There isn’t a campus in the nation buzzing like the one in Columbus. Ryan Day and the Ohio State staff are on a heater in the transfer portal, they’re hot closing out the 2024 recruiting cycle, and they continue to get ahead with top 2025 and 2026 targets as the Big Ten powerhouse looks to be building towards the program’s next National Championship.
On Friday night, 247Sports No. 1 ranked prospect in the transfer portal Caleb Downs made his decision to play his next chapter at Ohio State after a phenomenal freshman campaign this past fall at Alabama where he posted a team-high 107 tackles in helping lead the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship and spot in the College Football Playoff.
Downs chose Ohio State over Georgia. He is the fifth portal player to choose the Buckeyes joining former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins, former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin and former Ohio tight end Will Kacmarek.
“You look at Ohio State, (defensive coordinator) Jim Knowles comes in solidifies the defense and becomes a top five defense,” Downs father Gary told 247Sports. “You see what he implemented, the success and defense backs coach Tim Walton the familiarity there. Ryan Day what he’s done.
“Look at that program, they’re right there.”
They certainly are and Downs is the type of talent that can take the Buckeyes over the top. So can this 2024 recruiting class that ranks No. 3 nationally per the 247Sports Composite. Four-star defensive lineman Dominic Kirks was the latest to join the fold on Saturday, a former Washington commit that’s visited Columbus each of the last two weekends.
“I think championships and coach Larry Johnson,” Kirks recently said of OSU. “You know how legendary he is. How many guys he developed and got into the league. That’s an amazing program as well.”
Ohio State is going to be in contention for 247Sports’ No. 1 ranked recruiting class in 2025, sitting at No. 5 nationally with six early commitments. You look at the average ranking per commit and they’re No. 1 in the land headlined by top-ranked cornerback Devin Sanchez and one of the top signal-callers in the land in home-grown talent Tavien St. Clair.
St. Clair was back on campus on Saturday.
“My experience in Columbus is always amazing every time I’m home,” St. Clair said. “I’m there often but there are still new things that catch my eye every trip. What excites me is just the constant drive to be the best in the country in every coach, player and staff member. They expect excellence and I just can’t wait to get there and fight every day.”
The Bellefontaine (Ohio) High product got a chance to connect with new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
“I really like him and think he’s gonna do great here at Ohio State and he’s a great guy that’s experienced and knows football as good as anyone,” St. Clair said.
As Ohio State builds on this 2025 class, they’re the heavy favorite for 247Sports’ No. 4 offensive tackle Carter Lowe who was in town this weekend. The Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer blue-chipper is closing in on his college decision also considering Georgia and Michigan among others. More from Lowe here.
The 247Sports Composite’s No. 2 safety Trey McNutt, an athlete recruit for Ohio State, returned and the Cleveland (Ohio) Shaker Heights prospect had a great time with Day and company.
Shaker Heights Top247 ATH Trey McNutt at #OhioState today hanging out with Ryan Day and the staff. #Buckeyes will be in the mix for the nation’s No. 1 class in the 2025 cycle. https://t.co/7wXzTEFsMJ pic.twitter.com/mZTD6z0wPB
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 20, 2024
Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods Top247 edge rusher Justin Hill has Ohio State prominently placed among his Top 10. Day, Johnson and the staff loved having him back.
“It was great,” Hill stated. “I had fun and it was a great experience being back at a school that continues to give me home vibes!”
Sources continue to indicate Ohio State is well positioned for Washington (Okla.) High Top247 tight end Nate Roberts. Keenan Bailey is his lead recruiter and Roberts is very comfortable around this program. His experience included a lot of time with the current players.
Elkhart (Ind.) High 2025 edge rusher Mariyon Dye was offered by Johnson and Ohio State and they’ll be a major contender for the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Dye moving forward.
“It’s up there for sure,” Dye said. Other recent offers include Oregon and Oklahoma.
“This was my dream school when I was a kid.”
Iowa, Missouri, Georgia, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee and USC are among the other schools to give Dye a scholarship to consider. Johnson is what really stands out about Ohio State.
“He is one of the greatest d-line coaches in college football history,” Dye said.
There were some good in-state 2026 prospects hanging out as well.
“Overall my family and I had a fantastic time,” 247Sports No. 3 offensive tackle Maxwell Riley said. “It was great getting to reconnect with Coach (Justin) Frye, Coach Day, etc. Also getting to meet some other recruits was another great experience. I think there are plethora of great opportunities at Ohio State, a lot of opportunities for development as a player, person, and student.”
“My experience at in Columbus was amazing,” cornerback Elbert Hill said. “Every time I’m down there they treat me like family the most important thing that catches my eye is how everyone loves each other like family.”
