We’re about two-and-a-half months away from the Early Signing Period.
Ohio State is sitting pretty with its 2025 class, holding the No. 1-ranked recruiting class with 26 commits. National Signing Day has been moved up to Dec. 4 this year, which could set up a chaotic week as the Buckeyes may also be preparing for a conference championship game taking place a few days later.
With the Early Signing Period fast approaching, we take a look at the three biggest Ohio State storylines between now and then for the class of 2025.
What other recruits will Ohio State add?
While things seem quiet for now, it’s important to remember recruitments can move quickly in the final stretch. Four of OSU’s 21 commits in the 2024 class committed in mid-September or later last fall: Dominic Kirks, Leroy Roker, Gabe VanSickle and Eric Mensah.
So, what positions could the Buckeyes still potentially add at?
Many fans are hoping the answer is offensive line, and OSU is still working diligently there. Justin Frye offered four-star Georgia Tech offensive tackle commit Damola Ajidahun earlier this month and the Georgia product is expected to take an official visit to Columbus sometime this fall. Ohio State is also still pursuing four-star Alabama commit Micah DeBose, though that one is more of a longshot than Ajidahun.
It’s no secret Carlos Locklyn hopes to add a third running back to OSU’s 2025 class. The likeliest candidate to fit that mold is four-star Alabama running back commit Anthony Rogers, who plans on taking an official visit to OSU this fall.
It’s going to be a tall task flipping four-star defensive tackle Malik Autry away from Auburn, but there’s at least a puncher’s chance it could happen. Autry took an official visit to OSU over the summer and plans to be back in Columbus for the Michigan game in November.
The Buckeyes are staying aggressive and trying to flip in-state prospects Dorian Brew, Justin Hill and Preston Bowman away from their current commitments, though that’s easier said than done.
Can the Buckeyes hold off other schools attempting to flip their recruits?
While recruiting giveth, it also can taketh away. A handful of OSU commits are still being pursued by other schools, notably Zahir Mathis, Tarvos Alford and Na’eem Offord. Penn State is the primary challenger for Mathis, Florida State and Miami are hot on the heels of Alford and Auburn and Oregon are lying in wait for Offord.
Fortunately, all three of OSU’s commits are expected to return to Columbus next month for a visit and are far from a sure thing to flip elsewhere. Of the three in question, Offord’s status is probably the most worrisome, as the five-star Alabama prospect has taken multiple visits to Auburn and will be at Oregon’s game against OSU on Oct. 12.
It probably doesn’t hurt that the Tigers’ season appears headed for disaster following a 2-2 start, which could give Offord more to think about before he makes a final decision.
Will OSU finish as the No. 1 overall recruiting class for the first time ever?
Ohio State hasn’t secured a No. 1 recruiting class title since the modern recruiting rankings became a thing, but that could change this season. Per 247Sports’ national rankings, the Buckeyes hold the No. 1 spot currently with 312.29 points. Alabama (303.21 points), LSU (295.80), Auburn (289.79), Georgia (288.83) and Texas (285.49) round out the top six.
Each team in the running for the top spot could have additions and players poached away, but for the first time in a while at this point in the recruiting calendar, Ohio State seems to have a clear shot at winning the 2025 recruiting crown.
