The Hurry-Up: Five-star OT Felix Ojo Visiting Ohio State Thursday, Buckeyes Enter the Race for Tennessee Commit Tyson Bacon, PJ Dean Puts OSU in His Top Three

By Garrick Hodge on April 9, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Felix Ojo
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Ohio State will have some marquee recruits on campus for its spring game.

We’ll preview the big recruiting weekend in full later this week and delve into some of the bigger names expected to be in attendance, but a priority target in the 2026 class will visit Columbus before then. 

Five-star Texas offensive tackle Felix Ojo confirmed he’ll be in Columbus on Thursday and Friday, as it’ll truly be an all-hands-on-deck recruiting effort for the offensive tackle for the Ohio State recruiting staff. 

New offensive line coach Tyler Bowen has been recruiting Ojo hard since he arrived on campus, and it’s clear Ojo is near the top of the Buckeyes’ recruiting wishlist. Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Ojo is considered the No. 25 prospect and No. 4 offensive tackle in the 2026 class. 

At the moment, Texas seems to be a clear favorite for Ojo throughout the recruiting industry, though Ohio State and Oklahoma aren’t that far behind. Ojo has been particularly complimentary of OSU over the past few months, and if nothing else, there’s at least a puncher’s chance here. 

Ojo has official visits set up to Ohio State, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan and Ole Miss. Bowen has already landed three offensive line recruits for OSU in his short tenure and has built up a large network of targets. But it certainly wouldn’t hurt to add a player like Ojo, the kind of premier tackle talent the Buckeyes have missed out on in the past few recruiting cycles, to its recruiting class.

OSU enters the race for Tennessee commit Tyson Bacon 

Larry Johnson has officially entered the recruitment of four-star Alabama prospect Tyson Bacon. Johnson offered the 6-foot-3, 263-pound 2026 prospect on Tuesday, who has a very endearing last name for a defensive lineman.

Bacon is considered the No. 274 prospect and No. 32 defensive lineman in the 2026 class. He’s been committed to the Volunteers since October and has earned 25 Division I offers in total. 

This recruitment looks far from shut down, though, considering Bacon has five official visits scheduled with schools this summer: Tennessee, Washington, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

Last season, Bacon recorded 33 tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack, 11 QB hurries and two pass deflections.

PJ Dean puts OSU in top three

A top interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class has included Ohio State in his top three. Four-star North Carolina prospect PJ Dean released his top schools list on Tuesday, consisting of OSU, Georgia and South Carolina. 

Dean is considered the No. 47 prospect and No. 4 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class. He’s a two-way player and may eventually play defensive line instead at the next level. 

Currently, South Carolina and Georgia are seen to be ahead of Ohio State in this recruitment, with the Bulldogs being the presumptive favorite. Though things could change if he visits Columbus, it’s a safe bet to pick the field over the Buckeyes for this one for now.

Akedran Crumel earns an OSU offer

The Buckeyes offered a standout cornerback from the 2027 class on Wednesday, as North Carolina prospect Akedran Crumel received an OSU offer from Ryan Day and Tim Walton.

Crumel doesn’t hold a composite ranking yet, but stands at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds and boasts 16 Division I offers. Other schools that have offered include Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, USC, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

Crumel recorded 34 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, four interceptions and six pass deflections last season.

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