Another intriguing prospect is headed to Columbus for Ohio State’s big recruiting weekend.
Four-star 2026 defensive end Landon Barnes announced he’ll be visiting Ohio State this weekend and will be in attendance for the Buckeyes’ spring game on Saturday.
Ill be at Ohio State tomorrow @R2X_Rushmen1 @OhioStateFB
— Landon Barnes (@LandoB26) April 11, 2025
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Barnes is considered the No. 181 prospect and the No. 18 edge prospect in the current class.
The Buckeyes have been pretty new to Barnes’ recruitment, as Larry Johnson just offered the 6-foot-4, 235-pound prospect in March. Currently, Barnes has official visits set up to Arizona State and Washington, though he has far more suitors vying for his services than just those two schools.
Barnes helped lead his team to the state semifinals in his junior season and recorded 43 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, eight quarterback hurries, three pass deflections, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
Big recruiting weekend underway
As we alluded to earlier, the Buckeyes are hosting a massive recruiting weekend over the next few days and it’s already started for a majority of the prospects expected to show up to Columbus.
Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, four-star running back Derrek Cooper and five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons are among some of the most important visitors for the Buckeyes this weekend.
All of the recruits will have an opportunity to see OSU in action on Saturday and interact with their position coaches, so this weekend has no shortage of importance as the Buckeyes attempt to set the tone for official visit season in the summer.
Chancellor Campbell sets OV to OSU
An Ohio State offensive line target in the 2026 class has set up an official visit with the Buckeyes.
Official Visit to Ohio State June 13 @TylerBowen @Coach_Dickey @mjohnson7672 @ryandaytime pic.twitter.com/vLidPdctrY
— Chancellor Campbell (@ChancellorCamp) April 7, 2025
Three-star Florida offensive tackle Chancellor Campbell confirmed he’ll take an official visit with Ohio State on June 13. He also has official visits locked in with Penn State, Florida and Miami this summer.
The 6-foot-8, 295-pound offensive tackle is rated the No. 632 prospect and No. 51 offensive tackle in 2026. Campbell was offered by OSU offensive line coach Tyler Bowen in March following the Florida resident’s visit to campus.
Terrance Smith picks up offer from Buckeyes
The weekend’s only just started and we already have a new offer that’s been given out by Ryan Day. 2027 Pennsylvania offensive lineman Terrance Smith is the newest recruit to earn an offer from Day, as the 6-foot-6, 260-pound prospect visited campus on Friday.
After great conversation with @ryandaytime I am blessed to have received an offer from THE Ohio State University!! @TylerBowen @Coach_Dickey @N_Murph @BigMenNTrenches#AGTG pic.twitter.com/LlKR1wggUi
— 4Terrance Smith (@21T_Smith) April 11, 2025
Smith does not yet have a composite ranking for his class and is considered likely to be an interior offensive lineman at the next level.
The Buckeyes were Smith’s 10th Division I offer following offers from Kentucky, Michigan State, Mizzou, Notre Dame, Rutgers, South Carolina, Syracuse, Temple and Tennessee.
Joey O’Brien leaves OSU off top six
An Ohio State defensive back target is headed in a different direction. In news that wasn’t all that surprising on Thursday, four-star defensive back Joey O’Brien released a top six that didn’t include the Buckeyes, instead including Notre Dame, Oregon, Tennessee, Penn State, Clemson and Michigan.
Wheres home? https://t.co/AMMxz10fRe
— Joey OBrien (@Joey_obrien6) April 10, 2025
O’Brien is considered the No. 91 prospect in the 2026 class.
Ohio State’s top defensive back targets at the moment would probably classify as five-star safety Bralan Womack and four-star cornerback Jordan Thomas as the Buckeyes look to add to a class that already includes two of the nation’s top safeties in Blaine Bradford and Simeon Caldwell as well as four-star cornerback Jakob Weatherspoon.
