One of Ohio State’s top offensive line targets in the 2026 class has narrowed down his recruitment.
Four-star Florida prospect Micah Smith released a top six earlier this week consisting of Ohio State, Miami, Tennessee, Oregon, UCLA and South Carolina.
The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Smith is considered the No. 81 prospect and No. 6 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He’s been a frequent visitor to Ohio State over the past two years and was on campus last week for the Buckeyes’ game against Indiana.
Ohio State takes the lead #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/pppptuMvfX
— Micah Champion Smith (@ChampSmith55) November 23, 2024
Smith enjoyed his return to Columbus and likes the plan Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye has laid out for his development if he chooses to become a Buckeye.
“The gameday atmosphere was great,” Smith told Eleven Warriors. “I got a chance to talk with coach Day after the game. I spent time in the locker room with the team and spoke to some of the players. The vibe was awesome. Every time I visit Ohio State, the hospitality is exceptional. I like the plan coach Frye has laid out for my development. My goal is to take a minimum of four official visits, no more than six, and make my decision before my senior season begins.”
St. Clair, Miller named finalists for Ohio Mr. Football
Ohio State quarterback commit Tavien St. Clair and wide receiver commit Bodpegn Miller are among eight finalists for the annual Ohio Mr. Football award, the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association announced Wednesday.
The winner will be announced next Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Ohio high school football state championships.
Humbled to be nominated for Mr. Football. All glory to God! Thankful for my family, teammates, coaches, & everyone in the community who has supported & believed in me. Excited for the journey ahead with @OhioStateFB !@coacheckert8 @ryandaytime @brianhartline #Jesuswon #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/izGp5ZHpvF
— Bodpegn Miller (@BodpegnM) November 27, 2024
#AGTG Blessed to be named a Mr. Football Finalist! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/7nUraX2HfF
— Tavien St. Clair (@TJSaint_1) November 27, 2024
While Miller will be one of St. Clair’s receivers at the collegiate level, the former plays quarterback for Ontario High School. Miller completed 149 of 253 passes for 2,216 yards and 20 touchdown passes while also rushing for 1,988 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. He also kicked and punted for Ontario, punting 22 times for 775 yards (35.2 yards per punt) and recorded 17 touchbacks on kickoffs. On defense, he notched 41 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and three interceptions as a defensive back. His efforts led Ontario to the Division IV regional finals.
St. Clair was 166-of-244 this season for 2,536 yards and 29 touchdowns with 254 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He led Bellefontaine to an 8-2 regular-season record before it was upset in the first round of the playoffs.
Chaz Coleman, Epi Sitanilei visiting this weekend
Ohio State has lost a pair of defensive end commitments in the past week-and-a-half, with Zahir Mathis and London Merritt each decommitting. With their departures, the Buckeyes are now down to four defensive linemen in the 2025 cycle.
But with Signing Day in exactly a week (still hasn’t set in yet), there’s no rest for the weary on the recruiting trail. Ohio State will have two possible defensive end flip candidates of their own coming to Ohio Stadium this weekend: Chaz Coleman and Epi Sitanilei.
Coleman is an in-state product that was a late bloomer in the recruiting cycle. The four-star Warren resident committed to Penn State earlier this month, but the Buckeyes are hoping to steal a player from their Big Ten rival within the next week. Coleman’s visit will be his second to OSU of the fall.
Sitanilei is a standout for California powerhouse St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) and has been a UCLA commitment since June. Like Coleman, Sitanilei has also seen his recruiting stock rise to new heights in his senior season and is now a four-star prospect ranked as the No. 344 overall prospect in the 2024 class.
Sitanilei’s plan is to make an official visit to OSU this weekend. The logistics may be difficult with the noon kickoff since Sitanilei has a game Friday night. But if everything goes smoothly, Sitanilei should be at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Zavion Griffin-Hayes decommits from North Carolina
Speaking of defensive ends, a target from the 2026 class is back on the market. Four-star prospect Zavion Griffin-Hayes decommitted from North Carolina Tuesday following the firing of Mack Brown.
Wheres home ? https://t.co/8561kB2Tnr
— Zavion Griffin-Haynes (@ZavionGH) November 26, 2024
His signing day is still a year away, so there’s a long way to go here, but Ohio State has been a strong player in his recruitment. Griffin-Hayes visited Columbus last week for the Indiana game, so there’s still heavy interest from the Buckeyes’ end in the North Carolina product.
