2026 tOSU Recruiting Discussion

[Jaxbuck]

One thing I'd note is that "commitments" at this point aren't real, and that we almost certainly have more late poaching potential than the middle-tier programs that are "stealing" kids from us with big bags right now. Let's see if maybe there's a three-part strategy to: (1) Hold off on matching big bags and having to set the market and defend our "commits" all year long (and maybe annoying current, proven players before they're well into and focused on the season); See what we can get for now without breaking the bank with decent but not market setting NIL, the brand, promises of development, culture, etc.; and (3) Fill in deficiencies later by matching or exceeding the bags of "committed" kids we like and who we know like us (like Womack if he "commits" to Auburn soon) right before the signing deadline and not having to have others drive up the price more while they're committed to us but unsigned. This would also have the advantage of getting more film on the prospects and shortening the window for injury risk.

I haven't seen indications that OSU plans to focus mainly on the portal to the detriment of high-school recruiting, and I do think that, with fairly rare exceptions for true freaks at comparatively easily projectable positions for which sheer talent/athleticism is a bigger determinant of success (RB, WR, CB, DE, and maybe DT), and where the wallets should open up early from time to time, I'd prefer that they focus the biggest bags on retaining proven talent or acquiring a handful of impact portal guys like Downs, Klare, Judkins, etc.

Put another, way, I'm in "trust the coaches" mode, at least for now.

Pantoni's comments don't read like they are strategically gaming the system and trying to re-swoop anybody at the end.

He and Birm have both thrown out numbers publicly saying that OSU is coming in 30-50% lighter than others for guys that the coaches are investing time and energy into pursuing (they want them, they fit the culture and they are good players). Reads/sounds like frustration to me.

This isn't about trusting the coaches imo. This is about the AD and NIL. I think Day and co are doing the best with what they can do but you can't invest in the current roster very long in a 4 year cycle business and you can't be paying 50% below market wages in any endeavor if you want the top end talent.

Things move fast, last years NC is a lagging indicator of Day's roster building pre 2024, it's no indication that he can do it going forward if he is somehow being hamstrung by the NIL cash.

If he isn't actually hamstrung by the AD/NIL and this is a conscious decision and go forward strategy, well then it's certainly a bold one. Let's see how it works out for him Cotton.

 

[sparcboxbuck]

That's the issue

Is the issue because they aren’t considering that high tide needs to raise ALL ships (as it were).

I don’t think that I’d get much pushback that throwing a 7-figure deal at a HS kid makes sense, let alone, as frequently as it’s happening… but if that’s what’s required to maintain being competitive they could still do it… but the program would have to take care of the players they want to keep in a similar way. I recognize that implies a LOT more NIL cash than what I think they are currently spending.

As a voyeur this would be a LOT more fun to watch if I didn’t give a f*** about tOSU.

 

[NastyNatiBuck]

Im sure the major push back by some is "hey we won a Natty the current way, if ain't broke don't fix it"

If your approach starts with, "it worked last year," in the current era of college football, you're behind. In a dynamic environment, doing the same thing will get you left in the dust.

 

[ShowMeBuck]

Everyone acting like OSU is Minnesota just because they aren’t recruiting like Bama used to do pre-NIL

It’s a whole new world and they have had a proven strategy so far.

I’ll trust the coaches for now. Team chemistry seems to be super important to them and I get that.

Also, it sure seems to me that you are starting to see better and better quality players in the portal. I’d love a deep dive into the first few rounds of the draft to see how many schools the top 60-90 players attended on a year by year basis.

Our starting QB and the 2nd best player in college football were transfers. Josh Simmons went in the first round…etc etc.

 

[buckeyemania11]

Everyone acting like OSU is Minnesota just because they aren’t recruiting like Bama used to do pre-NIL

It’s a whole new world and they have had a proven strategy so far.

I’ll trust the coaches for now. Team chemistry seems to be super important to them and I get that.

Also, it sure seems to me that you are starting to see better and better quality players in the portal. I’d love a deep dive into the first few rounds of the draft to see how many schools the top 60-90 players attended on a year by year basis.

Our starting QB and the 2nd best player in college football were transfers. Josh Simmons went in the first round…etc etc.

We are 5th right now if you go by average player ranking. When it comes to the B1G Oregon is ahead of us but we are still ahead of also heavy bag swingers USC and scUM.

With the true top end talent more spread out than ever the real battle is going to be who can evaluate, retain and develop the next tiers of players the best.

 

[jakenick06]

Pantoni's comments don't read like they are strategically gaming the system and trying to re-swoop anybody at the end.

He and Birm have both thrown out numbers publicly saying that OSU is coming in 30-50% lighter than others for guys that the coaches are investing time and energy into pursuing (they want them, they fit the culture and they are good players). Reads/sounds like frustration to me.

This isn't about trusting the coaches imo. This is about the AD and NIL. I think Day and co are doing the best with what they can do but you can't invest in the current roster very long in a 4 year cycle business and you can't be paying 50% below market wages in any endeavor if you want the top end talent.

Things move fast, last years NC is a lagging indicator of Day's roster building pre 2024, it's no indication that he can do it going forward if he is somehow being hamstrung by the NIL cash.

If he isn't actually hamstrung by the AD/NIL and this is a conscious decision and go forward strategy, well then it's certainly a bold one. Let's see how it works out for him Cotton.

Don’t worry, the Shoe is adding premium loge seating in the south end zone and the 1922 club….CapEx is going exactly where it needs to go……

The actual athletes are better off than what they had 10 years ago, so this should remain linear of course over the next 10 years bc we’re Ohio State…..

