Ohio State hits the short list for another top 2025 RB, and will host two more in-state DBs

Ohio State is currently in a strong position with their 2025 running back recruiting class.

While they have yet to get a commitment at the position, players like Jordon Davison, Marquise Davis, and even Bo Jackson have the Buckeyes in the mix for their respective recruitments. Davison may be the national target, but the in-state talent in this cycle is among the best in the country, and Tony Alford should be able to make a good haul with the current class.

Though the three names listed above are enough to be excited about, the Buckeyes are also attracting other top running backs in the class, and another big-time talent at the position expressed interest in Ohio State on Thursday.

Akylin Dear, a Mississippi native, took to Twitter to offer the newest update on his recruiting, narrowing it down to 12 schools he is still considering before making a final decision. Dear is the No. 68 player nationwide and the fourth-ranked running back in the class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Dear appears to be interested in coming closer to making the call, having received over 20 offers and narrowing it down to roughly half of the programs that have offered.

Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, and Ohio State all made the cut. For the time being, the first three names appear to be more plausible possibilities for the 2025 class at Ohio State, but Dear is The staff will definitely stay in contact with this individual until they have firm commitments.

A couple of Ohio products from 2026 have scheduled dates to see the Buckeyes.
Tim Walton’s presence on the Buckeye staff has allowed the 2025 defensive secondary class to get off to the best possible start. Regardless of position, Walton is among the greatest recruiters in the country and is bringing in the best talent at a quick pace. The Buckeyes aren’t done in 2025 because they still need to recruit commits themselves, but their early success gives the staff a good head start in 2026. There are just a few commits remaining to try to get.

Victor Singleton of Toledo Central Catholic is one of the Ohio natives who announced yesterday his plans to meet multiple recruiting targets while attending spring football practice. Currently unranked according to his 247Sports profile, Singleton is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound cornerback who has received nearly ten offers, with Cincinnati, Kentucky, and Pitt being the biggest to date.

On April 3, the Buckeyes will travel to the south for a game against a name that is beginning to gain some traction. Victor is doing his best to get in front of the coaching staffs by traveling to Cincinnati, Indiana, and Toldeo in the upcoming weeks. Being a native of the area, the Buckeyes are likely familiar with this name as Central Catholic produces D1 potential consistently.

Fellow Ohio 2026 recruit Kaden Gebhardt will also be traveling the short distance to see the Buckeyes in the upcoming weeks; he intends to be on campus to observe practice on March 5. This adds another name to the guest list.

The Olentangy graduate, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound safety, is another defensive back with double-digit offers to his name but is not currently listed on his 247Sports page. Early adopters include universities from West Virginia, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana, Cincinnati, and West Virginia.

Although he may not receive an offer from Ohio State, his proximity to campus makes it easy for him to meet with the coaches, which increases the likelihood that Ohio State will Keep a close eye on his output and the previous two prep ball seasons. In any case, he will have the opportunity to observe how the Buckeyes are managing their secondary, particularly at the safety position, as he will be in Columbus the next week.