Ohio State has only two home games remaining, but both are massive recruiting opportunities.
The first comes with the billing of a top-five matchup on Saturday, with a few dozen highly touted prospects expected to be in attendance.
Regarding the most immediate needs, all eyes will be on Tim Walton as the Buckeyes host two cornerbacks from the 2025 class on official visits.
Three-star Georgia cornerback Jordyn Woods returns to Columbus for the second time in a month to take a closer look at OSU considering he was offered by Walton a few weeks ago. Woods has been committed to Cincinnati, but there’s a feeling this could go Ohio State’s way if the Buckeyes make a big push for him.
OSU also hosts three-star Michigan State commit Aydan West, who Walton has been quietly scouting for the past month or so. It would be an upset if West didn’t leave Columbus with an offer this weekend, as the Buckeyes will have to flip him quickly if they so choose. West is also expected to visit Michigan State again next weekend.
We’ll see if Ohio State would be willing to take four cornerbacks, which of course assumes Na’eem Offord’s flirtations with other schools don’t materialize and he remains in OSU’s 2025 class. But should he flip elsewhere, it’s clear Walton has been doing his homework on contingency plans.
As you’d expect, there’s no shortage of premier 2026 visitors, either.
Two five-star prospects in the secondary should be at Ohio Stadium, including the No. 1 safety (Blaine Bradford) and the No. 1 cornerback (Elbert Hill) in the cycle. Bradford is visiting for the first time since working out with OSU at a recruiting camp in June, while Hill has been a frequent visitor to Columbus over the past year.
Ohio State fans always love hearing about offensive linemen, so we can tell you that top-100 offensive tackle Micah “Champ” Smith will be on campus Saturday. Smith may be an out of state prospect, but he’s visited OSU numerous times throughout his recruitment and has always been high on the Buckeyes.
Brian Hartline will have his eyes on Devin Carter, a top-35 wide receiver in the 2026 cycle. Four-star defensive end Zavion Griffin-Haynes was high on Ohio State before committing to North Carolina this fall, but he’s still showing interest in the Buckeyes by coming back to campus for a game.
BACK IN COLUMBUS THIS WEEKEND ! #GoBucks @R2X_Rushmen1 @CoachJimKnowles @CoachLCTrenches @N_Murph @CoachLyberger @RRACKLEY9 pic.twitter.com/JMCMmFiCqR
— Zavion Griffin-Haynes (@ZavionGH) November 18, 2024
Ohio cornerback Jakob Weatherspoon has also been a frequent visitor to Ohio State lately and he’ll make another gameday visit this Saturday. Weatherspoon has always insisted he’ll do his due diligence in his recruitment but the Buckeyes certainly feel like they’re starting to separate here.
In Columbus this weekend@ryandaytime @OGWalt_ @CoachDuHart @coach_elderm pic.twitter.com/gue72rcQCV
— Jakob Weatherspoon (@spoonjw) November 21, 2024
Top-100 safety Joey O’Brien doesn’t hold an Ohio State offer as of yet, but it’s a good bet that will change following this weekend. James Laurinaitis also hosts a key target this weekend as Ohio linebacker Cincere Johnson will return to OSU for his second gameday visit of the fall.
A complete expected visitors list can be found below. Commits are bolded.
Class of 2025
- Five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair
- Four-star wide receiver Phillip Bell
- Four-star tight end Brody Lennon
- Three-star linebacker Eli Lee
- Three-star offensive lineman Jake Cook
- Three-star wide receiver Bodpegn Miller
- Three-star cornerback Jordyn Woods
- Three-star cornerback Aydan West
Class of 2026
- Five-star safety Blaine Bradford
- Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson
- Five-star cornerback Elbert Hill
- Four-star defensive end Zavion Griffin-Haynes
- Four-star wide receiver Devin Carter
- Four-star linebacker Cincere Johnson
- Four-star offensive tackle Micah Smith
- Four-star quarterback Nathan Bernhard
- Four-star quarterback Gavin Sidwar
- Four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone
- Four-star cornerback Jakob Weatherspoon
- Four-star safety Joey O’Brien
- Three-star safety Zaiden McDonald
- Three-star tight end Lincoln Watkins
- Three-star tight end Jude Cascone
- Three-star wide receiver Tayshon Bardo
- Three-star safety Amar'e Miller
- Wide receiver Shawn Fishwick
Class of 2027
- Four-star linebacker Anthony Cartwright
- Defensive lineman Jeremiah Nash
