Another day, another positive development on the recruiting trail for Ohio State. On Thursday, the Buckeyes found themselves featured on the short lists of not one, but two top prospects. That’s exactly
where Ryan Day and his staff want to be — consistently in the mix for elite talent. With recruiting momentum seemingly peaking this cycle, Ohio State continues to put itself in prime position for several high-priority targets, and more could soon be trending in their direction as the staff keeps the pressure on.
Five-star receiver target keeps Ohio State in the fold after narrowing his options
It’s becoming routine at this point — another year, another stretch of elite development and production from Brian Hartline’s wide receiver room. Widely regarded as the nation’s top position coach, Hartline continues to set the standard both on the field and on the trail. His track record speaks for itself, and because of it, Ohio State’s success at wideout is as strong as ever. The Buckeyes keep reaping the rewards of his relentless work, as top receivers across the country continue to keep Columbus near the top of their lists. More often than not, it feels like Hartline gets to hand-pick the talent he wants.
When it comes to the 2027 class, few names have stood higher on Ohio State’s board than Indiana native Monshun Sales. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound standout is ranked as the No. 12 player nationally and the No. 3 wide receiver in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. With close to 40 offers already, it’s no surprise he’s one of the most coveted prospects in the cycle.
Sales recently trimmed his list to 12 schools, and as expected, Ohio State made the cut. Joining the Buckeyes are Alabama, Indiana, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. The Buckeyes’ long-standing relationship with Sales is a major advantage, and that consistency could prove crucial as his recruitment moves forward. There’s still plenty of time before a decision is made, but it’s clear Sales knows what Ohio State has to offer — and when it comes to receiver development, no program can match what Hartline and this staff bring to the table.
No announcement date is on the horizon just yet, but expect Ohio State to remain a major factor until the very end. With Sales residing just a short trip away, the Buckeyes will no doubt look to get him back on campus as often as possible.
2027 running back target has the Buckeyes in his final five
Staying on the offensive side of the ball, another 2027 standout narrowed things down on Thursday — and once again, Ohio State made the cut. This time, it’s Tranard Roberts, a talented running back from The Villages Charter in Florida, who trimmed his list to five schools. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound playmaker, who already holds close to 20 offers, will now focus on Ohio State, Auburn, Miami, Michigan, and Tennessee moving forward.
Rated as the No. 208 player overall and the No. 16 running back in the 2027 class per the 247Sports Composite, Roberts has been on the Buckeyes’ radar for quite some time. His combination of burst, balance, and versatility out of the backfield has drawn plenty of attention — and for good reason.
Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn continues to work diligently on both the 2026 and 2027 cycles. With an eye toward adding more depth to his room, Locklyn’s approach has been clear: keep the talent pipeline flowing. Coming off back-to-back seasons producing NFL-caliber backs and maintaining one of the nation’s most balanced offenses, Ohio State’s ability to showcase multiple running backs each week is an easy sell to recruits looking for early playing time.
While plenty of names will surface at the position over the next several months, Roberts is one worth monitoring closely. His skill set fits what the Buckeyes look for, and with continued interest on both sides, expect Ohio State to stay firmly in the mix as his recruitment continues to unfold.
