It took a little longer than originally planned, but Ohio State finally has its running back in the 2027 recruiting class. After months of searching and seeing some of their top targets go elsewhere, Carlos Locklyn and the Buckeyes got the news they had been waiting for on Wednesday evening when Daylon Gordon announced he was flipping his commitment from Texas State to Ohio State.
A bit of a surprise considering Gordon had been committed to the Bobcats since June, the latest addition is another example
of how quickly things can change on the recruiting trail. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Texas native is a four-star prospect according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, checking in as the No. 347 player nationally and No. 22 running back in the 2027 class.
While Gordon may not have been the most recognizable name on Ohio State’s original recruiting board, he certainly has the talent to make an impact. Holding offers from programs including Baylor, Florida State, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, and Utah, Gordon has plenty of Power Four interest to his name. The Buckeyes got involved later in the process, but following an official visit for last weekend’s Oregon game, it didn’t take long for the talented back to decide Columbus was where he wanted to be.
For Locklyn, this is a welcome development after a frustrating stretch trying to fill the position. Ohio State put considerable effort into landing other targets earlier in the cycle, but with those plans falling through, the staff had to adjust its approach. Fortunately, Gordon emerged as an option, and the Buckeyes were able to make their move when the opportunity presented itself.
On the field, there’s plenty to like about the newest Buckeye. Gordon is an explosive playmaker who can hurt defenses both on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield. His production at Wylie High School speaks for itself, and his versatility gives Ohio State another interesting weapon to develop in the coming years.
The addition doesn’t necessarily mean Locklyn is finished recruiting the position, as the Buckeyes could still look to add another back before the class is finalized. Regardless, getting Gordon into the fold is a significant step forward for a group that had been missing a running back commitment.
With Gordon now on board, Ohio State’s 2027 class sits at 21 commitments, and the Buckeyes will look to finish strong with a few more additions before signing day.
5-star 2028 safety remains high on Ohio State despite Oregon loss
There’s no way to sugarcoat what Ohio State has gone through over the last two weeks. Back-to-back losses to USC and Oregon have the Buckeyes looking for answers, and with plenty of frustration surrounding the program, it’s understandable that fans are concerned about how the struggles on the field could impact recruiting.
Fortunately, while the results haven’t been what anyone in Columbus hoped for, the recruiting efforts haven’t slowed down. Ohio State hosted an impressive collection of prospects for last weekend’s matchup against Oregon, and despite the disappointing outcome, several of those top targets remain very interested in what the Buckeyes have to offer.
One of the biggest names on campus was five-star safety Casey Barner, and his reaction following the visit should be encouraging news for Ohio State fans.
A native of Georgia, Barner is one of the premier prospects in the entire 2028 class. Checking in as the No. 2 player nationally and top-ranked safety according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Barner has drawn comparisons to former Buckeye standout Caleb Downs thanks to his ability to make plays all over the field.
With offers from virtually every major program in the country, Barner has no shortage of options. However, Ohio State continues to make a strong impression, and following Saturday’s loss to Oregon, the talented defensive back made it clear that one disappointing result wasn’t going to change how he viewed the program.
Speaking with Rivals after the visit, Barner explained that his interest in Ohio State goes well beyond the outcome of a single game. The relationships he’s developed with the coaching staff, the program’s player development, and his potential fit in the defense all remain important factors in his recruitment.
That’s exactly the kind of response Ohio State hopes to hear from an elite prospect, especially considering how much competition the Buckeyes will face for his commitment.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go with the 2028 class, and programs such as Georgia and Miami aren’t going to make this an easy recruiting battle. Still, Ohio State has done an excellent job putting itself in position with Barner, and getting him back on campus for another visit only strengthens those relationships.
The Buckeyes certainly would have preferred to give Barner and the rest of their visitors a better showing on Saturday, but the fact that one loss hasn’t changed his outlook is a positive development. Now it’s up to the coaching staff to keep that momentum going and continue making Columbus a place where one of the nation’s best defensive backs can see himself playing at the next level.
