The first offensive lineman Ohio State offered in the 2026 recruiting class was back on campus Saturday for a visit when he attended the Buckeyes’ spring game.
“Overall my family and I had a great time,” Ohio prospect Maxwell Riley told Eleven Warriors of his spring game visit. “The coaches I talked to were coach Ryan Day, coach Justin Frye, and coach Mike Sollenne. We talked a lot about track and throwing, also how my workouts were going, etc."
Had a great time at The Ohio State Spring Game, thank you again for the hospitality @CoachJFrye @CoachSollenne @etwill21 @ryandaytime. @coachkostelnik @CoachLowe212 @DaleRodick pic.twitter.com/Noep2lCLVf
— Maxwell Riley (@bigmax2026) April 15, 2023
It was Riley’s second time at OSU, the first coming in late March, when he picked up an OSU offer from Ryan Day. He was the first offensive lineman offered by OSU in the 2026 cycle.
“That was a surreal experience," Riley said after receiving his OSU offer. "I grew up an Ohio State fan and always watched them on Saturdays with my dad and grandpa. Finally getting to meet them in person and experience that was pretty cool. He wanted to offer me because of my potential.”
Riley started at both left and right tackle for Avon Lake last season as a freshman and figures to be one of the top prospects in Ohio in the 2026 class. As of now, he's up to six Division I offers, with Michigan, Penn State, Miami, Florida State and Toledo all offering the 6-foot-5, 263-pound product.
“I just knew the earlier I got on a varsity football field, the more likely I’d play Division I football,” Riley said. “So I worked really hard and got it done. I think rotating between left and right tackle helped me a lot, but I think I’ll play left tackle for the rest of my high school career.”
Growing up an OSU fan, Riley said he idolized former Buckeye legend Orlando Pace.
“Definitely Orlando Pace,” Riley said when asked about his OSU idol. “He’s one of the greatest offensive linemen of all-time in my opinion. He invented the pancake.”
Speaking of pancakes, Riley has his eyes set on breaking Avon Lake’s career pancake record of 70, which should be in reach for him his sophomore year after he recorded nearly 40 pancakes in his freshman season.
“That’s the plan,” Riley said of setting the record this year. “That would be leaving a legacy and hopefully I can keep building on it and keep breaking it every year.”
Taylor Tatum visiting OSU today
Ohio State is hosting one of its top remaining running back targets in the 2024 class on a visit today as four-star Texas running back Taylor Tatum is making his first trek to Columbus, according to 247Sports.
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound Tatum is considered the 33rd-best prospect nationally and the second-ranked running back in the 2024 cycle. He picked up his OSU offer on Jan. 17 and holds more than 30 Division I offers.
In 2022, Tatum helped lead Longview High School (Longview, Texas) to a 14-1 record. In 13 games, he ran for 1,840 yards on 206 carries (8.9 yards per carry) with nine 100-yard rushing performances and 33 rushing touchdowns. He added 12 receptions for 160 yards and three touchdowns on the receiving end, giving him more than 2,000 all-purpose yards.
Taz Williams Jr. also visiting today
Ohio State is also hosting a talented wide receiver in the 2025 class on Friday in four-star Texas wideout Taz Williams Jr.
Thee Ohio State University tomorrow #Buckeyes #GoBucks @OhioStateFB @tOSUFootball @rohawksfootball @SkysTheLimitWR @210ths pic.twitter.com/KVKIfrDPtl
— $ (@Taz_1x) April 20, 2023
Williams, considered the 210th-best player and 29th-rated wideout in the 2025 class, has already picked up nearly 30 Division I offers, though Ohio State has yet to offer the 5-foot-11, 165-pound product. Schools that have offered include Alabama, Auburn, Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Colorado, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and West Virginia.
