Last month brought no shortage of feel-good stories to Ohio State on the recruiting trail.
Two 2025 Ohio prospects worked out in Columbus multiple times in June and eventually found themselves as part of the 2025 class: Wide receiver Bodpegn Miller and offensive lineman Jake Cook.
On June 23, Ohio State gave itself the chance for a third fairy tale ending by offering three-star Ohio wideout Preston Bowman, who was one of the more impressive performers during the Buckeyes’ June recruiting camp circuit. Bowman camped four times with the Buckeyes and always made a strong impression during individual drills and one-on-ones.
Had a great time competing today at Ohio state. 60 196 almost cracking 4.4 @RecruitPN @CoachPruiett @Kstaff07 @brianhartline @CoachJordan82 @ryandaytime @RyanMayhew_ @N_Murph @mickdwalker @Birm @MarcGivler @MattParkerLR @AllenTrieu @TomLoy247 pic.twitter.com/bMydaGFgEa
— Preston Bowman (@PrestonBowman9) June 5, 2024
Amid a vacation in Puerto Rico, Bowman received a phone call from Ryan Day letting him know he received a scholarship opportunity from the Buckeyes. Bowman’s mind immediately drifted elsewhere, as he thought of his late childhood friend, Christian Scott, who died a few days after a pool-related accident in 2022. Bowman promised Scott he’d work hard enough to earn an offer from OSU. On June 23, he honored his friend’s request.
“It was definitely cool just with them being who they are and me being who I am getting that offer. I really was doing it for my friend who passed away, I promised him I was going to get one from Ohio State,” Bowman told Eleven Warriors. “I didn’t care how I got it, I just knew I was going to get it. It was great to get it.”
AGTG Blessed to received my 16th offer from THE Ohio State University @RecruitPN @ryandaytime @brianhartline @CoachJordan82 @mickdwalker @Birm @MattParkerLR @AllenTrieu @Bill_Kurelic pic.twitter.com/IzYUeHp0WX
— Preston Bowman (@PrestonBowman9) June 23, 2024
Once he heard the news, a sense of attainment hit Bowman.
“It definitely was (an emotional moment),” Bowman said of getting the offer and knowing he had completed his pledge to his friend. “There have also been ups and downs throughout this process. To finally fulfill that promise, it definitely hit me a little bit.”
A lifelong Ohioan, Bowman also grew up rooting for the Buckeyes and has been a frequent visitor on campus in the past year.
happy fathers days pops appreciate everything youve done for me @gbo415 pic.twitter.com/yxywr3WuMC
— Preston Bowman (@PrestonBowman9) June 16, 2024
“Just being from Ohio and being in their backyard and getting an offer, it’s definitely cool,” Bowman said. “(Coach Day) told me that I had just been putting in the work and they’ve seen it at all the camps. They were impressed by the way I went about myself and competed. I don’t think they really expected that. I also went to Michigan and Kentucky camps and did my thing. At (OSU’s) seven-on-seven, I went crazy. I don’t know how many touchdowns I had, but I was being me, but at the next level. I’ve really been working.”
straight work pic.twitter.com/CknxiF97Ed
— Preston Bowman (@PrestonBowman9) June 28, 2024
The timing of Bowman’s offer wasn’t exactly ideal, though, as he had just committed to Kentucky around 12 hours prior.
Since he’s gotten his OSU offer, Bowman said he’s heard from Buckeyes coaches “here and there” as they attempt to continue to build their relationship with him. For now, Bowman maintains that he’s “locked in” with Kentucky, though.
“I’m a Wildcat for sure,” Bowman said. “I just committed, so I’m locked in with Kentucky.”
Bowman says out of respect for the Wildcats, he doesn’t currently plan on taking any visits to OSU this fall and expressed his loyalty to Kentucky multiple times. But it’s a long way to December’s National Signing Day, and OSU was Bowman’s favorite childhood team. So who knows what may happen if the Buckeyes’ staff really pushes for him in the fall.
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Bowman is considered the No. 1,267 prospect and the No. 183 wideout in the 2025 class. The 6-foot, 190-pound recruit now has 16 Division I offers, including from Michigan and Louisville.
As a junior for Pickerington North, Bowman caught 43 passes for 713 yards and nine touchdowns. Bowman says he plans to be an early enrollee in college and graduate high school in December.
“I’m a hard-nosed player and my work ethic is through the roof,” Bowman said of his on-field ability. “I don’t just say that, I’m about it. I’m not just a talker. I’m always in the lab, I can play outside, I can play inside, I can go in motion, I’m a complete receiver. I like comparing myself to Deebo Samuel and Ja’Marr Chase. I’m a little of a mix between those two and I like blocking. I just want to be out there and want to compete.”
OSU currently has three wide receivers committed in its 2025 class, including Miller, Quincy Porter and De’zie Jones. The Buckeyes hope to take between one and two more, and Bowman could be a factor for one of those spots if OSU can eventually flip him from Kentucky.
