Fellow BP'ers:
So we're at the time of year where we can look back at the 2026 class and see how it fits into the program going forward. The Portal has made things more interesting, but I will focus solely on the HS class. But predictions on how the HSers fit will only get more difficult going forward, because you have to know in the back of your mind that OSU could lose almost half of its class to the Portal, and this class could look WAY different even next year. But as of now, there are 28 new Buckeyes that we hope have success and benefit the team.
With that out of the way, here we go:
General Thoughts
2026 shows a very balanced class from top to bottom. And though I do think there were some reaches to keep numbers at particular positions because I don't think the coaches knew how active the Portal would be. Yet again, a WR is the highest rated recruit, but the highest ranked recruits are also split among DB, LB, OL and DL. Day seemed to have set a level of competition among his coaches to go out and get the best talent possible. This class seems to have been a perfect compliment to the roster and how Day wants it constructed for the future. The hardest thing about these lists is narrowing down each category to one name, because multiple names could be used for almost every category(CHjr could be named in at least 3 for example).
Earliest Impact
Chris Henry Jr.- OSU loses 2 young prospects to the Portal, and it doesn't seem like they panicked for one second. And I think that's due to they knew what they had incoming with CHjr. A tall, uber athletic, tough WR who also has the leaping ability of a top end basketball player. He on one side and JJ on the other is an absolute nightmare for opposing CBs, and DCs.
Most Star Potential
Khary Wilder- Wilder can be next in line of superstar DEs from OSU. He came from a great HS program, and he showed sheer dominance through the HS season but also in every camp. He has shown to be unblockable at times, and I could see him getting PT very early as a true frosh.
Most Intriguing
Legend Bey- Will he be a RB, will he be a WR? How many ways can Day and his OC find ways to get Bey the ball in an advantageous way for the offense. But 1 thing is for sure, Bey is a player that you have to gameplan for, and he has gamebreaking speed that can put 6 on the board in a blink of an eye.
Biggest Reach
Luke Fahey- Fahey is nice recruit, and I know Day wants a QB in every class. And whomever they got in the '26 class I probably would've given this distinction. He's sandwiched between TSC and Edmunds, 2 recruits that were/are at the top of their respective classes. He'll provide some solid depth, but I don't see him being counted on anytime soon if all QBs are healthy.
Sleeper
Brock Boyd- I'm not sure how he didn't get ranked higher by season's end. He was super productive at one of the best HS in TX, in the biggest division in the state. He put up comparable numbers to JSN, who ended up being a 5star in the same division in TX. He could be a steal of the class, and I hope Hankton is able to have a WR rotation unlike Hartline, so we can see Boyd sooner rather than later.
Biggest Surprise Commitment
Braxton Rembert- flipping a Wake Forest commit will always be a surprise, especially when that was his only offer. What he could become is what makes him so intriguing. A 6'5 200lbs LB, but could become a 6'5 230-240lbs LB makes everyone salivate and dream of Arvell Reese.
The Ones Who Got Away
Kayden Dixon- Wyatt, Derrek Cooper, Carsyn Baker, Kelvin Obot, Kevin Brown, Micah Smith, Luke Wafle, Felix Ojo, Jake Kreul, KJ Ford, Deuce Geralds, Tyler Atkinson, Ja'Dyn Williams, Elbert Hill, CJ Bronough, Victor Singleton, Bralan Womack, Jett Washington, Aaron Gregory and Jackson Ford
I'm sure I missed a few guys, but everyone on this list OSU either led for at one time or was committed to OSU. All would've been welcome additions, but they also would've altered the class as well. And that is a ton of talent, that slipped away from OSU, but the amount of money they would've had to dish out would've been astronomical.
What This Class Lacks
Several more high end trench talent on both sides of the ball. Not saying that Bowen or LJsr dropped the ball, but NIL has changed the game, to where just walking into a school or living room wearing the block O on your chest moves the needle on its own.
2026 Outlook
Hartline's last class he ended by landing one of his biggest signees of his tenure, and Day was able to keep him in the end. Several 11th hour highly ranked commits OSU was able to end with, which they ended up being even better than the guys they replaced. There are multiple guys who could be foundational talents for the team in a few years(assuming they remain Buckeyes). Players like: CHjr, Greer, Wilder, Cincere Johnson, Jordan Thomas, Bradford and Ruffin could be guys who become All B1G and/or All Americans at OSU, and there are several others who could see early playing time. With the way that CFB is going, they need to either play the freshman as soon as possible, or risk losing them after 1 year. And even playing them won't guarantee they stay, but it will help the chances. I hope I did almost as good of a job as when @RB07OSU does the annual breakdown. I look forward to everyone else's thoughts on the class
So we're at the time of year where we can look back at the 2026 class and see how it fits into the program going forward. The Portal has made things more interesting, but I will focus solely on the HS class. But predictions on how the HSers fit will only get more difficult going forward, because you have to know in the back of your mind that OSU could lose almost half of its class to the Portal, and this class could look WAY different even next year. But as of now, there are 28 new Buckeyes that we hope have success and benefit the team.
