Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.
Ohio State's top-rated defensive lineman in the 2025 class, Zion Grady (No. 9 edge, No. 81 overall) was one of two four-star prospects from the state of Alabama to commit to the Buckeyes in the cycle, something that was essentially unheard of before Nick Saban retired from Alabama following the 2023 season.
Zion Grady
- Size: 6-4/246
- Position: DE
- School: Enterprise (Enterprise, Ohio)
- 247 Composite: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #9 EDGE
- Overall Rank: #81
How He Became a Buckeye
Ohio State offered Grady on Feb. 5, 2024, after he decommitted from Alabama following Nick Saban's sudden retirement. At the time, the Buckeyes were a long shot to land the Alabama product, but Larry Johnson and Co. hit the trail hard for the defensive lineman. That became evident when Grady visited Columbus less than three months after receiving his coveted OSU offer.
Less than two months after his first visit to Ohio State, Grady came to Columbus once again in late June and it was on that official visit that he committed to the Buckeyes.
There were rumors leading up to signing day that Grady could flip to Auburn, but the Alabama native held strong in his commitment to Ohio State and officially signed with the Buckeyes in December.
Misunderstanding Im 1000% lock-in https://t.co/nmAvLEc9jh
— Zion (Ziggy) Grady (@GradyZion) July 27, 2024
High School Years
As a sophomore, Grady was named Alabama Class 5A Lineman of the Year after totaling 108 tackles, 27 quarterback hits, 22 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three blocked field goals while leading Charles Henderson to the 5A state title game and a 12-2 record.
Grady followed that up by recording 87 tackles (24 tackles for loss), 22 quarterback hits, 11 sacks and an interception as a junior. He finished his high school career at Enterprise High School, where he tallied 70 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 14 sacks as a senior, earning first-team All-State honors.
Throughout his three years as a varsity starter in high school, Grady showed off his speed for someone his size to get past opposing linemen who were bigger than him and strength to run through offensive tackles who were smaller than him. His quick first step and instincts made him a nightmare for opposing offenses as he made a living in the backfield.
Immediate Impact
Better Know A Buckeye
After lining up both as a standing edge and in the traditional three-point stance with his hand in the ground in high school, Grady is expected to be a defensive end at Ohio State.
While his first season as a Buckeye will likely be as a depth piece in a defensive end group that features Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Caden Curry, C.J. Hicks and Logan George, among others, Grady has already impressed coaches in his first spring at OSU.
“There's been good growth there. I've been impressed with Zion Grady as a young player," Ryan Day said on Monday. "I think that if he can learn and grow and get better and not get caught up in being a freshman and kind of flatlining here, and continuing to get better in the second half of the spring, I think he can help us as a freshman, which would be great."
Considering how disruptive Grady was on special teams throughout his time in high school, it wouldn't be surprising if he contributed to that group in his first season as a Buckeye.
Long-Term Impact
If Grady can earn some playing time as a freshman, he should be able to parlay that into a spot on the two-deep as a sophomore and push for a starting job by his third year in Columbus.
The top-rated defensive lineman in Ohio State's 2025 class, Grady possesses the athleticism and versatility to line up as either a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end or as a standup rusher in a hybrid outside linebacker role, though he’s expected to primarily play DE for the Buckeyes.
Player Comparison: Tyquan Lewis
Lewis compiled 112 tackles (38 tackles for loss), 23.5 sacks, five passes defended and five forced fumbles across his four seasons as a Buckeye. A two-time first-team All-Big Ten honoree, Lewis was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts, where he has remained throughout his seven-year NFL career so far.
With his frame, power and explosiveness, Grady has the potential to make a similar impact for the Buckeyes.
