Caleb Houser
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Chip Kelly plans to visit in-state QBs, top 2026 defensive back reps the OSU brand
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State continues to work hard at evaluating the 2026 quarterback class.
Ohio State has their guy in the 2025 class thanks to Ohio native, Tavien St. Clair. The No. 17 player nationally and fourth best signal caller in the class per the 247Sports Composite, St. Clair has been committed for nearly a year now and is a major part of the Buckeyes’ future at the position. Obviously one of the more important positions to land in a recruiting cycle, St. Clair’s leadership and ability to peer recruit make him that much more valuable.
Knowing they have a real dude in 2025 already locked in, it allows the coaching staff to focus more attention on the upcoming 2026 class. Ohio State has sent out several offers to 2026 quarterbacks all over the country, and as both Day and Kelly begin to sort through their top targets and options, names are going to rise to the top.
The Buckeyes under Day have recruited the quarterback position about as well as anyone, and bringing in Kelly looks to only continue that successful trend. Set to get out on the road visiting 2026 prospects as early as next week, Kelly already has a few guys in mind from right inside Ohio’s borders.
Plans to see Ashland native Nathan Bernhard, the No. 91 player nationally and seventh best quarterback in the 2026 cycle per the 247Sports Composite does not yet hold an Ohio State offer, but is certainly on their radar. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Bernhard has the stature of a true drop-back quarterback. While Kelly’s scheme includes mobility from the position, Bernhard is garnering some serious attention.
With nearly double-digit offers to his name and from schools such as Louisville, Indiana, Michigan State, and Penn State, this is another high-profile athlete Ohio is developing. A great sign for the state and for the Buckeyes, having these caliber of quarterbacks right in their backyard helps ensure that there’s always going to be strong in-state options worth taking a close look at.
Kelly will also stop in to see Olentangy Orange product Levi Davis. A 5-foot-11, 175 pound athlete, Davis has offers from several MAC schools such as Bowling Green, Miami, UMass, and Toledo to his name early on. Another player that’s just a short trek from campus, the Buckeyes are well aware of Davis’ abilities, and taking the time to visit him shows they are impressed with his game thus far.
With still two full seasons of prep ball still to be played, Davis’ stock may continue to rise and surely this staff will pay close attention to his recruitment. Though there’s more national guys Day has shown he is after, these two Ohio products won’t be left out of the mix when it comes to talking potential options for the 2026 signal caller.
Not a bad sign at all, looking at Dorian Barney in the 2026 class shows the Buckeyes are very much in the mix for the four-star cornerback. The No. 32 player nationally and third best cornerback in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Barney has well over 30 offers to his name and from every top program in the country.
Much like the players Tim Walton has been able to lock up the last two recruiting cycles, Barney is another top tier athlete and would be a major boom for any defensive secondary. The fortunate part, Barney has already listed the Buckeyes in his top schools that he put out earlier this month. Though apparel isn’t a major sign of a recruit’s allegiance, it also doesn’t hurt to see a top prospect repping the brand.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State continues to work hard at evaluating the 2026 quarterback class.
Ohio State has their guy in the 2025 class thanks to Ohio native, Tavien St. Clair. The No. 17 player nationally and fourth best signal caller in the class per the 247Sports Composite, St. Clair has been committed for nearly a year now and is a major part of the Buckeyes’ future at the position. Obviously one of the more important positions to land in a recruiting cycle, St. Clair’s leadership and ability to peer recruit make him that much more valuable.
Knowing they have a real dude in 2025 already locked in, it allows the coaching staff to focus more attention on the upcoming 2026 class. Ohio State has sent out several offers to 2026 quarterbacks all over the country, and as both Day and Kelly begin to sort through their top targets and options, names are going to rise to the top.
The Buckeyes under Day have recruited the quarterback position about as well as anyone, and bringing in Kelly looks to only continue that successful trend. Set to get out on the road visiting 2026 prospects as early as next week, Kelly already has a few guys in mind from right inside Ohio’s borders.
Plans to see Ashland native Nathan Bernhard, the No. 91 player nationally and seventh best quarterback in the 2026 cycle per the 247Sports Composite does not yet hold an Ohio State offer, but is certainly on their radar. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Bernhard has the stature of a true drop-back quarterback. While Kelly’s scheme includes mobility from the position, Bernhard is garnering some serious attention.
With nearly double-digit offers to his name and from schools such as Louisville, Indiana, Michigan State, and Penn State, this is another high-profile athlete Ohio is developing. A great sign for the state and for the Buckeyes, having these caliber of quarterbacks right in their backyard helps ensure that there’s always going to be strong in-state options worth taking a close look at.
Kelly will also stop in to see Olentangy Orange product Levi Davis. A 5-foot-11, 175 pound athlete, Davis has offers from several MAC schools such as Bowling Green, Miami, UMass, and Toledo to his name early on. Another player that’s just a short trek from campus, the Buckeyes are well aware of Davis’ abilities, and taking the time to visit him shows they are impressed with his game thus far.
With still two full seasons of prep ball still to be played, Davis’ stock may continue to rise and surely this staff will pay close attention to his recruitment. Though there’s more national guys Day has shown he is after, these two Ohio products won’t be left out of the mix when it comes to talking potential options for the 2026 signal caller.
Quick Hits
- While visits and interviews definitely give the best insight to where a prospect is at, you can look at social media as well to see what schools are at or near the top of a player’s thought process.
Not a bad sign at all, looking at Dorian Barney in the 2026 class shows the Buckeyes are very much in the mix for the four-star cornerback. The No. 32 player nationally and third best cornerback in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Barney has well over 30 offers to his name and from every top program in the country.
Much like the players Tim Walton has been able to lock up the last two recruiting cycles, Barney is another top tier athlete and would be a major boom for any defensive secondary. The fortunate part, Barney has already listed the Buckeyes in his top schools that he put out earlier this month. Though apparel isn’t a major sign of a recruit’s allegiance, it also doesn’t hurt to see a top prospect repping the brand.
Continue reading...