LGHL An in-depth look at why Jaeden Ricketts became Ohio State’s second 2026 commit
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An in-depth look at why Jaeden Ricketts became Ohio State’s second 2026 commit
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Jaeden Ricketts | 247Sports
Jaeden Ricketts brings the Buckeyes their second receiver commit in the 2026 class early on.
There should be no debate at this point, Brian Hartline is the best wide receivers coach in college football. Elite at all he does, Ohio State has benefitted mightily from both his on and off-field work during his tenure, and there are no signs of him slowing down. Whether it’s in development, recruiting, or relationships with players, Hartline has been a near-perfect addition to the Buckeyes’ staff.
Regardless of year, Hartline has brought in elite recruit after elite recruit and 2024 has been proof of his continued success as true freshman Jeremiah Smith is largely thought to be the best at his position across college football, despite being in just his first season. Obviously, Smith is an elite talent, so it is easier to get great production from players of his caliber, but Hartline has proven that he can significantly raise the level of play no matter where a player begins. He has similarly worked wonders with top-tier recruits and diamonds in the rough alike.
Looking at the under-the-radar recruits that he’s been able to land too, you see it’s not just the five-star caliber players he’s successful with. The fact that Chris Olave was a three-star prospect is probably the easiest example to point to, but considering that Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s ranking rose hundreds of spots when he committed to Ohio State also shows that analysts understand that when Hartline sees someone that he likes, it’s a pretty good bet that they have something special.
Having played at the highest level, Hartline knows what to look for in players and that’s evident in practically every guy that he’s brought into the program. Simply put, when you see a receiver get an offer from the Buckeyes, it’s for a reason and comes from the highest of evaluations.
It’s not uncommon for the Buckeyes to focus all of their recruiting attention on the current cycle before shifting gears to future classes, and that’s primarily been the case between the 2025 and 2026 classes. Wanting to put the finishing touches on their current class, next year’s crop of talent will soon be the top priority for Mark Pantoni and the entire OSU program. As of now, Ohio State has just two commits in the fold, and, unsurprisingly, both are receivers.
Chris Henry Jr. was the first member of the class after he committed way back in July 2023, meaning that Ohio State once again has the top player at the WR position per the 247Sports Composite grades. A feat this program is used to during the Hartline Era, the Buckeyes also now have in-state product Jaeden Ricketts locked in after he committed about two weeks ago.
The No. 425 player nationally and the 66th best receiver in 2026 per the 247Sports Composites, Ricketts fits that mold of an under-the-radar prospect that Hartline loves that I mentioned earlier. Knowing the Buckeyes position coach’s evaluation process, you can throw the rankings out and trust that if he has an offer from the Buckeyes he more than deserves it.
A 6-foot, 190-pound athlete out of Watkins Memorial, his offer list was thin before committing to OSU, including Illinois and a majority of the MAC schools. While that may not live up to the lists of the guys that Ohio State has typically brought in, the really important offer for Jaeden has been accepted and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see him have the kind of career you look back on and realize that Hartline was right long before his coaching colleagues and industry analysts.
When looking at his film, Ricketts impresses in multiple aspects. The idea of having a nearly 200-pound athlete with the speed and ball skills that Jaeden has with the ability to line up in the slot allows for an offense to create automatic mismatches solely based on alignment because of who he is going against in coverage. Additionally, seeing him return kicks, his understanding of space immediately catches your attention.
From a more specific perspective, it’s clear that his toolbox is continually being built early. Routes-wise, Ricketts does a really solid job for a high school junior in knowing what it means to stem routes in a way that will set him up with more open windows. His quickness at the line against press coverage is also polished. He keeps his hands and feet active creating as much possible separation and avoiding the contact a defensive back uses to slow the route down.
More schematic things jump off the screen when watching him play as well, but the most impressive tools he has in his belt include being able to attack multiple coverages, to increase his likelihood of being the open man simply based on how he gets in and out of breaks, and how quickly he comes back to the ball to avoiding coverage.
Additionally, once the ball is caught, he’s not easy to bring down, which is a coach’s dream, knowing yards after the catch are often what makes a receiver that much more effective on the field.
Overall, I like Jaeden’s game for all he brings to the table. Knowing there’s still a full season ahead of him to continue improving has to excite Hartline. Already a player who can break a big play at any moment, the next part of his game that he will need to work on is his perimeter blocking. If he can show an improvement there, as well from a physical standpoint, Ohio State will once again have a playmaker that not only can stretch the defense but also make them pay on the edge.
As you look at this commitment, throw the rankings out. Jaeden Ricketts is a major get for the Buckeyes and the fact that he is someone who Hartline identified as a “take” this in the cycle should be enough to satisfy even the most skeptical of fans. Hartline’s track record speaks for itself and you should expect his evaluation prowess to continue with Ricketts.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Jaeden Ricketts | 247Sports
Jaeden Ricketts brings the Buckeyes their second receiver commit in the 2026 class early on.
