The 2027 class is getting closer to the finish line, and Ohio State is still looking for a few remaining players to add to their impressive haul. Thursday gave the Buckeyes their latest commitment thanks to linebacker prospect James Conrad.
A 6-foot-3, 225 pound athlete out of Cleveland’s St. Ignatius, Conrad’s recruitment with Ohio State was a quick and easy one for James Laurinaitis as soon as the Buckeyes showed their interest.
Committed to Buffalo since the summer months, Conrad recevied his Ohio
State offer just a week ago and wasted no time getting to campus being on-site for the Maryland game last Saturday. A visit that clearly went well, the Crystal Ball predictions started to come in for him to flip his pledge and stay close to home for his college career.
Now the 20th member of Ohio State’s sixth-ranked class nationally, Conrad brings a variety of skills to the defense and has plenty of upside to his game. The No. 992 player nationally and the 84th best linebacker per the 247Sports Composite, Conrad may be a bit under the radar with his ranking, but he got the stamp of approval from this staff and a senior campaign that shows the caliber of player he is.
Ohio State continues pursuit of a top RB target in 2028 class
With five commitments in Ohio State’s 2028 class, the Buckeyes sit atop of the national rankings with a ton to be happy about. Top players at multiple spots locked in and several targets keeping the Buckeyes heavily in the mix of their respective recruitments, Ohio State’s coaching staff knows how special of a cycle this could be and will do nothing but keep the pressure on so momentum continues.
Looking specifically at the running back spot, the Buckeyes already have Elijah Newman-Hall in the fold and with the junior season tape he’s showing each week suiting up for IMG Academy, Ohio State has a big time player coming to their backfield thanks to his pledge. Not the picture-perfect scenario in 2027 at this position, Carlos Locklyn has the goal to bring in two backs for 2028, and the second name looks to have surfaced.
Georgia native Kevin Hartsfield the target, Ohio State is reportedly continuing to make a push for the four-star and the next task is getting him to campus. A 6-foot, 210 pound athlete, Hartsfield is the No. 32 player nationally and the top running back per the 247Sports Composite. Offers from nearly 50 programs and of course every top school in the country, it’s easy to see why Ohio State has him high on their list.
Making his rounds this fall already which has included a recent stop to Tennessee and this coming weekend to Miami, the Buckeyes are working to get him to Columbus. One running back already in the fold, Hartsfield will be one name worth watching for the long haul as this staff tries to nail down a second in the class.
