The weekend certainly didn’t go how Ohio State was hoping on the field.
But in the recruiting realm, the Buckeyes connected with more than 50 recruits on campus who visited and extended an offer to three prospects, two in the 2026 cycle and one in the 2028 class.
We’ll break down each new offer below.
Davon Benjamin
Benjamin is by far the most highly touted prospect of the three offered. Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, the California product is considered the No. 29 recruit and the No. 3 safety in the 2026 class.
Ohio State University Offered!! #GoBucks #GoBuckeyes @CoachDuHart @ChadSimmons_ @BrandonHuffman @GregBiggins @BrownKai @Malikcyphers pic.twitter.com/5pefQTsXQH
— Davon L Benjamin Jr (@da5von) December 1, 2024
The 6-foot, 170-pound prospect holds more than 20 Division I offers, including from Arizona State, BYU, California, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, UNLV, USC and Washington.
In 12 games this season, Benjamin recorded 45 tackles, five tackles for loss, six interceptions, four pass deflections, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
Kaden Gebhardt
The Buckeyes also offered a 2026 safety right in their backyard, with OSU offering Olentangy standout Kaden Gebhardt.
After a great conversation with @ryandaytime Im blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University!!@MattGuerrieri @AllenTrieu @SWiltfong_ @adamgorney @MohrRecruiting @coachcorn10 @GregSmithRivals @CoachSlater25 @thompsonfbcoach @OHSBravesFB pic.twitter.com/OsxWLK4DGp
— Kaden Gebhardt 4 S/ATH (@kaden_gebhardt) November 30, 2024
Gebhardt is a three-star recruit in the 247Sports composite and is considered the No. 525 prospect and No. 46 safety in the 2026 class. He’s made several visits to OSU of late, but the offer finally came from Matt Guerrieri and Ryan Day this weekend.
Gebhardt has more than 25 Division I offers, including Cincinnati, Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (OH), Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, UCLA, USC, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
In his junior season, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound product racked up 76 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass deflections and a fumble recovery.
Christopher Vargas
Ohio State offered its third quarterback in the 2028 cycle in 6-foot-4, 175-pound Massachusetts prospect Christopher Vargas.
#AGTG Im blessed to receive an offer from @OhioStateFB Thank you @ryandaytime @CoachRLarkin @StJohnsPrepFB @M2_QBacademy pic.twitter.com/fFEuZTor4g
— Christopher Vargas 2028 QB (@chris_vargas2) December 1, 2024
OSU was Vargas’ sixth Division I offer, joining UConn, Syracuse, Penn State, Boston College and UMass as schools that have offered him.
All eyes on Anthony Rogers, Na’eem Offord on Signing Day
It’s hard to believe, but National Signing Day is fast approaching. On Wednesday, Ohio State’s 25 commits are expected to put pen to paper and sign. Though perhaps not all of them will be with Ohio State.
Five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord has been a heavy target of Auburn and Oregon the past few months and the Alabama prospect did return to Ohio State last weekend for a visit. Auburn still remains a strong contender to flip Offord though, and that may be the most likely outcome at this rate. Should Offord opt to commit elsewhere, Ohio State could flip three-star cornerback Aydan West, who visited for the Indiana game.
In more positive news, OSU may have weathered the storm regarding linebacker Tarvos Alford, who was being heavily pursued by Miami. We’ll know for sure on Wednesday, but the Buckeyes may have done enough to keep the Florida prospect in the class.
Ohio State also hopes to add one more running back to the 2025 class. That target is obviously four-star tailback Anthony Rogers, who decommitted from Alabama last month. Rogers will decide between OSU and Georgia on Wednesday, and the Buckeyes still should be in good shape here. If he commits, he’ll join a solid running back corps of Bo Jackson and Isaiah West.
Finally, there was some strong optimism regarding David Sanders Jr. following his visit to the Indiana game, but Tennessee may have done enough to hold on here. We'll know for sure on Wednesday, but it seems likely that he'll sign with the Vols.
