Ohio State offered two standout prospects from the 2026 class on Thursday.
We’ll break down each of those offers below.
Jonaz Walton
Carlos Locklyn continued his southern swing on Thursday by offering four-star Georgia product Jonaz Walton.
#AGTG I am blessed to have received an offer from @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/qAg1rZrti5
— Jonaz Walton (@JonazWalton) May 2, 2024
Walton is considered the No. 83 overall prospect and No. 8 running back in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. The 5-foot-9, 200-pound prospect has earned nearly 20 Division I offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, UCF, USC, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
As a sophomore, Walton ran for 1,683 yards on 192 carries with 22 rushing touchdowns. He added 24 catches for 272 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown as well.
Jakobe Clapper
Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis made an important stop to Cincinnati on Thursday and offered in-state prospect Jakobe Clapper.
Im honored to receive an offer from The Ohio State University. #goBuckeyes@OhioStateFB @StXFB @COACHSPECHT28 @JLaurinaitis55 @Brodbeckj02 @RUNBYU @AllenTrieu @Dale_Dowden pic.twitter.com/ZVGfZxRLDK
— Jakobe clapper (@Clapper2026) May 2, 2024
The 6-foot-2, 196-pound Clapper is ranked the No. 225 prospect and the No. 17 linebacker prospect in the 2026 cycle. He’s earned nearly 20 Division I offers, including Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
In Clapper’s sophomore year, he recorded 90 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception and three pass breakups.
Bo Jackson down to three schools
One of Ohio State’s priority running back targets in the 2025 class has narrowed down his recruitment to three schools. Four-star 2025 running back Bo Jackson told Eleven Warriors Thursday he’s down to Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama in his recruitment and will take official visits to all three schools.
Very blessed and humbled Huge thanks to all the schools that invited me to do an OV but I can only OV 3@AlabamaFTBL @OhioStateFB @GeorgiaFootball pic.twitter.com/gmTY8NTNv4
— Bo Jackson (@BoJackson2025) May 3, 2024
Jackson will visit Georgia May 17-19, Ohio State May 31-June 2 and Alabama June 7-9. He hopes to make a decision sometime this summer after he takes his official visits. The in-state prospect spoke with reporters after Sunday’s Under Armour camp in Canton and said he’s intrigued by playing in Chip Kelly’s offense and talks with new running backs coach Carlos Locklyn every other day.
“It’s been really good, we’ve been talking probably every other day,” Jackson said of his relationship with Locklyn since he arrived at Ohio State. “It’s a nice relationship right now. We just talk casually and he wants to know what I’ve got going on.”
Ohio State is in a good position with Jackson, a top-75 prospect in 2025, ahead of his upcoming official visit. But the Buckeyes will need to continue to showcase how much of a priority he is to win his recruitment.
OSU connected to pair of transfer safeties
The spring transfer portal window has come and gone, with minimal attrition setting in from Ohio State’s side.
Still, the Buckeyes lost two safeties in Ja’Had Carter and Cedrick Hawkins and are interested in adding more depth at the position. It wouldn’t be surprising if OSU takes two safety transfers within the next few weeks. Per a source, there is mutual interest between OSU and former Michigan State safety Jaden Mangham.
In the 2023 season, Mangham primarily played free safety for the Spartans, playing in 11 games and recording 53 tackles, four interceptions, a fumble recovery and three pass deflections. He’d have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Another prospective safety target could be former Sacramento State safety Cameron Broussard. Though he played at the FCS level, Broussard was a standout for Sacramento State last season as he recorded 127 tackles, four interceptions and 14 pass breakups, earning first-team All-Big Sky honors. Broussard is entering his senior season and was a three-star recruit in the 2020 recruiting class. He is expected to take an official visit to OSU sometime next week.
Speaking of transfers, Ohio State was briefly connected to former Michigan State defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the second go-around of his transfer portal adventures. But any speculation didn’t last any longer than 24 hours as Harmon committed to Oregon on Friday. Speaking of Oregon, that Buckeyes vs. Ducks matchup in October is going to be something.
BREAKING: Former Michigan State Standout DL Derrick Harmon has Committed to Oregon, he tells @on3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 3, 2024
The 65 325 DL totaled 69 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, & 1 FF in his time with the Spartans
Was the Top Available DL in the Portal (per On3) https://t.co/i5HzDgZd5M pic.twitter.com/zq6Z17FSTn
Avery Gach commits to Michigan
One of Ohio State’s offensive line targets for the 2025 class is off the board.
As expected, four-star Michigan offensive lineman Avery Gach chose the Wolverines over Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin, opting to play in his home state and for the Buckeyes’ archrival.
Ann Arbor Im home pic.twitter.com/5fmphIsy2R
— Avery Gach (@AveryGach) May 3, 2024
Ohio State currently has Carter Lowe committed for the 2025 class but hopes to add at least two more offensive linemen by Signing Day.
