We’re now fully into the quiet stretch of the college football offseason. Ohio State wrapped up its spring practices nearly a month ago, and with the spring transfer window now closed, there’s little activity expected until preseason camp kicks off.
That said, recruiting remains a key focus. Ohio State currently has 12 commitments in its 2026 class, but there’s still plenty of work ahead before the early signing period in December. Much of that effort will unfold over the summer, with the coaching staff now free to travel and host both official and unofficial visits.
One major development could come soon, as four-star cornerback Jordan Thomas is set to announce his college decision on Monday. The 6-foot-1 Bergen Catholic standout is ranked No. 16 at his position and No. 124 overall by 247Sports, and he’s also the No. 2 player in New Jersey. Thomas, whose school also produced current Buckeye freshman Quincy Porter, will choose between Ohio State, Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Texas A\&M at around 2:30 p.m. ET. Ohio State is in a strong position, having hosted him twice this spring, and On3 currently lists the Buckeyes as the favorite, narrowly ahead of Texas A\&M.
If he chooses Ohio State, Thomas would join Jakob Weatherspoon, Blaine Bradford, and Simeon Caldwell in the Buckeyes’ 2026 secondary group. The staff is also still in serious contention for five-star safety Bralan Womack, the No. 1 safety in the class.
In other recruiting news, Ohio State is still in the hunt for high four-star edge rusher Carter Meadows, who recently cut his list to four schools: Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and South Carolina. Meadows, from Washington, D.C., is ranked No. 33 nationally and No. 4 among edge defenders. The Buckeyes brought in strong edge talent in 2025 with Zion Grady and Epi Sitanilei, but haven’t secured a top-10 edge rusher since Eddrick Houston in 2024, who has since transitioned to defensive tackle.
Defensive line recruiting remains a concern for the Buckeyes. The numbers have dipped in recent classes, and ongoing questions about defensive line coach Larry Johnson’s future, along with a perceived decline in player development, have only added pressure. The 2026 class offers a chance to turn things around, though Ohio State has yet to secure a commitment at that position.
A plethora of new offers
Ohio State stayed busy on the recruiting trail over Mother’s Day weekend, extending a flurry of new scholarship offers. One of the most eye-catching names on the list is 2028 wide receiver Jett Harrison, the younger brother of former Buckeye star Marvin Harrison Jr. Jett now officially holds an offer from Ohio State, joining a growing list of prospects the Buckeyes are evaluating early in the recruiting process.
All player rankings referenced are from the 247Sports Composite, unless otherwise noted.
- 2027 four-star TE Grant Haviland (No. 20 TE, No. 310 Natl.)
- 2026 DL Earnest Rankins (No. 12 DL, No. 114 Natl.)
Quick Hits
Just over a week after pledging to Ohio State, four-star wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt has officially shut down his recruitment. Following in the footsteps of his Mater Dei teammate Chris Henry Jr., Dixon-Wyatt made it clear he’s fully committed to playing for the Buckeyes under wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, and he won’t be considering offers from other programs moving forward.
