Two five-star targets will be on campus this weekend for crucial visits.
Five-star Virginia running back Savion Hiter, the No. 1 running back in the 2026 class, announced he’ll be in Columbus Friday for a multi-day visit. Hiter is one of the Buckeyes’ top RB targets in the current cycle, along with Derrek Cooper, Carsyn Baker, Favour Akih and Jae Lamar, to name a few. With Hiter set to take an official visit to Ohio State later this summer, this weekend's visit will be important for Carlos Locklyn and the rest of the offensive staff as Hiter gets to take in a spring practice. Ohio State is contending with Michigan, Georgia and Tennessee for the Virginia standout.
Excited to be back @OhioStateFB this weekend #GoBucks @ryandaytime @Locklyn33 @TonyJCoach @RyanMayhew_ @lionwingcoach @CoachMcCannERT @Bucknuts247 @Bill_Kurelic @alexgleitman @mickdwalker @Birm pic.twitter.com/qjMhiT5DCu
— Savion Cinco Hiter (High-ter) (@5starsavi) March 27, 2025
Meanwhile, five-star safety Blaine Bradford also plans to be on campus this weekend. Bradford potentially could be on campus until Monday and take in two Ohio State spring practices based on his previous plans. Like Hiter, Bradford already has an official visit scheduled to Columbus for later this summer.
The Buckeyes have also offered four highly touted linebacker prospects from the 2027 class over the past few days, and we’ll dive into each new offer below.
Jabarrius Garror
Ohio State has entered the recruitment of four-star Alabama linebacker Jabarrius Garror, and it’s not going to be an easy recruitment to win. Garror is committed to his hometown Crimson Tide and has been since July of last year. That’s not going to stop James Laurinaitis and the Buckeyes from taking a run at the 6-foot-2, 220-pound prospect, though.
Blessed to receive an Offer from Ohio State #AGTG@coachmaye3 @JLaurinaitis55 pic.twitter.com/FouBHy8urG
— Jabarrius Garr0r (@GarrorJabarrius) March 28, 2025
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Garror is considered the No. 41 prospect and No. 5 edge player in the 2027 class. He’s earned 26 Division I offers.
Garror had a prolific sophomore year in 2024, as he recorded 104 tackles, 56 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and a whopping 21.5 sacks.
Taven Epps
Laurinaitis has been busy of late and he extended an offer to the No. 2 linebacker in the 2027 class on Thursday, four-star California prospect Taven Epps.
After a great conversation with Coach @JLaurinaitis55 Im Thankful & Blessed to receive an Offer from @OhioStateFB #AG2G @ryandaytime @OhioStAthletics @11W @Birm @_Pat_Murphy @CHawk_4 @Tiller_Football @CoachLopez74 @BrandonHuffman @GregBiggins @ChadSimmons_ @adamgorney pic.twitter.com/joAf3vp3IU
— Taven Epps (@TavenEpps) March 27, 2025
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Epps is considered the No. 54 prospect nationally and the No. 2 linebacker. He’s earned 32 Division I offers, including Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Boston College, Georgia, Kansas, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, UNLV, USC, Utah and Washington.
Last year, Epps racked up 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, an interception, six pass deflections and a blocked punt.
Omarii Sanders
Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but Laurinaitis offered another promising linebacker in the 2027 cycle. Four-star Tennessee prospect Omarii Sanders was the recipient on Thursday. He's ranked the No. 44 prospect and No. 5 safety in 2027, though Laurinaitis offered him, so it’s likely that Ohio State views him as a linebacker.
Grateful to receive an offer from @JLaurinaitis55 and THE Ohio State University! Thank you to @OhioStateFB for this opportunity. #GoBucks -@CoachEdSanders@ChadSimmons_ @shaynep_media @SeanW_247sports@SWiltfong_@adamgorney@tomloy247@joe_spears7 @TNSelect7V7 pic.twitter.com/9FjTqUoFhz
— 0marii Sanders (@omariisanders) March 27, 2025
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound prospect has earned 30 Division I offers, including Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Liberty, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oregon, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCF and West Virginia.
Last season, Sanders recorded 27 tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception.
Jalaythan Mayfield
Mayfield is the lone prospect offered that has neither a star nor composite ranking, but he’s still seen plenty of high-profile offers come his way within the past few months. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound North Carolina product earned his OSU offer on Tuesday and has 12 offers in total.
AFTER A GREAT CONVERSATION WITH @JLaurinaitis55 IM BLESSED TO RECEIVE MY 11TH D1 OFFER FROM OHIO STATE#RecruittheL #Wolfway @OhioStateFB @LincolntonFB @adamgorney @AnnaH247 @hopo125 pic.twitter.com/vhh5Djx0zJ
— Jalaythan Mayfield (@JMayfield9145) March 26, 2025
Other programs that have offered Mayfield include Arkansas, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Last year, Mayfield accumulated 109 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three fumble recoveries, a pass deflection, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal.
