Ohio State is making a late run at a 2025 in-state defensive end.
Following the decommitment of four-star pass rusher Zahir Mathis, Larry Johnson made a move to fill that slot on Wednesday, offering four-star defensive end Chaz Coleman.
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Coleman is considered the No. 417 prospect in the 2025 cycle.
Ohio state offered!! @sirtrich @WGHFootball pic.twitter.com/1CXFSUiPdL
— Chaz Coleman (@chazcoleman_) November 20, 2024
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Coleman has been a relatively late bloomer in the recruiting cycle, as he’s only recently picked up a slew of offers from prestigious programs within the last few months, including Florida State and Penn State. Coleman committed to the Nittany Lions on Nov. 10, so the Buckeyes will need to flip him if they want him in the 2025 cycle.
OSU had interest in Coleman earlier this fall and had also worked him out at a recruiting camp in June. Coleman attended the Buckeyes’ game against Marshall in September. He left Columbus without an offer, but Ohio State became more aggressive following Mathis’ decommitment. It’s possible he could visit OSU again for the Michigan game, but either way, the Buckeyes will have to work fast to add Coleman since National Signing Day is in two weeks.
Of course, should he feel he needs more time to decide, he could delay signing until the February Signing Day.
In 12 games in his senior season, Coleman recorded 68 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, five sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, three interceptions, nine forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He often isn’t listed as a specific position by recruiting services because he’s played quarterback, tight end, linebacker and defensive end in his prep career, but he’ll be most effective on the edge in college. The Warren product was also effective on offense this season, completing 60 of 94 passes for 749 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also ran for 751 yards on 154 carries with seven rushing touchdowns and caught four passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
Five-star 2026 QB Jared Curtis not visiting OSU this weekend
Ohio State fans now have another reason to curse under their breath at the mention of noon games.
Five-star 2026 signal caller Jared Curtis was originally scheduled to be in attendance for the Buckeyes’ game against Indiana this weekend, but isn’t able to make the logistics work considering he has a playoff game the night before, per On3's Steve Wiltfong.
Curtis recently decommitted from Georgia and has begun taking visits to other schools as he reopens his recruitment. The Buckeyes were high on Curtis’ list before his commitment to Georgia and as of now he’s by far and away their No. 1 choice for a 2026 quarterback.
PJ Dean puts Ohio State in top eight
One of the top offensive linemen in the 2026 class has narrowed down his recruitment. Four-star North Carolina prospect PJ Dean released a top eight list on Wednesday consisting of Ohio State, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, Penn State and North Carolina State.
AGTG!! https://t.co/RFahULSCJI
— pj (@deanpj56) November 20, 2024
Dean picked up an offer from OSU in April. He’s considered the No. 30 prospect and the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class.
Breck Kolojay includes Buckeyes in top 12
Dean isn’t the only offensive line target to include the Buckeyes in a top schools list. Florida 2026 prospect Breck Kolojay put out a top 12 on Tuesday consisting of Alabama, Ohio State, Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, Michigan, Texas, LSU, Nebraska and Miami.
Top 12#Godspeed @SixZeroAcademy @_thebillymiller @IMGAFootball pic.twitter.com/gLmDJqWgfG
— Breck Kolojay (@breck_kolojay) November 19, 2024
Kolojay earned his offer from OSU in September and is rated the No. 257 prospect and No. 19 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class.
