Chicago is a ripe recruiting territory, and lately the defensive line prospects coming from this area are among the best in the country. Multiple cycles seeing top players at the position come from the area, the Buckeyes are taking notice and putting forth the effort to be a consistent brand in their ears.
The same story goes for the 2027 class, as Brother Rice product Brayden Parks is the next in line, and Ohio State is doing what it takes to be a real player for his services.
A 6-foot-3, 305 pound
athlete, Parks is the No. 161 player nationally and the 19th best at his position per the 247Sports Composite. Making his way through the process, on Wednesday Parks released his latest update, which included a list of eight schools he is still considering before making a final call.
Good news for the Buckeyes and Larry Johnson, they were included.
Over 40 offers to his name, Brayden is down to Georgia, Illinois, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Tennessee, and Ohio State as noted. A busy spring ahead for the four-star, Parks has visits set up with several of these top schools, and the Buckeyes will play host to him on April 4.
Another chance to continue impressing one of the better defensive lineman out there, his presence on campus will be celebrated, and though he intends to see Georgia and Oregon shortly after, the staff at Ohio State will do their best to leave him with plenty to consider.
With spring practice coming soon for Ohio State, it’s the first chance at getting a feel for the 2026 Buckeyes and the potential this team has. What will be used as development opportunities for the current roster, the coaching staff has plenty of off the field duties during this time as well.
Recruiting being a focal point, it’s already been seen how many top players will be on campus in the coming weeks, and new names are being added to the guest list daily. A sign of how well this program is doing on the recruiting trail, this sort of news isn’t slowing down any time soon.
New visit plans shared yesterday in Ohio State’s favor, the Buckeyes will play host to 2027 defensive back target, Jayden Aparicio-Bailey on March 11. Nearly 10 visits for the Alabama native already scheduled for the spring, getting him on campus early on will hopefully set the bar high for Ohio State forcing the other schools to follow suit.
The No. 231 player nationally, Jayden is the 23rd best safety in the class per the 247Sports Composite grades and has an offer list that includes nearly 30 schools. Holding an offer from Ohio State, his visit to Columbus shows there is definitely some mutual interest here and with how well the Buckeyes have done pulling players out of Alabama as of late, you have to think they’re ready and confident they can win here too.
Plenty of time to go, Jayden’s visit is one worth watching as he weighs his options this spring taking trips to several programs he is considering. The good news, the Buckeyes are in his top 10 schools list, which he shared just two weeks ago.
Quick Hits
A current Texas Tech commit, Ohio State will play host to four-star receiver target Benny Easter Jr. on May 29. An official visit that has been scheduled, Easter Jr. looks to be keeping at least some of his options open as he takes visits to multiple schools though he’s pledged elsewhere.
The No. 99 player overall and 17th best receiver in the 2027 class per the 247Sports Composite, Easter Jr. being on campus is just another in the long list of high-profile athletes the Buckeyes are planning to see.
One more visitor worth sharing, yesterday headlines were made regarding 2028 defensive target, Kellan Hall who like several others will have a busy spring ahead of him. A five-star talent and the No. 8 player overall in the 247Sports Composite for the 2028 cycle, Hall is checking in to see Ohio State on April 4.
An unofficial visit, the Buckeyes join the likes of several others he’s slated to see this spring, but getting this talented athlete on campus gives them a shot to really impress.
