Ohio State has made the cut in the trimmed-down schools list of one of the top defensive ends in the 2025 class.
Four-star Philadelphia prospect Zahir Mathis put out a top 12 on Monday that includes Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan, Texas A&M, LSU, South Carolina, USC, Penn State, Florida and Florida State.
Talk to me Nice ! Big 12
— Zahir Mathis (@ZahirMathis5) August 7, 2023
@Cywoodland @RivalsFriedman @BrianDohn247 @SWiltfong247 pic.twitter.com/llzkU15jEQ
Mathis earned his OSU offer in May and attended an Ohio State recruiting camp in June to have the experience of working out with defensive line coach Larry Johnson. Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Mathis is the 42th-best player and the fifth-ranked edge prospect in the 2025 class.
“It was great. Told me about my work ethic, I love his coaching staff,” Mathis said after the camp. “(They) did me well, helped me out with some reps. I lost some reps, then I won some reps, so it was pretty good for me just to come down here and consume that input. I'll try to get back sometime for a game, absolutely. Come down for a game to realize that atmosphere, I want to get down here to the Buckeyes."
Mathis grew up idolizing former Buckeye defensive end Chase Young, a player he said made a strong impact on him.
“I learned about Larry Johnson (because of) Chase Young,” Mathis said. “The year Chase Young (dominated). It just impacted a big image on me because Chase Young was coming from the DMV and everything like that. Myself, I'm from Philadelphia, so just to be so close to home and everything, see his big impact on the world and everything like that. And then Larry Legend himself had both of the Bosa brothers. So it was pretty great.”
Blake Woodby includes Buckeyes in his top 12
Mathis wasn’t the only OSU 2025 target to include the Buckeyes in a top schools list. Four-star Maryland cornerback Blake Woodby released a top 12 on Tuesday consisting of OSU, Maryland, Rutgers, Oregon, Notre Dame, Alabama, Miami, Arizona State, Tennessee, Boston College, Stanford and Clemson.
& then there where 12. #SBG #Blessed @CoachJdubSFA @CoachMessay @RivalsFriedman @CraigHaubert pic.twitter.com/oSUcXPi5Ex
— Blake Bobble Woodby (@blake_woodby) August 8, 2023
Woodby was offered by OSU on Dec. 12. He’s considered the 86th-ranked prospect and 11th-best cornerback in the 2025 cycle.
“I was a big Miami fan when I was younger, but as I started to understand football and the position I wanted to play, I realized Ohio State is DBU,” Woodby told Eleven Warriors after being offered. “I want to play at the next level, and I want to watch the next level. I wanted to watch the best and they produce the best.
“Just growing up watching Ohio State and seeing all the guys they produce in the league as far as cornerbacks go, it’s just an ultimate level I want to reach one day. It means the world.”
Woodby received his OSU offer from safeties coach Perry Eliano.
“Coach told me he watched my film, saw how I played and loved it,” Woodby said of his conversation with Eliano. “We hopped on the phone and got to talking. His first question for me was do I love football? I told him, ‘I’d die for football.' We connected on the point to where he told me he coached Sauce Gardner and told me what type of player he was on and off the field. Not only did he point out Sauce was good on the field, he pointed out Sauce had a 3.4 GPA and that you have to take care of your business off the field as well.”
Peyton Woodyard flips from Georgia to Alabama
An Ohio State target has flipped his commitment, but not to the Buckeyes. Four-star 2024 California safety Peyton Woodyard announced he’s flipping from Georgia to Alabama on Tuesday, giving the Crimson Tide a top-100 prospect.
RTR! @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/KstAiL2UDW
— Peyton Woodyard (@peypey_wood) August 8, 2023
OSU hosted Woodyard on visits in the spring and in June, but ultimately wasn’t able to land the California prospect. With just Jaylen McClain committed to its 2024 class, the Buckeyes will continue to pursue Zaquan Patterson as their top remaining safety target on the board.
Another safety who was previously committed to Georgia and also had an offer from Ohio State, Jaylen Heyward, announced his commitment to UCF on Tuesday.
This ! #Hometownhero #GoKnights #chargeon @CoachGusMalzahn @CoachWilliams_7 @CoachDavidGibbs pic.twitter.com/g4D5XYaqZc
— Jaylen Ap Heyward (@Jayasii) August 8, 2023
Between Woodyard and Heyward’s decommitments from the Bulldogs and in-state prospect KJ Bolden committing to Florida State, Georgia does not have any safeties committed to its 2024 class, though it still has the No. 1 class – and is the only team ranked ahead of Ohio State – in 247Sports’ composite rankings.
