Gene Ross
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Ohio State regains No. 1 class in 2025, looking to finish strong
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Five-star 2025 OT David Sanders Jr. | @DavidLSandersJr on Twitter
The Buckeyes have some highly-ranked targets still remaining on the board.
Thanks to a de-commitment from Alabama, Ohio State once again lays claim to the No. 1 overall class in 2025. With 24 commits, the Buckeyes (310.88) are now a few points ahead of the Crimson Tide (304.41) for the top spot. That being said, Ryan Day and crew cannot just rely on players leaving other schools if they want to finish out with the nation’s best recruiting class. Luckily, Ohio State remains in the running for a handful of big names in this cycle.
Here are some of the players the Buckeyes are still working to add to their top-ranked group, in no particular order:
While I said the list is in no particular order, there is a clear and obvious top priority among these names in five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. The No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 2 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, Sanders would be the guy who could take this Ohio State class from a really good one to a great one. The North Carolina native announces his commitment on Aug. 17, and will choose between Ohio State, Georgia, Nebraska and Tennessee, with the Buckeyes and Vols seemingly at the top of the list.
After not hearing much buzz around Petty for a bit, Ohio State has reportedly been making a late push for the offensive lineman out of Georgia. The No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 37 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, Petty has a top five schools consisting of Ohio State, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Stanford and Tennessee. The Seminoles have long been considered the favorite in this recruitment, and while that will likely be his destination when he makes his decision on Aug. 12, maybe the Buckeyes have done enough to make themselves a legit contender.
Rounding out the offensive linemen on the board, McFadden is another talented player Ohio State is after — this time on the interior. Ranked as the No. 28 IOL in this class and the No. 13 player out of Maryland in the 247Sports Composite, McFadden visited Columbus in early June. Around that same time Ohio State became the favorites for McFadden on the On3 RPM, but there has been little to go off since then. There is no set timetable for the 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman to announce his commitment.
One of two players committed elsewhere on this list, Rogers is currently a member of Alabama’s 2025 class. The 5-foot-8, 190 running back nicknamed ‘Turbo’ checks in as the No. 6 RB and No. 111 player overall per the 247Sports Composite. Rogers was offered by Carlos Locklyn in April and took a visit to Columbus at the end of May, and could potentially return for an official visit during the fall. While it won’t be easy to steal a player from the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban’s retirement gives Ohio State a legitimate chance to add a third talented back in this cycle.
Only receiving an official offer from Ohio State this past Thursday, Myles is an interesting name to watch in this cycle. A five-star prospect by 247Sports’ rankings, the Utah native sits as the No. 5 wide receiver and No. 30 player nationally. The in-state Utes as well as Texas A&M have been viewed as the leaders for the 6-foot-2 pass-catcher, but Brian Hartline entering the mix certainly makes things interesting. They have a lot of catching up to do, but if the Buckeyes can get Myles on a visit this fall, you can never rule out Hartline in any recruitment.
Keeping with the wide receiver spot, Bell has long been viewed as likely Ohio State’s top remaining target at the position. Standing at 6-foot-2 out of California, Bell currently ranks as the No. 17 WR and the No. 170 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite. This has seemingly narrowed down to a two-team battle between Ohio State and USC, with the in-state Trojans likely having the edge right now. Bell visited Columbus on June 14, and took the trip to USC a week later on June 21. There is currently no timetable for a decision.
A third and final target at the wide receiver position, Bowman is another player Ohio State entered the mix for late. Currently committed to Kentucky, the Pickerington North product ranks as the No. 38 player in Ohio and the No. 142 WR per 247Sports’ rankings. The Buckeyes only offered Bowman on June 23 — one day after his commitment to the Wildcats. The Ohio native camped four times with the Buckeyes and there is clear mutual interest between the two parties, but Hartline will have to do some work to pry him away from Kentucky.
One of only two defensive players on this list, Delhomme is likely the final player on the board at defensive back, with Trey McNutt almost certainly ending up at Oregon. Tim Walton and Matt Guerrieri have done a tremendous job in this 2025 cycle, and would love to close things out with the Virginia native. The 6-foot-1 safety ranks as the No. 11 player at the position and the No. 115 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite. Ohio State was listed in Delhomme’s top six schools alongside Alabama, Maryland, Syracuse, Virginia and Virginia Tech, but no timetable has been set for a decision.
Last but not least, Autry is the second player on this list currently committed elsewhere, having made his pledge to Auburn all the way back in February of 2023. An Alabama native, the 6-foot-5.5, 320-pound defensive tackle would be a tremendous (no pun intended) get for Ohio State, as players of his size and caliber generally wind up in the SEC. However, Autry has shown an interest in the Buckeyes, and his close friendship with OSU commit Zion Grady certainly helps them in this attempt to flip the five-star prospect. Autry is rated as the No. 4 DL and No. 29 player nationally by 247Sports’ rankings.
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Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Five-star 2025 OT David Sanders Jr. | @DavidLSandersJr on Twitter
The Buckeyes have some highly-ranked targets still remaining on the board.
