Every great Ohio State team has been built in the trenches, and Ryan Day’s staff is making it clear that the offensive line will be a recruiting priority in the coming cycles.
After a few seasons where depth and development up front have been questioned, the Buckeyes are determined to reload with size and talent. Tyler Bowen has been spearheading the effort, and early returns show momentum on both the 2025 and 2026 fronts.
The 2025 Headliners
The crown jewel of Ohio State’s 2025 offensive line class is Carter Lowe, the
top-ranked player in Ohio and one of the nation’s most coveted tackles. At 6-foot-5 and nearly 300 pounds, Lowe combines the raw power to dominate at the point of attack with the foot speed to handle athletic edge rushers.
He’s the type of lineman who can anchor an offensive line for years, and Ohio State winning his commitment over heavy SEC interest was a massive victory for Ryan Day and staff.
But Lowe isn’t arriving alone. Jake Cook, another in-state standout, brings a gritty, technically sound skill set that projects well on the interior. Cook isn’t as flashy as Lowe, but his toughness and consistency make him the kind of player who can stabilize the interior.
Jayvon McFadden, a three star prospect out of North Carolina, adds athleticism and versatility. With a quick first step and strong hands, McFadden can play multiple spots up front, giving Ohio State flexibility as they piece together future line combinations.
The Buckeyes also strengthened the unit through the transfer portal with Justin Terry, a former 2024 recruit who is now a redshirt freshman. Terry gives the group a developmental option who already has a year in a college strength program under his belt. His presence adds both depth and competition, which has been an area of concern in recent years.
Together, Lowe, Cook, McFadden, and Terry represent more than just bodies in the room; They’re the foundation of an offensive line group being rebuilt with a clear identity. Toughness, athleticism, and balance.
This influx of talent ensures that Ohio State won’t just be filling holes in the trenches, but building a unit capable of controlling games against the best defenses in college football.
2026 Outlook
Looking ahead, Ohio State has already laid significant groundwork for its 2026 offensive line class with a strong set of early commitments.
The Buckeyes hold pledges from Sam Greer, a physical lineman from Ohio whose size and athleticism make him an ideal future left tackle. They’ve also secured Maxwell Riley, a top-100 national prospect and one of the most technically advanced tackles in the class. Riley’s blend of length and polish has made him one of the premier offensive line recruits in the Midwest, and Ohio State keeping him home was a priority.
Alongside Greer and Riley are two more key additions. Aaron Thomas, a developing lineman with the frame and athletic upside to grow into either guard or tackle, and Tucker Smith, a powerful prospect who also has positional flexibility.
Together, that quartet gives Ohio State an excellent early foundation, with each prospect bringing a different skill set to the table.
But the Buckeyes aren’t finished. The staff continues to pursue some of the nation’s top trench talent, with eyes on names like Da’Ron Parks, a highly regarded lineman out of Maryland, as well as several other national blue-chippers.
The message is clear: Tyler Bowen and Ryan Day are making the offensive line a recruiting priority. After a few classes where depth and development were concerns, Ohio State is stacking talent early, securing versatile prospects, and keeping the door open for more national names.
If the Buckeyes can close on one or two additional top targets, this group could be one of the best offensive line hauls in the country.
Why It Matters
When Ohio State has dominant offensive lines, the results speak for themselves — trips to the College Football Playoff and serious national title contention. The Buckeyes’ championship teams under Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel were built on physical fronts that could control games against the nation’s best defenses.
In recent years, though, the program has seen the consequences of not having that same level of depth or development up front. Misses on top recruiting targets and inconsistent play in marquee matchups, particularly against Michigan and in postseason games, have been stark reminders of how critical the trenches are to championship football.
That’s why the recent recruiting momentum is so significant. By landing blue-chip linemen in back-to-back cycles, Ohio State is beginning to rebuild the foundation of its offense. Protecting the quarterback, whether it’s a first-year starter or a Heisman candidate, is non-negotiable, and a strong offensive line also creates space for the Buckeyes’ talented running back room, which remains one of the deepest in the country.
A dominant front means James Peoples, Bo Jackson and the other backs will have a chance to consistently break games open.
The Bottom Line
Ohio State is putting real energy and resources into rebuilding “the wall” up front. The 2025 class, headlined by Carter Lowe and his fellow linemen, provides toughness and versatility, while the 2026 group already has cornerstone pieces in Maxwell Riley and Sam Greer with more targets on the board.
Together, these groups reflect a clear shift in approach, prioritizing physicality, athleticism, and depth in the trenches.
The payoff won’t come overnight, but the blueprint is clear. If the Buckeyes continue to stack elite offensive line classes, they’ll restore a long-standing tradition of dominance in the trenches. And in college football, where playoff berths and championships are often decided at the line of scrimmage, that could be exactly what Ohio State needs to climb back to the mountaintop.
