A top safety target for Ohio State in the 2026 class is closer to making a decision.
Three-star Ohio safety Kaden Gebhardt released his top four schools on Tuesday, which consisted of Ohio State, Clemson, Penn State and Wisconsin.
Gebhardt, who attends nearby Olentangy High School, was offered by OSU in December. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety visited Columbus multiple times this year, taking several gameday visits and also attending a spring practice. A decision could be coming soon for Gebhardt, who will likely commit before taking any official visits.
NEWS: Class of 2026 Safety Kaden Gebhardt is down to 4 Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 28, 2025
The 62 195 S from Lewis Center, OH is down to Ohio State, Clemson, Penn State, & Wisconsin
Where Should He Go?https://t.co/frISuitahJ pic.twitter.com/uEiMz21ujt
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.
Ryan Day hits the recruiting trail
Fresh off a late-night TV appearance and a national title, Ryan Day hit the recruiting trail for the first time this offseason over the past few days.
Day's first stop was in Missouri to see five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell on Tuesday. Cantwell is considered the No. 1 prospect and No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2026 recruiting class.
Thank you to @ryandaytime for coming to Nixa, MO before seeing any other schools! Always a pleasure to have him and @CoachJFrye come in. Means a lot that the National Champs came here first. #NSGB #OH pic.twitter.com/EGeKOxfv8l
— Jackson Cantwell (@jcantwell2499) January 28, 2025
OSU's head coach also made his way to Mississippi to check in on five-star safety Bralan Womack.
Not too often does Ohio state make their way to the Sip! Shout out to @ryandaytime & @MattGuerrieri for stopping my to spend time with me! @TomLoy247 @ChadSimmons_ @samspiegs @On3Recruits @247Sports @Rivals @CraigBowman2 @wpg_coach_rip @NextLevelHawks @HA_Hawks_FB pic.twitter.com/XLS0K9f1oc
— Bralan Womack (@B_Mack02) January 28, 2025
Later, he flew to Louisiana to visit five-star safety Blaine Bradford.
National champions in the building. Thank you Coach Day and Coach G for coming by the school. #AGTG @MattGuerrieri @ryandaytime @OhioStateFB @OhioStAthletics pic.twitter.com/VfSbHZQHXr
— Blaine Bradford (@Blaine1307) January 29, 2025
On Wednesday, Day stopped in Georgia to visit 2026 four-star defensive back Tyriq Green.
#GoBucks @ryandaytime @OGWalt_ pic.twitter.com/jUl6c70B33
— TyriqTy BoogieGreen (@tyboogie_da1) January 29, 2025
Also of note, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and offensive analyst Billy Fessler made a stop in Tennessee to check in with five-star 2026 quarterback Jared Curtis.
Great In home visit!! pic.twitter.com/9ySbIg1sap
— Jared Curtis 2026 QB (@Jaredcurtis37) January 29, 2025
Ohio State coaches have been active on the recruiting trail the past few days, visiting prospects and offering new recruits. Since our last Hurry-Up, the Buckeyes have offered five new athletes and we’ll delve into each below.
Jalen Lott
Lott is one of the more talented wide receivers in the 2026 class and was offered personally by Brian Hartline on Tuesday. Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Lott is considered the No. 51 prospect and No. 7 wide receiver in the 2026 cycle.
#AGTG After a great conversation with @brianhartline Im BLESSED to say I have received an OFFER from THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!!@OhioStateFB @OhioStateFBChat @drobalwayzopen @coachwvde pic.twitter.com/dppL7QTMb9
— Jalen Lott (@JLott2026) January 28, 2025
The 6-foot, 170-pound prospect holds 44 Division I offers, many of which include the usual suspects you’d expect. He’s set two official visits so far, one to Texas on June 13 and Oregon on June 20.
In his junior season, Lott caught 85 passes for 1,111 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also had 18 carries for 106 yards and four touchdowns and also threw a 55-yard touchdown pass.
Brayden Rouse
Rouse visited OSU in November for the Purdue game and the 2026 prospect finds himself with an offer a few months later. Linebackers coach James Laurinaitis offered the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Georgia product on Wednesday.
AG2G!! Thank you to my teammates, coaches, and family for helping me earn an offer from THE Ohio State University!@JLaurinaitis55 @jchorba16 pic.twitter.com/Tj0GMP7pM3
— Brayden Rouse (@BraydenRouse8) January 29, 2025
He’s considered the No. 196 prospect and No. 17 linebacker in the 2026 cycle. Rouse has earned more than 30 Division I offers, including from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M.
Last season, Rouse recorded 111 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a quarterback hurry, an interception, six pass deflections and a fumble recovery.
Brock Boyd
Ohio State has also entered the recruitment of Brock Boyd, an emerging 2026 wide receiver in Texas who Hartline offered on Tuesday. Boyd is currently committed to TCU, so the Buckeyes will have to flip him if they want to add him to their 2026 class.
#AGTG After a great conversation with @brianhartline im very blessed to say ive received an offer from @OhioStateFB @ryandaytime @coachrdodge @SLC_Recruiting @drobalwayzopen pic.twitter.com/1hL0AZ2Nky
— Brock Boyd (@BrockBoyd_2) January 28, 2025
Boyd is considered the No. 339 prospect and No. 51 wide receiver in 2026 and has picked up 25 Division I offers.
In 2024, Boyd caught 111 passes for 1,875 yards and 19 touchdowns. He added five carries for 42 yards and a rushing touchdown while helping his team to a state title appearance.
Duvay Williams
Williams is one of the top cornerbacks in the 2027 class, though his offer from Ohio State came from Brian Hartline. Hartline offered Williams as a wide receiver, but Williams has the skill set to play either position in Columbus.
WOW!! I am blessed to receive an offer from THEE Ohio State University!! #GoBucks @OhioStateFB @brianhartline @GregBiggins @ChadSimmons_ @SWiltfong_ @adamgorney @TomLoy247 pic.twitter.com/rKy89pHoLs
— Duvay Williams (@DuvayAllday) January 27, 2025
The 6-foot-1, 155-pound athlete is rated as the No. 21 prospect and No. 2 cornerback in the 2027 cycle. The California product has picked up nearly 25 Division I offers so far, including Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and USC.
Brock Williams
Keenan Bailey offered Williams, a promising 2027 tight end, on Wednesday.
After a conversation with @CoachKee I am blessed to receive an offer from The Ohio State!!!@CoachDShack @LHSWildcatsFB @EDGYTIM @AllenTrieu @GregSmithRivals @HSFBscout @LemmingReport @TNTignite @CoachChris_Roll pic.twitter.com/94tOuRGrJg
— Brock Williams (@BrockWill2027) January 29, 2025
Williams doesn’t hold a composite ranking as of yet, but the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Illinois product has picked up 18 Division I offers thus far, including Arkansas, Auburn, Arizona State, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mizzou, Nebraska, Penn State and Wisconsin.
As a sophomore, Williams caught 35 passes for 608 yards and seven touchdowns.
