Now that the calendar has flipped to June, it’s not just the weather that’s heating up. Ohio State recruiting has been steady ever since hoisting the trophy after winning the program’s ninth national championship. To this point, the Buckeyes boast the third-best class (per 247Sports) with 13 commits. According to 247Sports‘ ratings, Ohio State is currently without a five-star commit, though that could change.
This weekend, Ryan Day and his coaching staff courted 11 rising seniors and members of the 2026 recruiting cycle. 10 of those are still uncommitted. Naturally, the Buckeyes are trying their hardest to add to the Big Ten’s second-best recruiting class. With so many top-end talents on campus, Ohio State had to make an impression.
Ohio State Impresses Priority Recruits Over The Weekend
An Uphill Battle
In an ideal world, Day secures commitments from all the best players and gets to coach on easy mode. In reality, the Buckeyes are up against all of the other bluebloods who can fork over just as much NIL and have a similar track record at putting players into the NFL. When it comes to the battle for the top offensive tackle in the country, Ohio State is going head-to-head with its Week 1 foe, Texas.
Felix Ojo is the fifth-best recruit in the nation and the top uncommitted player in the 2026 cycle. Currently, the Longhorns are the favorite to keep the elite tackle in the Lone Star State. However, in his visit to Columbus, Ojo gushed about the Buckeyes and how his visit went.
Five-Star OT Felix Ojo says Ohio State stands really high with he & his family 🌰
“The family atmosphere and how the program is deeply centered in faith. Also the offensive scheme fits and resembles my play style a lot. Overall it was a great visit.”https://t.co/tL3pwafiTr pic.twitter.com/M1kANuG2jm
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 1, 2025
Ojo is the biggest fish that Day and Tyler Bowen are working to land. The six-foot-six, 272-pound rising senior is projected to be one of the few sure-fire prospects in the class. He has impressive athleticism for his size and reportedly has the intangibles coaches look for.
Over the past few seasons, the recruiting efforts on the offensive line have left plenty to be desired. From not landing any elite talents to being used as a negotiation tactic last fall, Ohio State has had to turn to the transfer portal. It’s looking like Bowen’s approach to recruiting is resonating. While landing Ojo is the best-case scenario, Ohio State being among the favorites for the Texan is impressive in itself. Ojo would be the highest-rated Ohio State recruit on the offensive line since Paris Johnson Jr. in 2020.
Laurinaitis’s Impact
Who knew being a two-time All-American, Nagurski Trophy, Lott Trophy, and Butkus Award winner would help out on the recruiting trail? Considering the Buckeyes were able to lock down two four-star linebackers in the 2025 class, both of whom could fight for playing time as true freshmen, it’s obvious that James Laurinaitis‘s prestige carries weight.
Xavier Griffin is the top-ranked linebacker in the 2026 class and the eighth-best player regardless of position according to 247Sports. Last month, he decommitted from USC and added Ohio State to his top four. While it’s looking like Alabama may have his eye, Ohio State impressed him this weekend.
Griffin spoke with Eleven Warriors after his visit and had nothing but great things to say about Laurinaitis and the Buckeyes. “Being able to be coached and developed by one of the best linebackers to ever come out of Ohio State and already know the Buckeye way excites me a lot,” the linebacker said of Lauraitis. Overall, he “Had a great time, they are already in my top four, so they’re still up there and I’m just truly still excited about them.”
While hanging out with one of those four-star linebackers, Riley Pettijohn, Griffin was impressed with new defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia: “Coach Patricia is bringing a new defensive scheme that fits me and my versatility.”
He may end up picking the Crimson Tide in the end, but Laurinaitis and Patricia are going to make the decision more difficult.
June is going to be a busy month for Buckeye recruiting. Only time will tell when the next commitment of the Ohio State recruits will come down the pipe.
Main Image: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
