshmen Simeon Caldwell and Kaden Gebhardt and redshirt freshman Deshawn Stewart, among others.
As McClain is a candidate to enter the 2027 NFL draft while Moore is a fifth-year senior, Bing could contend for legitimate playing time entering his second season as a Buckeye in 2027 if he develops well and impresses in practice as a freshman.
Better Know A Buckeye
Player Comparison: Jaylen McClain
A four-star prospect and the No. 36 safety in the 2024 class, McClain immediately began to prove that he was much better than that the moment he became a Buckeye.
Playing 106 snaps behind Lathan Ransom, including one start, the 6-foot, 201-pounder recorded 15 tackles (one for loss) and one pass breakup as a freshman. In his first season as a starter next to Caleb Downs in 2025, McClain notched 53 tackles and three pass deflections.
Through two seasons at Ohio State, McClain has showcased his versatility, nose for the ball and ability to jump routes in the secondary while making plays in the open field. Entering his junior season, McClain is expected to be one of college football’s best safeties in 2026.
Bing, who is 5-11 and 182 pounds, has a comparable skill set to McClain and has the potential to significantly outperform his recruiting ranking, just as McClain has.