There should be no debate at this point, Brian Hartline is the best wide receivers coach in college football. Elite at all he does, Ohio State has benefitted mightily from both his on and off-field work during his tenure, and there are no signs of him slowing down. Whether it’s in development, recruiting, or relationships with players, Hartline has been a near-perfect addition to the Buckeyes’ staff.
Regardless of year, Hartline has brought in elite recruit after elite recruit and 2024 has been proof of his continued success as true freshman Jeremiah Smith is largely thought to be the best at his position across college football, despite being in just his first season. Obviously, Smith is an elite talent, so it is easier to get great production from players of his caliber, but Hartline has proven that he can significantly raise the level of play no matter where a player begins. He has similarly worked wonders with top-tier recruits and diamonds in the rough alike.
Looking at the under-the-radar recruits that he’s been able to land too, you see it’s not just the five-star caliber players he’s successful with. The fact that Chris Olave was a three-star prospect is probably the easiest example to point to, but considering that Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s ranking rose hundreds of spots when he committed to Ohio State also shows that analysts understand that when Hartline sees someone that he likes, it’s a pretty good bet that they have something special.
Having played at the highest level, Hartline knows what to look for in players and that’s evident in practically every guy that he’s brought into the program. Simply put, when you see a receiver get an offer from the Buckeyes, it’s for a reason and comes from the highest of evaluations.
2026’s position room taking shape early on
It’s not uncommon for the Buckeyes to focus all of their recruiting attention on the current cycle before shifting gears to future classes, and that’s primarily been the case between the 2025 and 2026 classes. Wanting to put the finishing touches on their current class, next year’s crop of talent will soon be the top priority for Mark Pantoni and the entire OSU program. As of now, Ohio State has just two commits in the fold, and, unsurprisingly, both are receivers.
Chris Henry Jr. was the first member of the class after he committed way back in July 2023, meaning that Ohio State once again has the top player at the WR position per the 247Sports Composite grades. A feat this program is used to during the Hartline Era, the Buckeyes also now have in-state product Jaeden Ricketts locked in after he committed about two weeks ago.
The No. 425 player nationally and the 66th best receiver in 2026 per the 247Sports Composites, Ricketts fits that mold of an under-the-radar prospect that Hartline loves that I mentioned earlier. Knowing the Buckeyes position coach’s evaluation process, you can throw the rankings out and trust that if he has an offer from the Buckeyes he more than deserves it.
A 6-foot, 190-pound athlete out of Watkins Memorial, his offer list was thin before committing to OSU, including Illinois and a majority of the MAC schools. While that may not live up to the lists of the guys that Ohio State has typically brought in, the really important offer for Jaeden has been accepted and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see him have the kind of career you look back on and realize that Hartline was right long before his coaching colleagues and industry analysts.
Looking at the intangibles for Ricketts
When looking at his film, Ricketts impresses in multiple aspects. The idea of having a nearly 200-pound athlete with the speed and ball skills that Jaeden has with the ability to line up in the slot allows for an offense to create automatic mismatches solely based on alignment because of who he is going against in coverage. Additionally, seeing him return kicks, his understanding of space immediately catches your attention.
From a more specific perspective, it’s clear that his toolbox is continually being built early. Routes-wise, Ricketts does a really solid job for a high school junior in knowing what it means to stem routes in a way that will set him up with more open windows. His quickness at the line against press coverage is also polished. He keeps his hands and feet active creating as much possible separation and avoiding the contact a defensive back uses to slow the route down.
More schematic things jump off the screen when watching him play as well, but the most impressive tools he has in his belt include being able to attack multiple coverages, to increase his likelihood of being the open man simply based on how he gets in and out of breaks, and how quickly he comes back to the ball to avoiding coverage.
Additionally, once the ball is caught, he’s not easy to bring down, which is a coach’s dream, knowing yards after the catch are often what makes a receiver that much more effective on the field.
Overall, I like Jaeden’s game for all he brings to the table. Knowing there’s still a full season ahead of him to continue improving has to excite Hartline. Already a player who can break a big play at any moment, the next part of his game that he will need to work on is his perimeter blocking. If he can show an improvement there, as well from a physical standpoint, Ohio State will once again have a playmaker that not only can stretch the defense but also make them pay on the edge.
As you look at this commitment, throw the rankings out. Jaeden Ricketts is a major get for the Buckeyes and the fact that he is someone who Hartline identified as a “take” this in the cycle should be enough to satisfy even the most skeptical of fans. Hartline’s track record speaks for itself and you should expect his evaluation prowess to continue with Ricketts.
Continue reading...
