On Saturday morning, we broke the news that five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. was making a surprise visit to Ohio State.
The visit was a tightly kept secret all week, with even some Ohio State staffers getting surprised by his visit to Ohio Stadium. Sanders had not taken any other visit since committing to Tennessee this summer, so by that gesture alone, he wouldn’t be making the trek to Columbus if there wasn’t serious interest on his end with the Buckeyes.
Five-star 2025 offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. is here at Ohio Stadium. https://t.co/seOpQKbXzh pic.twitter.com/KDykFWrQsr
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) November 23, 2024
On campus, Sanders hung out with various Ohio State commits throughout the day, including five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair, who made sure to rarely leave his side. Ryan Day and Justin Frye each ensured the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2025 class felt like a priority on the visit, which lasted through Monday, giving him the VIP treatment and going over their plan for his future should he join the Buckeyes.
As it stands, we’ve learned the visit went so well there’s optimism about Sanders coming back to Columbus for The Game this weekend, which would only bolster Ohio State’s chances of landing its top remaining target in the 2025 class.
There’s some growing optimism here with the Buckeyes and Sanders, and if I were setting odds, I’d probably give a better chance to him flipping to Ohio State than him staying put at Tennessee at the moment.
Ohio State has a real shot at the No. 1 recruiting class nationally this year, and landing a player of Sanders’ caliber can only bolster those chances.
Aydan West picks up Ohio State offer
Ohio State has made another late offer to a cornerback in the 2025 class.
Three-star Maryland cornerback Aydan West took an official visit to OSU on Saturday and left campus with an offer in hand, making him the second 2025 cornerback to pick up an offer from OSU this month (Jordyn Woods being the other, who was also on a visit to Columbus Saturday).
Blessed to receive an offer from @OhioStateFB. @QO_Coach_Kelley @DMV_Hype @adamgorney @RivalsFriedman @BrianDohn247 @SWiltfong_ @TheUCReport @MohrRecruiting @On3Recruits @DemetricDWarren @CoachPlez @RocCarmichael @KaboteSikyala @CKQOfootball @SportyEvans_2 @CoachDuHart pic.twitter.com/FUeyqwMf6u
— 5 Aydan West (@AydanWest0) November 24, 2024
West has been committed to Michigan State since June, so the Buckeyes will have to flip the 6-foot, 184-pound prospect should they wish to get him in their 2025 class. By all accounts, they have a great chance of doing so. The same could be said for Woods, who is expected to make a final decision sometime this week.
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, West is considered the No. 1,094 player and the No. 98 cornerback in the 2025 cycle.
West is expected to visit East Lansing one more time this weekend, then you’d figure he’d make a final decision shortly after that considering National Signing Day is fast approaching on Dec. 4.
Malik Autry shuts down his recruitment
A defensive tackle target for Ohio State in the 2025 cycle is (once again) off the board. Four-star Alabama prospect Malik Autry announced Monday he’s shutting down his recruitment and will sign with Auburn on Dec. 4, ending the Buckeyes’ slim chances of flipping the standout defensive tackle.
BREAKING: Elite 2025 DL Malik Autry has shut down his recruitment, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 25, 2024
He will sign with the Tigers on December 4th
Ive been committed for almost 2 years, now its time to make it official. War Eagle https://t.co/if6eKxExrn pic.twitter.com/Idra0riUKe
It goes without saying, but Autry will now not be in attendance for the Buckeyes’ game against Michigan this week.
Na’eem Offord announcing college choice on Signing Day
While there may be some good news regarding cornerbacks around the corner with West and Woods, the vibe around five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord seems less promising at the moment.
Ohio State Five-Star Plus+ CB commit Na'eem Offord tells @JLeeAULive he will decide between the Buckeyes, Oregon and Auburn on Signing Day
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) November 24, 2024
Read: https://t.co/0KhombXWsT pic.twitter.com/n6GXq12D1s
Offord plans to announce his final college decision on National Signing Day and choose from Ohio State, Auburn and Oregon. Several notable national recruiting analysts, including Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons from On3, logged predictions for Offord to flip to Auburn on Monday.
Offord is still expected to visit OSU on Saturday, so it ain’t over until it’s over. Still, if the end result is the Buckeyes flip Sanders and lose Offord, that’s a trade you’d make 10/10 times given the roster construction going forward.
