2026 tOSU Recruiting Discussion

[billmac91]

Just my .02 cents…

With scholarships increasing to 105 next year, there’s many schools loading up with 30+ commits in this cycle.

OSU has remained steady around 20 - 21.

I don’t think this is an accident….schools are not required to use all 105 scholarships…..in fact, OSU may be thinking, why give out 105 scholarships, when we could do 90 and have more $$$ to spread around?

The schools taking 105 players…..like, what’s the purpose. 85 was already a shitload….theres no way to get all 85 quality reps, let alone use them all in games. A majority of your roster will transfer at some point seeking playing time elsewhere.

I continue to see OSU staying true to its philosophy of identifying high character athletes who are coming to OSU to be developed, and if not playing by junior year-ish, having conversations with coaching staff about what’s best for their careers…..I think that gets lost in the shuffle on today’s world of NCAA a lot. It’s pretty remarkable the relationships OSU has maintained with kids who have transferred out, or the public acknowledgement from players who state “they wish they stayed at OSU”.

 

[BB73]

Just my .02 cents…

With scholarships increasing to 105 next year, there’s many schools loading up with 30+ commits in this cycle.

OSU has remained steady around 20 - 21.

I don’t think this is an accident….schools are not required to use all 105 scholarships…..in fact, OSU may be thinking, why give out 105 scholarships, when we could do 90 and have more $$$ to spread around?

The schools taking 105 players…..like, what’s the purpose. 85 was already a shitload….theres no way to get all 85 quality reps, let alone use them all in games. A majority of your roster will transfer at some point seeking playing time elsewhere.

I continue to see OSU staying true to its philosophy of identifying high character athletes who are coming to OSU to be developed, and if not playing by junior year-ish, having conversations with coaching staff about what’s best for their careers…..I think that gets lost in the shuffle on today’s world of NCAA a lot. It’s pretty remarkable the relationships OSU has maintained with kids who have transferred out, or the public acknowledgement from players who state “they wish they stayed at OSU”.

It may also be a strategy to leave spots for transfers, and cherry pick based on need after seeing guys play for other teams, with NIL money left over for that. Which may be wiser than giving big bucks to guys coming out of HS.

 

[TDunk]

Just my .02 cents…

With scholarships increasing to 105 next year, there’s many schools loading up with 30+ commits in this cycle.

OSU has remained steady around 20 - 21.

I don’t think this is an accident….schools are not required to use all 105 scholarships…..in fact, OSU may be thinking, why give out 105 scholarships, when we could do 90 and have more $$$ to spread around?

The schools taking 105 players…..like, what’s the purpose. 85 was already a shitload….theres no way to get all 85 quality reps, let alone use them all in games. A majority of your roster will transfer at some point seeking playing time elsewhere.

I continue to see OSU staying true to its philosophy of identifying high character athletes who are coming to OSU to be developed, and if not playing by junior year-ish, having conversations with coaching staff about what’s best for their careers…..I think that gets lost in the shuffle on today’s world of NCAA a lot. It’s pretty remarkable the relationships OSU has maintained with kids who have transferred out, or the public acknowledgement from players who state “they wish they stayed at OSU”.

Also depends on how long they make the playoffs. Teams may need extra depth for a 20 game season.

 

[billmac91]

Also depends on how long they make the playoffs. Teams may need extra depth for a 20 game season.

I still think 85 is more than enough…..the NFL has a 53 man active roster and practice squad of 7 players.

85 is plenty…..and in the new world where revenue sharing is upon them, I’m just not sure 105 makes sense.

Maybe 90-ish and then reward some walk-ons who don’t count towards the revenue sharing but get taken care of in other ways. Again, JMO.

 

[pnuts34]

According to Wiltfong and some of the guys over on LR, OSU may now realize that they can offer competitive deals(I'll believe it when it happens). But just passing along the info:

Per Wiltfong:

I think OSU is going to be aggressive this fall with rising seniors and flip targets.

Per Spencer Holbrook:

The tide seems to be turning and Ohio State seems to be more ready to pivot, from some early things I have heard.

Per Birm:

They are working on ways to incorporate the collectives, that's been going on for the last few weeks. Still not going to just chase bad investments.

 

[sflbuck]

According to Wiltfong and some of the guys over on LR, OSU may now realize that they can offer competitive deals(I'll believe it when it happens). But just passing along the info:

Per Wiltfong:


Per Spencer Holbrook:


Per Birm:

I really hope this means that the CSC is clarifying and amending some of their initial rules. I know from watching several of Mark Pantoni's media appearances that they needed that clarity to move forward. For example, Pantoni complained about the initial CSC rule that all revenue sharing would be measured in a July 1 to June 30 cycle. That made roster management for football difficult because they had to hold back revenue sharing funds now to make sure that they had enough money for roster retention in the first six months of next year. He said that the CFB GM's more lobbying for a change for revenue sharing to be measured over a period corresponding to their season. If if the CSC is amending rules now that means we're closer to the final state of what college football will be at least for the short term.

