Ohio State offers two spots in the 2026 class and makes the final three for one of its top offensive targets in 2025.
Once more, the Buckeyes were actively recruiting athletes for the 2026 class.
James Laurinaitis is in charge of the linebacker room, so there are many reasons to be happy. This was the perfect fit all along, and it’s already paying off handsomely because to his background as a player and his aptitude for player development and recruitment. Tarvos Alford and Eli Lee, two guys who are presently committed, position the Buckeyes for success in the 2025 class and allow them to concentrate on upcoming cycles.
Remaining committed to their work, the Buckeyes extended one of their most recent offers to in-state prospect Jakobe Clapper yesterday. The native of Cincinnati currently has about 20 offers under his belt. With two full seasons left to play, 6-foot-2, 195-pound Clapper already has a great build, but it’s fascinating to see what he can develop into as a finished player.
Clapper, ranked No. 225 in the country and the 17th best at his position by 247Sports Composite grades, is attracting interest from a number of schools, including Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, and now his home-state Buckeyes. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done, but you have to think that Laurinaitis will be heavily involved in this recruiting process given that he is not only a talented in-state player but also seems to suit the profile that OSU is seeking for in the position.
It is understandable that the running back position is still a frequently discussed topic at Ohio State. The new position coach for the Buckeyes is the subject of much excitement, and the 2025 class appears to be destined to be one for the ages given their chances of success with their top targets.
Not to get ahead of ourselves, but Ohio State is already looking at potential targets for the future. Yesterday, Georgia native Jonaz Walton received the 2026 class’s top running back offer.
Walton is a smallish back who weighs 200 pounds at 5 feet 9 inches, but he runs much larger than his size. It’s understandable why Ohio State is interested in the No. 83 player in the country and the eighth-best running back in the class according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
Programs from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, USC, Tennessee, Texas, and a few more have added their names to the hat, and although the Buckeyes are a little late to the game, they should be able to make up for it with their enthusiasm for this position group. As Locklyn continues to settle into his new position, more names will probably surface, but this is the most recent one that is noteworthy.