I’d like to say F Ross Bjork, but honestly good for him on failing upward throughout his career.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

It'd be amusing to have a website that has players' NIL market valuation alongside the NIL the players are receiving

 

[BuckeyeBiz]

Sky not falling! We have a top 3-5 roster returning after a ship and tons of draft picks. Virtually zero transfers of consequence out and cherry picked studs at areas of needs. We have the best offensive and defensive player in college football on our roster. 3 blue chip QBs and more coming. Endless pipeline of 5 star receivers and our LB / secondary recruiting is very good with OL recruiting and development pretty damn solid. Also investing a lot in coaches which yields talent development and talent retention. We have everything needed to be in playoffs every year. I see the strategy. I wouldn’t think of this era like the previous 20. Oil, software, shoe, crypto, snake $ will show up, light on fire and burn out spectacularly. We are built for continuity. We’re the hunted. Don’t overcorrect or over pursue. Be balanced.

A few areas of concern, notably DL, which I believe should be a point of emphasis with our resources.

Side note, can one of you start the next Oracle, date a hot 20 something OSU co-ed and fund us some DL talent please?

 

[pnuts34]

Is the issue because they aren’t considering that high tide needs to raise ALL ships (as it were).

I don’t think that I’d get much pushback that throwing a 7-figure deal at a HS kid makes sense, let alone, as frequently as it’s happening… but if that’s what’s required to maintain being competitive they could still do it… but the program would have to take care of the players they want to keep in a similar way. I recognize that implies a LOT more NIL cash than what I think they are currently spending.

As a voyeur this would be a LOT more fun to watch if I didn’t give a f*** about tOSU.

Problem with paying HSers the 7 figure contracts, is you'll have to pay their upperclassmen counterparts even more. And on top of that, I dont see how a program can develop any talent if you pay your HSers more and more every class. And in tune, you're going to expect them to start, and expect them to win big. If Underwood isn't in the Heisman conversation, all B1G and possibly all American by next year, he's going to be considered a bust. Same with David Sanders, the TE going to USC, Felix Ojo, etc

Everyone acting like OSU is Minnesota just because they aren’t recruiting like Bama used to do pre-NIL

It’s a whole new world and they have had a proven strategy so far.

I’ll trust the coaches for now. Team chemistry seems to be super important to them and I get that.

Also, it sure seems to me that you are starting to see better and better quality players in the portal. I’d love a deep dive into the first few rounds of the draft to see how many schools the top 60-90 players attended on a year by year basis.

Our starting QB and the 2nd best player in college football were transfers. Josh Simmons went in the first round…etc etc.

But just like recruiting HSers, the Portal is a crapshoot. You are correct that Sayin, Downs and Simmons have all been success stories. But what about Nigel Glover, Vic Cutler, Tywone Malone, and Jahad Carter?

Im with you, that team chemistry is a priority. But OSU still needs to bring in their share of high end talent. Im not in the doom and gloom crowd, and im trusting the coaches too. It seems like their targeting specific players that they will put big money up for. This will be interesting to follow for the next few years

 

[ShowMeBuck]

Problem with paying HSers the 7 figure contracts, is you'll have to pay their upperclassmen counterparts even more. And on top of that, I dont see how a program can develop any talent if you pay your HSers more and more every class. And in tune, you're going to expect them to start, and expect them to win big. If Underwood isn't in the Heisman conversation, all B1G and possibly all American by next year, he's going to be considered a bust. Same with David Sanders, the TE going to USC, Felix Ojo, etc

But just like recruiting HSers, the Portal is a crapshoot. You are correct that Sayin, Downs and Simmons have all been success stories. But what about Nigel Glover, Vic Cutler, Tywone Malone, and Jahad Carter?

Im with you, that team chemistry is a priority. But OSU still needs to bring in their share of high end talent. Im not in the doom and gloom crowd, and im trusting the coaches too. It seems like their targeting specific players that they will put big money up for. This will be interesting to follow for the next few years

Not to split hairs but they targeted Malone as a HS recruit. I think chemistry in team sports is huge and NIL can be the rat poison to kill it.

Something I don’t hear mentioned is the importance of consistency in this new era. I see boom and bust cycles with a lot of teams and the winners will be the ones seen as the most consistent…with winning big games, putting guys in the league, etc.

*JJ Smith, Devin Sanchez etc still chose to come here. Some elite kids will understand the big picture.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Not to split hairs but they targeted Malone as a HS recruit. I think chemistry in team sports is huge and NIL can be the rat poison to kill it.

Something I don’t hear mentioned is the importance of consistency in this new era. I see boom and bust cycles with a lot of teams and the winners will be the ones seen as the most consistent…with winning big games, putting guys in the league, etc.

*JJ Smith, Devin Sanchez etc still chose to come here. Some elite kids will understand the big picture.

Those guys came here a couple of years ago. From what we are hearing, it sounds like the NIL money from OSU has changed significantly since and thus Pantoni's (and others) public gripes about it.

No kid is taking a 50% haircut to come to OSU vs some other big school just because of development. Other schools put guys in the NFL too.

Not sure if that 50% thing was true a couple of years ago.

 

[buckeyemania11]

The higher end guys are being more spread out than ever. This class obviously isn't ideal so far when it comes to those type of guys. With the top end being spread out more than ever though I think the real battle when it comes to contending for titles is who can evaluate, develop and retain those next tiers of players.

You can almost immediately write off the pure bag teams as they've proven they aren't really winning anything (the A&M, USC and Cryami types)

 

[ShowMeBuck]

You have to wonder how long Day and Pantoni will stick around if it gets really bad. Can’t imagine they’ll be interested in getting in the ring with one arm tied behind the back.