 

[brodybuck21]

 

[brodybuck21]

 

[brodybuck21]

11W Forums

305Buck 2 hours ago
Birm said from what he’s gathered, the goal for the 2026 class is to reevaluate everyone after the first 3-4 games of their senior season and re rank them.
Said there will be a separate list for uncommitted recruits, recruits committed elsewhere and their recruiting misses from this class and then you’ll see them start making moves.
He predicts the Minnesota game will be when we start seeing 2026 recruits visiting campus.

305Buck 2 hours ago
Birm said Ohio State is very confident that they have a plan that will work, his assumption is that they will be even more aggressive in the transfer portal.

 

[pnuts34]

11W Forums

305Buck 2 hours ago
Birm said from what he’s gathered, the goal for the 2026 class is to reevaluate everyone after the first 3-4 games of their senior season and re rank them.
Said there will be a separate list for uncommitted recruits, recruits committed elsewhere and their recruiting misses from this class and then you’ll see them start making moves.
He predicts the Minnesota game will be when we start seeing 2026 recruits visiting campus.

305Buck 2 hours ago
Birm said Ohio State is very confident that they have a plan that will work, his assumption is that they will be even more aggressive in the transfer portal.

To add to the last quote(all of this is in the video btw), Day and company are still worried about overpaying HSers. And don’t see a point in offering 7 figures to someone like Bralan Womack, knowing that Jaylen McClain is at this point a much better player and will be commanding a pay raise next season if he continues to play as well as he did against Texas. And if they were to see a hole on the roster, they would rather it filled with a possible immediate return from the Portal. But they will pick a list of players each class that they will pay top dollar for, and then reevaluate the list based on how the team is doing throughout the year.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ohio State's 2026 class currently ranks No. 9 in the 247Sports composite, but Ryan Day still has "all the confidence in the world" that the Buckeyes will sign a great class.

 

[calibuck]

Here's where the rubber hits the road. One can have the #1 recruiting class, but not fill all the immediate or future holes in the line-up. Or one can fill the gaps, and not have the #1 class. Who has the best class? Obviously open to debate, but filling the gaps in the recruiting classes, to me at least, seems to be more important. Clearly, the portal can take care of the spot needs, but the 'best' portal players will command the premium dollars from everyone. Probably better to groom the youngsters, and have the 'didn't quite make it' players go their own way.

 

[brodybuck21]

11W Forums

KYBuck4858 14 hours ago
New name for ‘26 Edge. Just offered by WVU. I imagine the visit this weekend is to get verified height/weight and get-to-know type of thing. But maybe a fall back option down the road. Normally I hate that we only look at in-state options for development types rather than flipping guys from other BIG schools. But the Chaz Coleman debacle will cause headaches for years to come, so I’ve come around. Film looks pretty good, and has great wingspan and measurables.

 

[GeorgiaBuck2]

Was listening to BuckeyeScoop last night and Nevadabuck mentioned something pretty interesting (yes I know some dont like their product, but I actually think BuckeyeScoop has been more enjoyable to watch/listen to since Barton was replaced by B. Moses)...

He says he has heard that OSU will make a big push to use NIL funds at the end of the recruiting cycle to push for some major flips (ie Wafle, Hill, Womack, Odom). Similar to how Alabama would be slow out of the gate and then boom, on signing day they would sign a bunch of blue chippers and end up with the number 1 class.

He says that it was interesting how Ryan responded to the question about the 2026 class, and that December is when NIL really matters. This is why Ryan is confident in a strong finish, and he kind of made that apparent during his press conference yesterday.

Birm may have mentioned something similar, and it sounds like a good strategy. Continue to communicate with them until the end, and make an offer that they can't refuse, while also showcasing your product on and off the field.

 

[billmac91]

It’s really important for people to remember that next year schools can have up to 105 scholarship players. Obviously an extra (20) scholarships from the current 85 limit.

Many schools are already at 35+ commits in anticipation of this.

I just don’t think OSU has interest in bringing that many freshmen in….I truly think it’s kind of a waste of everyone’s time and resources. Especially when a revenue share of TV money ($20M) will be split amongst the roster.

I’m interested to see how it plays out but the #9 recruiting class doesn’t bother me a single bit if the players coming in fit the culture….