Caleb Houser
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Ohio State offers in-state 2025 target committed elsewhere, prepares for big recruiting weekend
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Chaz Coleman | 247Sports
The Buckeyes’ latest offer came Wednesday by way of an in-state athlete.
In an NIL focused world, recruiting is tougher to follow than ever, and that could very well be the case for the Buckeyes just before the early signing period as they continue trying to hold on to multiple players who look to be potential flip candidates.
While that will sort itself out in the end, it’s not super common for this staff to offer players in the cycle this late in the game. On Wednesday Ohio State dished out their latest offer in the 2025 class to an in-state native who is currently committed to Penn State. Raising the question as to if they can pull off a late flip of their own, this creates an interesting storyline if they can hurt their conference foe in the process with the Nittany Lions trying to do the same to them with multiple players.
Taking to his social media to share the update, Warren, Ohio native Chaz Coleman was the most recent offer for the Buckeyes. A 6-foot-5, 225 pound athlete, Coleman is currently the No. 417 player nationally and the 24th best athlete per the 247Sports Composite.
Lining up all over the field for his prep team, Coleman has played defensive end, tight end, linebacker and even quarterback at the high school level, which tells you just how athletic he is. Looking at his frame, this is a chance to see what Coleman can grow into at the next level, including what potentially could be an edge rushing role. Surely the Penn State staff feels the same after having similar body types to his over the years wreak havoc on offensive lines.
Maybe too hard to tell right now if the Buckeyes can pull it off, Penn State will sell the idea that Ohio State would have offered earlier if they really wanted him, but with an offer now extended, being an in-state kid hearing from the Buckeyes holds some merit. Getting him to campus will be the next goal, and if they can make that happen soon, you have to believe Ohio State has a real shot at late push to keep one of the more impressive athletes in the cycle at home.
A player that Ohio State is doing their best to hold on to down the stretch is linebacker commit TJ Alford. A Vero Beach, Florida star, Alford has been committed to the Buckeyes since March, but the Florida schools and mainly Miami are once again trying their best to hurt Ohio State late in the game by pushing for one their better defensive players. A trend that has been an annoyance the past few recruiting classes, it’s going to take a lot of effort from James Laurinaitis to keep the others away, but the ties to his family and strong relationships that have been built certainly help.
An entirely different aspect that can help too, the Buckeyes are also recruiting his current teammate Micah “Champ” Smith in the 2026 class. While package deals rarely work, having another Vero Beach native on the roster just a year after TJ arrives on campus definitely wouldn’t hurt, as familiar faces always bring some additional comfort.
The No. 81 player nationally and the sixth best interior lineman in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Smith will be in Columbus this weekend to see the Buckeyes host Indiana in a top five match-up. A major win to have him on hand, 2026 is a big cycle for offensive line recruiting, and while there’s a ways to go before his commitment is public, this weekend is a great place to start.
Keeping Alford in the class is a more pressing priority being the current cycle, and multiple Buckeyes in the 2025 class felt the need to share their support by taking to social media in their own way to give the nod not only to Smith being on campus, but making sure TJ too sees he’s a need as this class gets closer to the end.
The noon game, however, has unfortunately derailed his visit plans, as his Friday night high school game just doesn’t allow enough time to drive or fly to Columbus from Nashville. Sure, the Buckeyes can certainly host him later in the year, but each passing week is an opportunity for Curtis to head somewhere else, which he has done already with other programs.
Ohio State’s stance has been and will continue to be that they’ll play whenever, but it’s hard to look past the fact that these noon games are really hurting their recruiting opportunities when it comes to hosting top players. This weekend is another example of that.
Pegged earlier this week to end up as a Buckeye by On3’s Steve Wiltfong, Ohio State is starting to see their 2026 targets get closer to decisions, and that includes this in-state target.
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
Chaz Coleman | 247Sports
The Buckeyes’ latest offer came Wednesday by way of an in-state athlete.
In an NIL focused world, recruiting is tougher to follow than ever, and that could very well be the case for the Buckeyes just before the early signing period as they continue trying to hold on to multiple players who look to be potential flip candidates.
