One official visit weekend is down with three more to go.
Friday kicks off the second official visit weekend in Columbus, with 10 official visitors from the 2025 class stopping on campus to spend a few days with the OSU coaching staff for the second week in a row.
Players expected to be on campus this weekend in an official visit capacity are as follows:
- Four-star safety Faheem Delane
- Four-star safety Cody Haddad (commit)
- Four-star defensive tackle Trajen Odom
- Four-star defensive end Damien Shanklin
- Four-star wide receiver Quincy Porter
- Four-star wide receiver De’zie Jones (commit)
- Four-star linebacker Eli Lee (commit)
- Four-star offensive tackle Jackson Lloyd
- Three-star offensive lineman Andrew Stargel
- Three-star offensive lineman Jayvon McFadden
Delane is the most highly touted of the bunch, as the Maryland prospect is on the fringe of being a five-star prospect and is considered the No. 2 safety in the class. The Buckeyes have long been seen as the favorite nationally to land Delane and there’s no reason not to believe that still holds firm. Delane has official visits to Oregon and LSU set for the next two weeks, but if things go well enough this weekend, perhaps there won’t be a need for him to take those trips.
this weekend pic.twitter.com/AI9CDael4x
— Faheem Delane (@faheemdelane) June 7, 2024
Porter will be another crucial visitor for the Buckeyes as his recruitment seems to be between Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. Brian Hartline has Porter near the top of his recruiting wish list and the Buckeyes’ staff will ensure the New Jersey product feels like a priority this weekend.
Shanklin and Odom are two notable defensive linemen arriving on campus, so expect Larry Johnson to be a busy man. It may be fair to consider OSU the favorite for Odom at the moment, with USC, UCLA and Oregon seen as the main competition. On the other hand, LSU is likely the current leader for Shanklin, but the Buckeyes have plenty of time to change that considering the Indiana prospect won’t commit until late August.
It’s also another big weekend for offensive line coach Justin Frye. Three priority linemen will be on campus in Lloyd, Stargel and McFadden. The Buckeyes are relatively new to Lloyd’s recruitment, but the California prospect has included OSU in his top six schools and is actively considering what the team has to offer. Alabama is the favorite for Lloyd for now, but we’ll see where things stand after the visit.
Cant wait to get back in Columbus this weekend! pic.twitter.com/SBnMt9wcpj
— Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloyd77) June 3, 2024
I will be back in Columbus today for my OV!! @CoachJFrye @CoachSollenne pic.twitter.com/KXNfFELaqA
— Andrew Stargel 3 (@astargel34) June 7, 2024
Stargel and McFadden may be rated three-star prospects, but OSU values both as crucial pieces for its class. McFadden’s only scheduled official visit at the moment is to Columbus, which bodes well for the Buckeyes’ chances here. Stargel has another official visit set for Kentucky on June 21 a few weeks before his July 4 commitment date, but there’s no reason to think the Buckeyes can’t win this recruitment if they push for him this weekend.
Three of OSU’s 13 commits in the 2025 class – Lee, Jones and Haddad – will be on campus for their official visits. Tight end Nate Roberts and quarterback Tavien St. Clair will also be on campus as unofficial visitors, with St. Clair visiting for the second weekend in a row.
Columbus tomorrow for my OV! #GoBucks @CoachJimKnowles @JLaurinaitis55 @CoachMcGrath22 pic.twitter.com/S5CSO5ouDQ
— Eli Lee (@EliLee12) June 7, 2024
this weekend for my OV! #gobucks pic.twitter.com/fUK8vK0Txr
— Cody Haddad (@cody_haddad) June 7, 2024
Jaime Ffrench committing Aug. 30
A wide receiver who has been connected to Ohio State for months is closing in on a decision. Five-star wide receiver Jaime Ffrench Jr. told On3 Friday he’ll commit on Aug. 30 and choose from a list of five finalists: LSU, Miami, Texas, Tennessee and Ohio State.
Ffrench has made waves publicly the last few weeks saying three schools were ahead of the Buckeyes in his recruitment, but now insists all five are on equal footing and that he doesn’t have a clear leader in his recruitment.
The Florida prospect doesn’t have an official visit to OSU set before his announcement but says he plans to visit Columbus after his commitment date nonetheless. Even so, it appears wise to take the field over OSU for Ffrench at this point.
Heze Kent puts OSU in top 10
An Ohio State tight end target in the 2026 class has narrowed down his recruitment. Four-star 2026 Georgia prospect Heze Kent released a top 10 on Thursday consisting of OSU, Colorado, Florida State, Kentucky, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Tennessee and USC.
I appreciate all of the Coaches that has taken the time to recruit me. Ive narrowed down to my Top 10.@BrunswickFB @CoachGGrady @CoachSean_CAV @CoachBelker @BWickPiratesDC @CoachSaunds @On3Recruits @cfb_recruits @RecruitGeorgia @247recruiting @Rivals @912Recruits pic.twitter.com/FedSVJc2Wr
— Heze superman Kent7 (@HezeKent) June 6, 2024
Kent is considered the No. 138 prospect and No. 7 tight end in 247Sports’ composite rankings for the 2026 class. He was offered by OSU on May 14.
In 11 games last season, Kent caught 17 passes for 394 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He was also used as a running back, running for 360 yards with five rushing touchdowns on 45 carries.
