Four-star 2025 Maryland Cornerback Blake Woodby Commits to Ohio State

The Buckeyes landed their first defensive recruit of the 2025 cycle on Saturday with the commitment of four-star Maryland cornerback Blake Woodby.

I was born two-months early, but I was right on time. Born ready Now Im ready to share my commitment to THE Ohio State. Go Bucks! @OhioStateFB #BIA pic.twitter.com/NHtJQzSe5A

— Blake Bobble Woodby (@blake_woodby) October 15, 2023

Woodby chose the Buckeyes over other finalists Oregon, Alabama, Clemson and Tennessee. Ohio State received the final visit from Woodby before his commitment and showed him enough on his trip to Columbus for the Maryland game on Oct. 7 to secure his commitment. He's expected to return to OSU for the Buckeyes' game against Penn State next week. But this time he'll be on campus as a commit.

With Woodby in the fold, the Buckeyes have a solid start to their 2025 cycle, with wide receiver Jayvan Boggs joining the class earlier this week and in-state quarterback Tavien St. Clair giving his verbal pledge over the summer.

Perry Eliano offered Woodby on Dec. 12, but Tim Walton also helped lead the charge to land the talented Maryland prospect. 

“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 shortly after he received his offer. “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.”

BREAKING: Four-Star CB Blake Woodby has Committed to Ohio State!

The Top 100 Recruit in the 25 Class chose the Buckeyes over Oregon, Tennessee, Clemson, & Alabama

Ohio State has a great reputation for their back end. I wanna be the next great Ohio State corner! pic.twitter.com/GgYSmt1FD9

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 14, 2023

St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland) has long been considered a prep football powerhouse on the East Coast, and Woodby is the first SFA player ever to commit to Ohio State. Woodby is Ohio State's first cornerback commit of the 2025 prospect, but the Buckeyes certainly don't envision him being their last. If all goes according to plan, OSU could turn in quite a haul for its secondary in the 2025 cycle. Highly touted prospects such as Dorian Brew, Devin Sanchez, Trey McNutt, Na'eem Offord, Faheem Delane, Devin Williams, Mark Zackery, Jonah Williams, Jadyn Hudson, Anthony Sacca and Ethan Long all have interest in the Buckeyes.

Woodby brings lockdown cornerback potential to the Buckeyes

Per 247Sports' composite rankings, Woodby is considered the 79th-best prospect and the ninth-rated cornerback in the 2025 cycle. He could have played wide receiver if he preferred, as some schools that were interested in Woodby offered him as a wideout. Ultimately, he felt the better path forward for him was on defense, and playing the in the Buckeyes' secondary in particular. 

“Coach told me he watched my film, saw how I played and loved it,” Woodby said of his conversation with Eliano after he received his offer. “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.” 

Woodby grew up watching and admiring former Ohio State standout Marshon Lattimore and tries to incorporate parts of his game into his own. 

“When I watch corners, I try to look at players that I imitate their game,” Woodby said. “I see a lot of me in Lattimore in terms of the style we play. He’s not the biggest or fastest guy, but week in and week out, he’s doing what he needs to do and plays with the best receivers.” 

Woodby has typically lined up as an outside cornerback for St. Frances Academy and often displays the quick closing speed needed to shut down comeback or curl routes even when he's playing a few yards off the ball in pre-snap. He's a very shifty player and consistently showcases the speed needed to cover faster wideouts on deep routes. Woodby relishes contact, sometimes finding his way into the backfield to limit running plays after he makes his read and also isn't afraid to use his physicality to break up a pass.