OHIO STATE MAKES FINAL THREE FOR ONE OF ITS TOP 2025 OFFENSIVE TARGETS, OFFERS TWO IN 2026 CLASS
Now that James Laurinaitis is manning the linebacker room, there’s plenty to be excited about. From his experience as a player to his ability to develop and recruit players, this was the right fit all along and it’s paying off in major ways already. With two guys currently committed in Tarvos Alford and Eli Lee, the Buckeyes are set up for success in the 2025 class, and can now focus on future cycles.
Staying hard at work, yesterday the Buckeyes sent out one of their latest offers to in-state product, Jakobe Clapper. The Cincinnati native now holds nearly 20 offers to his name. A 6-foot-2, 195-pound athlete, Clapper already shows an impressive frame, but with two full seasons still to be played, it’s exciting to think about what he could become as a finished product.
The No. 225 player nationally and 17th best player at his position per the 247Sports Composite grades, Clapper has the likes of Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, and several others interested in him, and now his home-state Buckeyes are in that mix as well. There is plenty of work to be done, of course, and you have to imagine that Laurinaitis is going to be all over this recruitment considering that not only is he an in-state talent, but he also seems to fit the mold that OSU is looking for at the position.
2026 running back gets the nod from Ohio State
The running back position continues to be a consistent topic of discussion around Ohio State and rightfully so. There is plenty of excitement surrounding the Buckeyes’ new position coach, and the potential success that the 2025 class could have with their top targets is pointing towards a class for the ages for the Buckeyes.
Without getting too far ahead of ourselves, Ohio State is already keeping an eye on future targets. Yesterday, the latest running back offer was dished out in the 2026 class to Georgia native Jonaz Walton.
A 5-foot-9, 200-pound athlete, Walton is a smaller back, but runs much larger than his stature. The No. 83 player nationally and eighth-best running back in the class per the 247Sports Composite grades, it’s easy to see why Ohio State is interested.
Programs such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, USC, Tennessee, Texas, and several others have thrown their name into the mix and while the Buckeyes are a little late to the party, surely they can make up for lost time as they the energy in this position group to spark an interest. More names will likely come up as Locklyn continues to get further into his new role, but here’s the latest worth paying attention to.
Getting closer and closer to sealing the deal
In-state running back Bo Jackson has been a theme as of late and Thursday was no different. The No. 72 player nationally and fifth best player at his position per the 247Sports Composite grades, it’s as clear as ever that Jackson is one of the two running backs that the Ohio State coaching staff is completely sold on and now it’s just a matter of sealing the deal and making him a part of this class.
On Thursday, Jackson announced that he is down to just three schools. Narrowing it to just Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State, the Buckeyes have a great chance here, but know that they still have plenty of work to be done before they earn his commitment.
Set to visit Georgia on May 17, Jackson will spend his second trip at Ohio State from May 31-June 2, and Alabama from June 7-9. No, the Buckeyes don’t have the luxury of having the last scheduled visit, but being just a short trek from Cleveland, Bo can see the Buckeyes any time he wants and very well could make a return trip if needed.
As of now, Jackson and Locklyn are talking every other day according to Jackson and that should only continue, if it doesn’t soon turn into an everyday occurrence. Again, Ohio State isn’t out of the woods as the two other schools certainly aren’t just there for show, but you have to feel like the Buckeyes are going to be able to keep him home if they continue doing all the right things and make sure that he knows that he is a priority in this class.
Quick Hits:
Yesterday, Ohio State added Findlay, Ohio product Nate Riegel to their 2024 class as a preferred walk-on. A 6-foot-3, 210-pound athlete, Riegel projects as a linebacker at the next level and is a player that the Buckeyes are glad to have as a depth piece coming in. An unranked player in the 2024 cycle, Riegel clearly had interest from the Buckeyes and took his shot betting on himself.
A teammate of current Buckeye Luke Montgomery, odds are Riegel is cut from the same cloth and will be a player who works his tail off as he tries to show his worth once on campus.