While that will sort itself out in the end, it’s not super common for this staff to offer players in the cycle this late in the game. On Wednesday Ohio State dished out their latest offer in the 2025 class to an in-state native who is currently committed to Penn State. Raising the question as to if they can pull off a late flip of their own, this creates an interesting storyline if they can hurt their conference foe in the process with the Nittany Lions trying to do the same to them with multiple players.
Taking to his social media to share the update, Warren, Ohio native Chaz Coleman was the most recent offer for the Buckeyes. A 6-foot-5, 225 pound athlete, Coleman is currently the No. 417 player nationally and the 24th best athlete per the 247Sports Composite.
Lining up all over the field for his prep team, Coleman has played defensive end, tight end, linebacker and even quarterback at the high school level, which tells you just how athletic he is. Looking at his frame, this is a chance to see what Coleman can grow into at the next level, including what potentially could be an edge rushing role. Surely the Penn State staff feels the same after having similar body types to his over the years wreak havoc on offensive lines.
Maybe too hard to tell right now if the Buckeyes can pull it off, Penn State will sell the idea that Ohio State would have offered earlier if they really wanted him, but with an offer now extended, being an in-state kid hearing from the Buckeyes holds some merit. Getting him to campus will be the next goal, and if they can make that happen soon, you have to believe Ohio State has a real shot at late push to keep one of the more impressive athletes in the cycle at home.
A player that Ohio State is doing their best to hold on to down the stretch is linebacker commit TJ Alford. A Vero Beach, Florida star, Alford has been committed to the Buckeyes since March, but the Florida schools and mainly Miami are once again trying their best to hurt Ohio State late in the game by pushing for one their better defensive players. A trend that has been an annoyance the past few recruiting classes, it’s going to take a lot of effort from James Laurinaitis to keep the others away, but the ties to his family and strong relationships that have been built certainly help.
An entirely different aspect that can help too, the Buckeyes are also recruiting his current teammate Micah “Champ” Smith in the 2026 class. While package deals rarely work, having another Vero Beach native on the roster just a year after TJ arrives on campus definitely wouldn’t hurt, as familiar faces always bring some additional comfort.
The No. 81 player nationally and the sixth best interior lineman in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Smith will be in Columbus this weekend to see the Buckeyes host Indiana in a top five match-up. A major win to have him on hand, 2026 is a big cycle for offensive line recruiting, and while there’s a ways to go before his commitment is public, this weekend is a great place to start.
Keeping Alford in the class is a more pressing priority being the current cycle, and multiple Buckeyes in the 2025 class felt the need to share their support by taking to social media in their own way to give the nod not only to Smith being on campus, but making sure TJ too sees he’s a need as this class gets closer to the end.
Quick Hits
- Originally a possibility for this weekend, Ohio State had hoped to once again to host five-star quarterback target Jared Curtis for this top five match-up on Saturday. The No. four player nationally and top signal caller in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, having Curtis back on campus is about as important as it gets when wanting to have a real shot at his commitment.
The noon game, however, has unfortunately derailed his visit plans, as his Friday night high school game just doesn’t allow enough time to drive or fly to Columbus from Nashville. Sure, the Buckeyes can certainly host him later in the year, but each passing week is an opportunity for Curtis to head somewhere else, which he has done already with other programs.
Ohio State’s stance has been and will continue to be that they’ll play whenever, but it’s hard to look past the fact that these noon games are really hurting their recruiting opportunities when it comes to hosting top players. This weekend is another example of that.
- Another big time in-state visitor on hand this weekend, Avon, Ohio native Jakob Weatherspoon will be making the short trek to see the Buckeyes on Saturday. The No. 167 player nationally and ninth best athlete in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, Weatherspoon is a priority target in the upcoming cycle and is already seeing some positive momentum.
Pegged earlier this week to end up as a Buckeye by On3’s Steve Wiltfong, Ohio State is starting to see their 2026 targets get closer to decisions, and that includes this in-state target.
Continue reading...