Although Ohio State won’t be able to host recruits this weekend due to being on the road, the primetime matchup will still attract a lot of attention for the Buckeyes. They have an opportunity to make a strong impression, and it would be surprising if this team doesn’t aim to dominate the Spartans right from the start in their conference opener.
Big Ten football is officially underway.
2026 Florida DB sets Ohio State visit
The Buckeyes, along with Tim Walton, are aiming to secure another strong recruiting class for the 2026 cycle. With two top in-state cornerbacks, Elbert Hill and Victor Singleton, Ohio State is determined to replicate the success of the 2024 class by keeping these talented Ohio natives close to home for their college careers.
In addition to focusing on local talent, the Buckeyes will also look beyond state lines to find top prospects to strengthen their defensive secondary. While having Ohio’s homegrown players high on their priority list is a significant advantage, the coaching staff is committed to exploring all avenues to attract top talent and maintain a competitive roster in college football. The 2026 class will follow this strategy, even if they secure both Hill and Singleton.
Among the prospects Ohio State is monitoring, they expect to see one player who has yet to receive an offer when he makes an unofficial visit to Columbus this fall. It wouldn’t be surprising if an offer follows soon after, given his interest in visiting the Midwest.
Florida native Jaelen Waters is currently committed to the Gators but plans to visit several schools this fall to keep his options open. He has trips scheduled to Florida State, LSU, Miami, Oregon, and Ohio State, as he assesses whether his commitment to Florida is the right fit—especially considering potential coaching and program changes if the situation doesn’t improve this season.
Ranked as the No. 192 player nationally and the 17th-best cornerback in the 2026 class by the 247Sports Composite, Waters will visit Ohio State on November 30 during the rivalry game against Michigan. By then, Ohio State may have even more interest in him, particularly if he decides to reconsider his commitment to the Gators.
Regardless, the Buckeyes and Walton are focused on maintaining their successful history of recruiting elite defensive backs in the upcoming class.
The 2026 four-star Florida DB commit is hitting the road a lot this season pic.twitter.com/uoe3dyGZe6
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) September 25, 2024
Quick Hits
The 2025 recruiting class for the Buckeyes has largely been stable, with most players remaining committed. However, there are always a few that raise concerns. Zahir Mathis has emerged as a player to watch, as there have been rumors over the past few months about his interest in schools like Penn State. Despite these whispers, Mathis is still committed to Ohio State and has scheduled his official visit for the weekend of October 25. This visit presents a key opportunity for the coaching staff to reinforce his decision to choose the Buckeyes.
Ohio state official visit 10/25 – 10/27 #GoBucks @cy_woodland @R2X_Rushmen1
— Zahir Mathis (@ZahirMathis5) September 25, 2024
Ranked as the No. 63 player nationally and the sixth-best edge rusher in the class according to the 247Sports Composite, Larry Johnson is keen to keep Mathis in the fold, and this visit could significantly bolster those chances. With signing day approaching, the late October visit will hopefully solidify his commitment to Ohio State and alleviate any concerns about him potentially flipping to another program.