Thanks to a de-commitment from Alabama, Ohio State once again lays claim to the No. 1 overall class in 2025. With 24 commits, the Buckeyes (310.88) are now a few points ahead of the Crimson Tide (304.41) for the top spot. That being said, Ryan Day and crew cannot just rely on players leaving other schools if they want to finish out with the nation’s best recruiting class. Luckily, Ohio State remains in the running for a handful of big names in this cycle.
Here are some of the players the Buckeyes are still working to add to their top-ranked group, in no particular order:
- David Sanders Jr. - OT, North Carolina
While I said the list is in no particular order, there is a clear and obvious top priority among these names in five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. The No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 2 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, Sanders would be the guy who could take this Ohio State class from a really good one to a great one. The North Carolina native announces his commitment on Aug. 17, and will choose between Ohio State, Georgia, Nebraska and Tennessee, with the Buckeyes and Vols seemingly at the top of the list.
- Josh Petty - OT, Georgia
After not hearing much buzz around Petty for a bit, Ohio State has reportedly been making a late push for the offensive lineman out of Georgia. The No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 37 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, Petty has a top five schools consisting of Ohio State, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Stanford and Tennessee. The Seminoles have long been considered the favorite in this recruitment, and while that will likely be his destination when he makes his decision on Aug. 12, maybe the Buckeyes have done enough to make themselves a legit contender.
- Jayvon McFadden - IOL, Maryland
Rounding out the offensive linemen on the board, McFadden is another talented player Ohio State is after — this time on the interior. Ranked as the No. 28 IOL in this class and the No. 13 player out of Maryland in the 247Sports Composite, McFadden visited Columbus in early June. Around that same time Ohio State became the favorites for McFadden on the On3 RPM, but there has been little to go off since then. There is no set timetable for the 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman to announce his commitment.
- Anthony Rogers - RB, Alabama (Alabama commit)
One of two players committed elsewhere on this list, Rogers is currently a member of Alabama’s 2025 class. The 5-foot-8, 190 running back nicknamed ‘Turbo’ checks in as the No. 6 RB and No. 111 player overall per the 247Sports Composite. Rogers was offered by Carlos Locklyn in April and took a visit to Columbus at the end of May, and could potentially return for an official visit during the fall. While it won’t be easy to steal a player from the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban’s retirement gives Ohio State a legitimate chance to add a third talented back in this cycle.
- Jerome Myles - WR, Utah
Only receiving an official offer from Ohio State this past Thursday, Myles is an interesting name to watch in this cycle. A five-star prospect by 247Sports’ rankings, the Utah native sits as the No. 5 wide receiver and No. 30 player nationally. The in-state Utes as well as Texas A&M have been viewed as the leaders for the 6-foot-2 pass-catcher, but Brian Hartline entering the mix certainly makes things interesting. They have a lot of catching up to do, but if the Buckeyes can get Myles on a visit this fall, you can never rule out Hartline in any recruitment.
- Phillip Bell - WR, California
Keeping with the wide receiver spot, Bell has long been viewed as likely Ohio State’s top remaining target at the position. Standing at 6-foot-2 out of California, Bell currently ranks as the No. 17 WR and the No. 170 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite. This has seemingly narrowed down to a two-team battle between Ohio State and USC, with the in-state Trojans likely having the edge right now. Bell visited Columbus on June 14, and took the trip to USC a week later on June 21. There is currently no timetable for a decision.
- Preston Bowman - WR, Ohio
A third and final target at the wide receiver position, Bowman is another player Ohio State entered the mix for late. Currently committed to Kentucky, the Pickerington North product ranks as the No. 38 player in Ohio and the No. 142 WR per 247Sports’ rankings. The Buckeyes only offered Bowman on June 23 — one day after his commitment to the Wildcats. The Ohio native camped four times with the Buckeyes and there is clear mutual interest between the two parties, but Hartline will have to do some work to pry him away from Kentucky.
- Messiah Delhomme - S, Virginia
One of only two defensive players on this list, Delhomme is likely the final player on the board at defensive back, with Trey McNutt almost certainly ending up at Oregon. Tim Walton and Matt Guerrieri have done a tremendous job in this 2025 cycle, and would love to close things out with the Virginia native. The 6-foot-1 safety ranks as the No. 11 player at the position and the No. 115 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite. Ohio State was listed in Delhomme’s top six schools alongside Alabama, Maryland, Syracuse, Virginia and Virginia Tech, but no timetable has been set for a decision.
- Malik Autry - DT, Alabama (Auburn commit)
Last but not least, Autry is the second player on this list currently committed elsewhere, having made his pledge to Auburn all the way back in February of 2023. An Alabama native, the 6-foot-5.5, 320-pound defensive tackle would be a tremendous (no pun intended) get for Ohio State, as players of his size and caliber generally wind up in the SEC. However, Autry has shown an interest in the Buckeyes, and his close friendship with OSU commit Zion Grady certainly helps them in this attempt to flip the five-star prospect. Autry is rated as the No. 4 DL and No. 29 player nationally by 247Sports’ rankings.
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