One of Ohio State’s top offensive line targets for the 2026 class has narrowed down his recruitment.
Four-star Virginia offensive lineman Darius Gray released his top 12 schools on Tuesday, consisting of Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan, LSU, Georgia, Oregon, Clemson, Penn State, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Thank you Lord!! @samspiegs @RivalsFriedman @adamgorney @Rivals @ryanobleness pic.twitter.com/ALN3EFnx0f
— DG (@dariusgrayy_) December 24, 2024
Gray recently visited OSU last month for the Buckeyes’ regular season finale against Michigan. He also took a trip to Columbus in June for a recruiting camp and won the majority of his one-on-ones with five-star defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart. The 6-foot-3, 277-pound Gray picked up an offer from the Buckeyes afterward.
“It would mean everything,” Gray said right before getting the offer. “It's been a long time. Ohio State, most draft picks and everything, getting an offer from a school like this would definitely mean the world to me. My end goal is not to just make college ball, not to just go to the NFL, but I'm trying to be a Hall of Famer. Ohio State does a great job doing that, at least giving me the opportunity to be in the league. So, it would definitely be at the top.”
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Gray is considered the No. 35 prospect and No. 3 interior offensive lineman for the 2026 class.
“Family atmosphere, that's the most important thing,” Gray said of the most important factors in his recruitment. “Just trusting the coaches and players to have your back just as much as I have theirs. I want to major in sports communication. I want to be a broadcaster when I'm done, or at least a coach. So those two things, and I know Ohio State does a great job with sports communication.
“I can't imagine myself being outside of the football world, so keeping me in here, whether that's broadcasting to others or analyzing or coaching, whatever it may be, I'll still be a part of the game.”
Justice Haynes commits to Michigan
Ohio State nabbed a big running back addition for the 2025 season with the signing of former West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson on Monday. The other previously uncommitted running back the Buckeyes had been connected to went to their archrival on Tuesday.
Former Alabama transfer Justice Haynes opted to sign with Michigan on Christmas Eve, bolstering the Wolverines’ backfield for the 2025 season. Haynes, the No. 1 running back in the transfer portal per 247Sports, rushed for 448 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry this season. He could be a lead back for Michigan next season along with Cincinnati native Jordan Marshall.
Illinois guard Zy Crisler enters transfer portal
A two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten offensive lineman has entered the transfer portal. Former Illinois guard Zy Crisler officially entered the portal on Thursday, becoming another potential intriguing option if Ohio State wants to add an interior offensive lineman transfer to its 2025 roster.
NEWS: Illinois OL Zy Crisler has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, per @PeteNakos_.
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) December 26, 2024
2x Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.https://t.co/ZNgbNWC0KT pic.twitter.com/W82KysICKe
Crisler played in 12 games for the Fighting Illini last season and started six games at right guard. He’ll have one season of eligibility remaining. Interestingly enough, he only has another season of eligibility remaining because of the blanket waiver granted to all athletes by the NCAA who participated in a non-NCAA school at some point in their career and used their final year of eligibility in the 2024 season.
Crisler has earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors twice in his career, but had a less-than-stellar season in 2024, only accumulating a overall grade of 49.6 per Pro Football Focus. If he came to OSU, a starting spot certainly wouldn’t be guaranteed, but he could provide interesting depth if nothing else.
