On the surface, this weekend’s game against Purdue projects to be a ho-hum affair, with the Buckeyes expected to rout the overmatched Boilermakers.
Yet, there will still be plenty of stakes attached to the matchup. It just will be on the recruiting end. In particular, running backs coach Carlos Locklyn will have his hands full, as three highly touted tailbacks are expected to be on campus. We’ll break down all three of them below.
Anthony Rogers
Of all recruiting visits this weekend, Rogers’ is probably the most crucial for Ohio State. Locklyn and the Buckeyes are still hoping to add a third running back in the 2025 class and the four-star Alabama prospect is far and away their top choice.
Rogers has been committed to Alabama since June 2023, but the Buckeyes have worked hard for months to secure a flip. They’re far from the only school to try and get Rogers to flip from his commitment, though, with the most notable challenger probably being Georgia.
Rogers took his first visit to Ohio State in May, and now he’ll take an official visit this weekend. Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Rogers is considered the No. 141 prospect and the No. 8 running back in the 2025 class. Locklyn and Rogers have developed a close bond throughout the recruiting process, which has been helped by Locklyn’s Alabama ties. It’ll be a fight through National Signing Day to attempt to flip Rogers, but the Buckeyes have a real shot here.
Savion Hiter
Moving to the 2026 class, the Buckeyes will host the No. 1 running back in that cycle this weekend. Five-star Virginia running back Savion Hiter will return to campus for the first time this fall and Locklyn will have a chance to grow his relationship with the standout 5-foot-11, 182-pound running back.
Excited to be back in Columbus this weekend @OhioStateFB#GoBucks @ryandaytime @Locklyn33 @TonyJCoach @lionwingcoach @CoachMcCannERT @Spotlight39_Pod @Bucknuts247 @Bill_Kurelic @alexgleitman @mickdwalker @RyanMayhew_ @Birm pic.twitter.com/VErpVXq4My
— Savion Cinco Hiter (High-ter) (@5starsavi) November 6, 2024
Hiter will visit OSU this weekend, then take a trip to Athens next week for Georgia’s game against Tennessee. The Virginia standout is considered the No. 20 prospect and No. 1 running back in the 2026 cycle.
Hiter has started to narrow down his recruitment and released a top-five list of Ohio State, Georgia, Tennessee, Penn State and Michigan last month. Making a big impression on Hiter would go a long way in securing his commitment for the next cycle.
Derrek Cooper
Hiter isn’t the only promising 2026 tailback expected to be on campus. The Buckeyes will also welcome four-star Florida tailback Derrek Cooper, a former high school teammate of Jeremiah Smith.
I will be at the Ohio state vs Purdue game this Saturday!! Go buckeyes @Locklyn33 @TonyJCoach @Jermiah_Smith1 @Bill_Kurelic @adamgorney @JohnGarcia_Jr @SWiltfong_
— Derrek Cooper (@DerrekCooper80) November 4, 2024
Smith showed his excitement on social media when he learned Cooper will be visiting this weekend, so having a guy like that in your back pocket as a potential peer recruiter certainly can’t hurt for Ohio State.
— Jeremiah Smith (@Jermiah_Smith1) November 5, 2024
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Cooper is rated the No. 28 prospect in the 2026 class and is also being recruited by some schools as a safety. In 10 games so far in his junior season, Cooper has run for 748 yards on 102 carries with 11 rushing touchdowns. He’s also caught eight passes for 90 yards and has returned kickoffs. Defensively, he’s added 26 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, three pass deflections, a forced fumble, a blocked punt and three fumble recoveries.
Jae Lamar picks up OSU offer
While those three highly rated running backs are headed to Columbus this weekend, another standout tailback just got an offer from Locklyn on Wednesday. Per his high school coach, four-star 2026 running back Jae Lamar was offered by Ohio State on Wednesday.
Very excited for @CCPackersFball RB, @Jaelamar34, on his offer from @OhioStateFB !!! @RecruitGeorgia @OhioStFootball pic.twitter.com/QKO7ShEymU
— Sean Calhoun (@CoachHoon) November 6, 2024
Lamar is considered the No. 191 prospect and the No. 14 running back in the 2026 class. He's earned 11 Division I offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Missouri, NC State, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
