Ohio State is on a roll in the 2025 recruiting class.
The Buckeyes have eight players committed so far this cycle and currently have the No. 4 recruiting class nationwide per 247Sports’ ratings. There’s obviously a long way to go between now and National Signing Day in December, but if more things break right for Ohio State, it could be a contender for the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation when all is said and done.
Following a January full of Ohio State coaches traveling all over the country to visit various prospects, the Buckeyes have put themselves in a good place with many prospects at different positions.
With unofficial visits set to resume in March after the dead period lifts, we examine the current state of each position for Ohio State's 2025 recruiting class.
Quarterback
Commits: Tavien St. Clair
Open spots: None
Potential other targets: N/A
Breakdown: This one is about as cut and dry as they come. Not counting Jontae Gilbert, who committed early and then later decommitted from Ohio State, St. Clair is the player who got the Buckeyes' recruiting class off and running last summer. Ohio State identified the in-state prospect early as their main target in 2025. It was able to land his commitment in a short timeframe, which seems to have paid dividends, considering the top-60 prospect’s national profile only continues to rise. Barring an unexpected Julian Sayin-like situation, St. Clair should be the only quarterback the Buckeyes take in the current cycle.
Running back
Commits: None
Open spots: Between two and three
Potential targets: Marquise Davis, Jordon Davison, Bo Jackson, Tory Blaylock, Byron Louis, Jeff Overton
Breakdown: Davis is a priority in-state target for Ohio State. Davison gives the Buckeyes a chance to break the Mater Dei curse and land a premier running back nationally. Bo Jackson should be a take based on his name alone, but he’s an excellent player. Blaylock and Louis are also both legitimate options, but neither is likely ahead of either Davis or Davison at the moment.
Wide receiver
Commits: Jayvan Boggs
Open spots: Between two and three
Potential targets: Jaime Ffrench Jr., Kaliq Lockett, Andrew Marsh, Winston Watkins Jr., Daylan McCutcheon, Phillip Bell, Naeshaun Montgomery, Edward Coleman, Vernell Brown
Breakdown: Boggs could see a surge in his recruiting ranking with another standout season, as the Florida prospect is already drawing rave reviews for his eye-popping junior campaign. The five-star Ffrench seems to be trending toward Ohio State, which would give Brian Hartline yet another crown jewel of another recruiting class. Lockett, Marsh, Watkins, Bell, and Montgomery are all dynamic playmakers, and it may be a matter of who wants into the 2025 class first for some of the listed targets above.
Tight end
Commits: None
Open spots: Between one and two
Potential targets: Nate Roberts, Brock Schott, Luka Gilbert, Landon Pace
Breakdown: There’s no secret Roberts is priority No. 1 on Keenan Bailey’s wishlist. Even if Ohio State landed him, the Buckeyes could still take two tight ends in the cycle as they did in 2024 with Damarion Witten and Max LeBlanc. Schott, Gilbert and Pace are all legitimate options for that No. 2 spot.
Offensive line
Commits: Carter Lowe
Open spots: Between two and four
Potential targets: David Sanders Jr., Michael Fasusi, Micah DeBose, Douglas Utu, Lamont Rogers, Avery Gach, Mason Short, Matty Augustine, Josh Petty, Jayvon McFadden
Breakdown: Justin Frye has already landed a much-needed premier offensive tackle in Lowe this cycle. But his job is far from finished. Ohio State still needs at least one more high-impact tackle to feel good about the 2025 cycle, with DeBose, Fasusi and Sanders all being plausible options at the top of the mountain. Utu, Rogers, Gach and Short would also be much welcome additions if the Buckeyes can land any of them. McFadden is projected as an interior offensive lineman but could be a nice developmental piece if Frye can land the New Jersey product.
Defensive line
Commits: Zahir Mathis
Open spots: Between three and five
Potential targets: London Merritt, Justin Hill, Zion Grady, Nasir Wyatt, Isaiah Gibson, Mariyon Dye, Elijah Griffin, Nathaniel Marshall, Maxwell Roy, Trent Wilson, Myron Charles, Trajen Odom, Brandon Caesar, Jarquez Carter, Landon Rink
Breakdown: Considering the roster turnover for Ohio State next season, there will certainly be plenty of need for defensive linemen in the 2025 cycle. Merritt and Hill are clear priorities at this point on the edge, and we’ll see how quickly things move with the newly offered Grady. Dye is another potential impact addition at defensive end. On the interior, Wilson, Caesar, Carter and Rink are all legitimate options for the Buckeyes.
Linebacker
Commits: Eli Lee
Open spots: Between one and two
Potential targets: Tarvos Alford, Riley Pettijohn, Anthony Sacca, Madden Faraimo, Elijah Barnes, Gavin Nix, Elijah Melendez, Abduall Sanders Jr.
Breakdown: Considering how many times James Laurinaitis has visited him, it’s pretty clear Alford is Ohio State’s top choice at linebacker, with a decision date approaching soon in March. Beyond that, the Buckeyes have coveted Faraimo and Melendez, though the latter would have to flip from Miami. Sacca also can’t be ruled out to possibly end up in Ohio State’s class.
Cornerback
Commits: Na’eem Offord, Devin Sanchez, Blake Woodby
Open spots: One
Potential targets: Dorian Brew, Mark Zackery
Breakdown: This one is pretty simple. If Brew wants in, that will probably wrap up cornerback recruiting for the 2025 cycle, assuming the core stays intact through December. If Tim Walton lands yet another five-star cornerback to add to his already ridiculous class, the rest of the country will have been put on notice.
Safety
Commits: None
Open spots: Between two and three
Potential targets: Faheem Delane, Trey McNutt, Jonah Williams, James Johnson, Messiah Delhomme, DeShawn Stewart, Jadyn Hudson, Cody Haddad
Breakdown: Delane and McNutt are far and away Ohio State’s top preferences at safety, with Walton and Matt Guerrieri ensuring that both are seen as priorities. From there, the in-state Haddad could be the target for the third spot, though the Buckeyes would have to flip him from Wisconsin to add him to their 2025 corps.
