Ohio State will soon find out if it will land one of its top targets in the 2025 recruiting class.
Five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez, the nation’s No. 2 cornerback per 247Sports’ composite rankings, will commit during the All-American Bowl broadcast, which begins at 1 p.m. Saturday on NBC. Sanchez is down to three finalists: Ohio State, Alabama and Texas A&M.
The Buckeyes are in the pole position to land his commitment less than 24 hours before the Texas product’s decision. Should Sanchez commit to OSU, the Buckeyes would be off to a terrific start to their secondary recruiting for the 2025 season, with a pair of top-100 overall prospects committed in Sanchez and cornerback Blake Woodby.
Sanchez isn’t the only prospect with a decision looming for the Buckeyes on Saturday. Four-star defensive end Christopher Burgess Jr. is also scheduled to commit during the broadcast on Saturday and will choose from a final four of Notre Dame, Ohio State, Alabama and Michigan.
While his decision is shrouded in a bit of mystery, Notre Dame seems like the most likely outcome for Burgess, though there’s still a puncher’s chance he could pick the Buckeyes. Should OSU miss out on Burgess, the Buckeyes will likely continue to pursue the Chicago product until he signs his National Letter of Intent.
Five Ohio State signees participating in All-American Bowl
Ohio State fans have more reasons to tune into Saturday’s broadcast than just the decisions of Sanchez and Burgess. Five 2024 OSU signees will play in the game for the East team: Five-star wideout Jeremiah Smith, five-star defensive end Eddrick Houston, four-star linebacker Garrett Stover, four-star offensive tackle Ian Moore and four-star running back James Peoples.
Following the game, all five of those prospects will head to Columbus to begin their collegiate careers and enroll early for their first semester of college.
Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins enters transfer portal
One of the best running backs in the SEC has entered the transfer portal. Ole Miss tailback Quinshon Judkins opted to transfer on Thursday after he became the first player in the SEC since Herschel Walker to score 15-plus touchdowns in each of his first two college seasons.
— Quinshon Judkins (@qaj4_) January 4, 2024
In 2023, Judkins ran for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns on 271 carries while adding 22 catches for 149 yards and two receiving touchdowns. In his freshman season, he ran for 1,567 yards on 274 carries with 16 rushing touchdowns.
There’s no doubt Judkins is now one of the best players available in the transfer portal. It’s possible Ohio State could get involved, but the Buckeyes are only likely to be a serious contender to land Judkins if running back TreVeyon Henderson declares for the NFL draft.
Eli Owens commits to Michigan
One of Ohio State’s 2025 tight end targets has committed to its archrival. Four-star 2025 Tennessee prospect Eli Owens committed to Michigan on Thursday, choosing the Wolverines over the Buckeyes, Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Wisconsin and USF.
To the leaders and best #committed @grant_newsome @alcoafootball @NatlPlaymkrsAca @NCEC_Recruiting @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/tXnXawicsS
— Eli Owens (@Eli_Owens19) January 4, 2024
Owens visited OSU several times over the past few months but ultimately ended up committing to the Wolverines instead. Four-star Oklahoma prospect Nate Roberts remains Ohio State’s top priority at tight end in the 2025 cycle and there remains optimism that OSU can land the coveted tight end.
Aaron Scott, Mylan Graham win Under Armour All-America Game
While five OSU signees will play in the All-American Bowl on Saturday, two Ohio State signees already participated in an all-star game earlier in the week. Five-star cornerback Aaron Scott and five-star wide receiver Mylan Graham were on the winning side of Wednesday’s Under Armour All-America Game as Team Ice rolled to a 39-9 victory over Team Fire.
Scott had four tackles and was solid in coverage throughout the game while Graham was held relatively quiet with one catch for one yard.
Scott will be on campus next week as an early enrollee, while Graham will be a summer enrollee in June.
