Now that the NFL Combine has wrapped up and spring football draws ever closer, let’s catch up on a few notable recruiting storylines you may have missed.
Sam Greer visiting OSU March 17
Since arriving on campus, new offensive line coach Tyler Bowen has hit the ground running on the recruiting trail, handing out a flurry of offers and working to establish relationships with offensive linemen already very coveted by the Buckeyes before he set foot in Columbus.
Spring practice schedule locked in so far @TomLoy247 @Coachcliff904 @SWiltfong_ @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/etXakUJ3XU
— Sam Greer (@Samgreer70) March 2, 2025
One of those prospects is in-state offensive tackle Sam Greer, a top priority in the 2026 recruiting class. Greer and Bowen will have the opportunity to strengthen their relationship in a face-to-face meeting on March 17, when Greer is expected to arrive at OSU to watch a spring practice.
The visit will be a crucial one considering this will be Greer’s first opportunity to get a first-hand look at Bowen’s coaching style and see his techniques. The four-star in-state tackle also plans to visit Missouri, Michigan, Miami, Louisville, Tennessee, Florida, Florida State and Wisconsin this spring. Greer was the second offensive lineman OSU offered in the 2026 cycle, only behind Maxwell Riley.
“I felt extremely blessed and excited to get an offer from The Ohio State University,” Greer told Eleven Warriors after picking up his offer. “Coach Day said he wanted to offer me based off my size and athleticism and wanted me to help be a recruiter as well.”
Greer is expected to make a college decision sometime this summer.
Top out-of-state prospects Savion Hiter and Blaine Bradford taking spring trips to OSU
Greer isn’t the only priority target visiting the Buckeyes this fall.
Five-star running back Savion Hiter and five-star safety Blaine Bradford, both ranked the No. 1 player at their respective positions per 247Sports’ composite rankings, have confirmed they’ll be on campus within the next few weeks.
Hiter will be on campus March 29 ahead of his official visit to OSU scheduled for May 30. Ohio State is contending with Michigan, Georgia and Tennessee for the Virginia standout.
Bradford plans to be in Columbus on March 28 and 31 for spring practices, with an official visit already scheduled for June 13. LSU and Texas are also in pursuit of the Louisiana product.
Derrek Cooper and Messiah Hampton schedule official visits
Two offensive targets in the 2026 class have confirmed they’ll take official visits to Ohio State this summer.
Four-star Florida running back Derrek Cooper expects to be at OSU on June 20 and will also take official visits to Auburn, Miami, Alabama, Georgia and Penn State. Cooper is Jeremiah Smith's former high school teammate and is considered the No. 31 prospect in his class. As a junior, Cooper ran for 905 yards on 124 carries while catching nine passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. He also played safety and recorded 46 tackles, four sacks, four pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles last season.
— Derrek Cooper (@DerrekCooper80) March 3, 2025
Four-star New York receiver Messiah Hampton has also scheduled an official visit to Ohio State and will be in town on June 13. Hampton has other trips planned to Oregon, USC and Miami and is considering visiting Penn State, Syracuse and North Carolina as well.
“Ohio State is WRU,” Hampton told On3. “Coach Hartline is a great receivers coach and he is the new offensive coordinator, so I want to get back and see them again this spring.”
