Ohio State makes final three for one of its top 2025 offensive targets, and offers two in the 2026 class

| May 3, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Buckeyes were busy again on the trail offering new players in the 2026 class.

There’s a lot to look forward to now that James Laurinaitis is in charge of the linebackers. From his playing experience to his ability to develop and recruit players, this was the perfect fit from the start, and it’s already paying off handsomely. With Tarvos Alford and Eli Lee already committed, the Buckeyes are well-positioned for success in the 2025 class and can now focus on future cycles.

Continuing to work hard, the Buckeyes extended one of their most recent offers to in-state prospect Jakobe Clapper. The Cincinnati native now has around 20 offers to his name. Clapper, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound athlete, already has an incredible frame, but with two more seasons still to play, it’s intriguing to consider what he could become as a finished product.

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Clapper is the No. 225 player in the country and the 17th best player at his position. Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, and numerous other schools are interested in him, and his home-state Buckeyes are now among them. There is a lot of work to be done, of course, and you have to imagine that Laurinaitis will be all over this recruiting given that he is not only an in-state player, but he also appears to match the mold that OSU is seeking for at the position.

2026 running back gets the nod from Ohio State

The running back position is a frequent topic of discussion at Ohio State, and properly so. There is a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the Buckeyes’ new position coach, and the potential success that the 2025 class could have with their top targets points to the Buckeyes having a class of a lifetime.

Without getting ahead of ourselves, Ohio State is already considering future targets. Yesterday, Georgia native Jonaz Walton received the latest running back offer in the 2026 class.

Walton, a 5-foot-9, 200-pound athlete, is a smaller back with a considerably greater running style. According to the 247Sports Composite ratings, he is the No. 83 player nationwide and the eighth-best running back in the class.

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, USC, Tennessee, Texas, and numerous more programs have entered the mix, and while the Buckeyes are a little late, they should be able to make up for lost time given the intensity in this position group to pique attention. More names are sure to emerge as Locklyn settles into his new post, but here are the most notable so yet.

Getting closer and closer to sealing the deal

In-state running back Bo Jackson has been a theme lately, and Thursday was no exception. According to the 247Sports Composite grades, Jackson is the No. 72 player nationally and the fifth best player at his position, and it’s clear as ever that he’s one of the two running backs that the Ohio State coaching staff is completely sold on, so it’s just a matter of sealing the deal and making him a part of this class.

Jackson stated on Thursday that he has narrowed his choices to just three colleges. After narrowing it down to Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State, the Buckeyes have a fantastic shot here, but they know they still have a lot of work to do before earning his commitment.

Jackson is scheduled to visit Georgia on May 17, followed by trips to Ohio State from May 31 to June 2 and Alabama from June 7-9. No, the Buckeyes do not have the benefit of having the final scheduled visit, but because they are only a short drive from Cleveland, Bo can see the Buckeyes whenever he wants and could easily return if necessary.

According to Jackson, Jackson and Locklyn are currently conversing every other day, and this should continue as long as it does not become an everyday event. Again, Ohio State isn’t out of the woods, and the two other schools aren’t just there for show, but you have to believe the Buckeyes will be able to keep him home if they keep doing the right things and making sure he understands that he is a priority in this class.

Quick Hits:

Nate Riegel, a Findlay, Ohio native, was added yesterday as a preferred walk-on to Ohio State’s 2024 class. Riegel, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound athlete, projects as a linebacker at the next level and is a valuable addition to the Buckeyes’ depth chart. Riegel, an unranked player in the 2024 cycle, definitely drew interest from the Buckeyes and took a chance on himself.

As a teammate of current Buckeye Luke Montgomery, Riegel is likely to be a player who works tirelessly to prove his worth once on campus.

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