One of the fastest-rising linebackers in the 2025 class was enamored with his Ohio State visit earlier this summer.
California prospect Weston Port became Ohio State’s third offer at linebacker in the 2025 cycle when he visited Columbus on June 17.
“It was really impressive,” Port told Eleven Warriors of the visit. “All the coaches went out of their way to talk to me including coach Knowles and coach Day. They were super personable and I could tell the program was really well-run. All the staff and coaches were very friendly and organized. I got to see the campus, the football facilities and had a full rundown on how everything works.”
after an amazing visit to @OhioStateFB Im grateful to @ryandaytime and @CoachJimKnowles for the offer to be a #buckeye @bzdebski @CoreyDennis_ @TheMatt_V @adamgorney @GregBiggins @MikeTSinger pic.twitter.com/xxngCbzvPX
— (@PortWeston) June 17, 2022
While on the visit, Port toured the facilities and met with multiple Ohio State coaches, including Jim Knowles. Port said he could play the hybrid outside linebacker/edge position in Knowles’ scheme, but that could change depending on how his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame develops.
At the end of his visit, Day presented an offer to the rising 2025 linebacker. Upon receiving it, he said Ohio State instantly moved toward the top of his offer list. Port says the Buckeyes will be one of his top schools “without question.”
“It’s honestly one of the biggest honors and most humbling experiences of my life as an athlete,” Port said of receiving the offer. “To have coach Day make me that offer in person in his office was incredible.”
Port said Ohio State is one of the premier programs in the country and has a history not many other programs can match. One of the most appealing aspects about Ohio State to Port is how OSU prepares its athletes for life after football.
“I’m looking for a program that is high academics and high athletics with great culture,” Port said. “They seem to have it all. Honestly, running out of the tunnel at The Shoe would be a total dream.”
Thus far, Port said his main recruiter with OSU has been quality control coach Brent Zdebski.
“He’s been my main point of contact and has been really awesome to work with,” Port said. “We call him often and he’s always great.”
In 10 games last season for San Juan Hills High School (San Juan Capistrano, California), Port recorded 91 total tackles (25 for loss) with 12 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries and two pass deflections.
“I’m an aggressive pass rusher and have an ability to get in the backfield and make plays,” Port said. “But I feel like I have a nose for the ball that works no matter where I am. I feel like once Iocked in, I’m hard to stop.”
Port plans on returning to Ohio State for either the season opener against Notre Dame or the season finale against Michigan this fall.
Stover confirms Notre Dame visit
One of Ohio State’s top targets in the 2024 cycle has confirmed he’ll soon be back in Columbus.
Four-star safety Garrett Stover, the cousin of OSU tight end Cade Stover, told Eleven Warriors he plans on attending the Buckeyes’ season opener against Notre Dame.
“I’m sure I’ll make it to a few (games),” Stover said. “As of right now, I’m definitely going to the Notre Dame game.”
Stover was offered by OSU after camping with the Buckeyes on June 1, and said he got emotional after receiving his offer.
“Coach Day called my mom and me to his office and he did it right there,” Stover said of his offer in June. “He put my dad on speakerphone too since he wasn’t there and said we’re offering your son a full scholarship to Ohio State. Obviously, that was a very exciting moment. I got emotional as well. It was really cool.”
Moore will attend season opener
One of Ohio State’s offensive lineman targets in the 2024 class has also confirmed he’ll be at the season opener on Sept. 3.
Four-star Indiana offensive lineman Ian Moore told Eleven Warriors he will visit Columbus for the Notre Dame game with his family.
Moore was offered by Ohio State on June 15 after excelling at an OSU camp.
“It felt amazing to get it,” Moore said in June after getting the offer. “When coach Day told me, I was speechless. He just told me I had a great day at camp and they really like me and told me I had an offer. If I had to rank (where the offer stands), it’d be pretty high on my list.”