With that out of the way, here we go:
General Thoughts
2026 shows a very balanced class from top to bottom. And though I do think there were some reaches to keep numbers at particular positions because I don't think the coaches knew how active the Portal would be. Yet again, a WR is the highest rated recruit, but the highest ranked recruits are also split among DB, LB, OL and DL. Day seemed to have set a level of competition among his coaches to go out and get the best talent possible. This class seems to have been a perfect compliment to the roster and how Day wants it constructed for the future. The hardest thing about these lists is narrowing down each category to one name, because multiple names could be used for almost every category(CHjr could be named in at least 3 for example).
Earliest Impact
Chris Henry Jr.- OSU loses 2 young prospects to the Portal, and it doesn't seem like they panicked for one second. And I think that's due to they knew what they had incoming with CHjr. A tall, uber athletic, tough WR who also has the leaping ability of a top end basketball player. He on one side and JJ on the other is an absolute nightmare for opposing CBs, and DCs.
Most Star Potential
Khary Wilder- Wilder can be next in line of superstar DEs from OSU. He came from a great HS program, and he showed sheer dominance through the HS season but also in every camp. He has shown to be unblockable at times, and I could see him getting PT very early as a true frosh.
Most Intriguing
Legend Bey- Will he be a RB, will he be a WR? How many ways can Day and his OC find ways to get Bey the ball in an advantageous way for the offense. But 1 thing is for sure, Bey is a player that you have to gameplan for, and he has gamebreaking speed that can put 6 on the board in a blink of an eye.
Biggest Reach
Luke Fahey- Fahey is nice recruit, and I know Day wants a QB in every class. And whomever they got in the '26 class I probably would've given this distinction. He's sandwiched between TSC and Edmunds, 2 recruits that were/are at the top of their respective classes. He'll provide some solid depth, but I don't see him being counted on anytime soon if all QBs are healthy.
Sleeper
Brock Boyd- I'm not sure how he didn't get ranked higher by season's end. He was super productive at one of the best HS in TX, in the biggest division in the state. He put up comparable numbers to JSN, who ended up being a 5star in the same division in TX. He could be a steal of the class, and I hope Hankton is able to have a WR rotation unlike Hartline, so we can see Boyd sooner rather than later.
Biggest Surprise Commitment
Braxton Rembert- flipping a Wake Forest commit will always be a surprise, especially when that was his only offer. What he could become is what makes him so intriguing. A 6'5 200lbs LB, but could become a 6'5 230-240lbs LB makes everyone salivate and dream of Arvell Reese.
The Ones Who Got Away
Kayden Dixon- Wyatt, Derrek Cooper, Carsyn Baker, Kelvin Obot, Kevin Brown, Micah Smith, Luke Wafle, Felix Ojo, Jake Kreul, KJ Ford, Deuce Geralds, Tyler Atkinson, Ja'Dyn Williams, Elbert Hill, CJ Bronough, Victor Singleton, Bralan Womack, Jett Washington, Aaron Gregory and Jackson Ford
I'm sure I missed a few guys, but everyone on this list OSU either led for at one time or was committed to OSU. All would've been welcome additions, but they also would've altered the class as well. And that is a ton of talent, that slipped away from OSU, but the amount of money they would've had to dish out would've been astronomical.
What This Class Lacks
Several more high end trench talent on both sides of the ball. Not saying that Bowen or LJsr dropped the ball, but NIL has changed the game, to where just walking into a school or living room wearing the block O on your chest moves the needle on its own.
2026 Outlook
Hartline's last class he ended by landing one of his biggest signees of his tenure, and Day was able to keep him in the end. Several 11th hour highly ranked commits OSU was able to end with, which they ended up being even better than the guys they replaced. There are multiple guys who could be foundational talents for the team in a few years(assuming they remain Buckeyes). Players like: CHjr, Greer, Wilder, Cincere Johnson, Jordan Thomas, Bradford and Ruffin could be guys who become All B1G and/or All Americans at OSU, and there are several others who could see early playing time. With the way that CFB is going, they need to either play the freshman as soon as possible, or risk losing them after 1 year. And even playing them won't guarantee they stay, but it will help the chances. I hope I did almost as good of a job as when @RB07OSU does the annual breakdown. I look forward to everyone else's thoughts on the class