With the news on Wednesday of Brian Hartline heading south for the USF job, Ohio State saw impact to their 2026 recruiting class, and mainly at his receiver position.
Rightfully so, the Buckeyes have had
the best position coach in the country thanks to Hartline, so kids looking at all of their options makes some sense. Chris Henry Jr. leading the the way on the headlines, Ohio State’s staff and players are doing all they can to keep him in the fold, but regardless of what happens in that situation, the Buckeyes received some great news elsewhere at the position.
The second receiver in the class to not sign on Wednesday, Indiana native Jerquaden Guilford held off making it official, but gave the Buckeyes the good news officially signing on Thursday and bringing a sigh of relief to a staff working hard.
A major win for the program that now has three of their four receivers signed, Ohio State has the No. 137 player nationally and 22nd best receiver per the 247Sports Composite locked in and ready to make his impact in Columbus.
While it’s not completely related, seeing Guilford keep his trust in the Ohio State program and not just a position coach, that says a lot about his character and the brand the Buckeyes have. In addition, you have to think Henry Jr. notices that and maybe it impacts his decision as well.
The fight is still very much active, but Ohio State winning out for Guilford is a big time step in the right direction when you lose a position coach of Hartline’s caliber.
Buckeyes make the cut for 2027 DL target
Much of the news the past 48 hours has been regarding signing day, but Ohio State once again made the cut on a short list of schools for a top 2027 defensive line target. Sharing the latest update in his recruitment, Maryland native Joseph Buchanan announced he is down to just six schools he is still considering.
An offer list of 20-plus programs, getting down to a handful of schools is no small step towards a final decision and the Buckeyes are happy to still be included. A 6-foot-4, 255 pound athlete, Buchanan is the No. 178 player nationally and the 21st best defensive lineman per the 247Sports Composite.
The length to play on the outside, there’s still another full year for him to continue developing and the offer list shows the caliber of player many top schools in the country believe he is and can be at the next level. Additionally, being a DMV resident, this is a territory Larry Johnson has thrived in so the background to this recruitment bodes well.
Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and USC rounding out the others to still be in consideration, the Buckeyes will have a battle with several familiar programs. From here, Ohio State always looks to get players on campus and that’s the next goal.
Once again though, the Buckeyes are in on a top payer and that’s all you want to see this program continuing to do.
Quick Hits
There seems to be some real merit to what Legend Bey is going through in regard to his recruitment. Without throwing shade at the family, it does look as if Bey wants to be at Ohio State and his direct relatives are opposed.
Whether it be via his social media or in these various stories shedding light on the situation, the assumption now is that Bey is days away from turning 18, and may look to ask for a release from his letter of intent with Tennessee, which then could have him ending right back in Ohio State’s 2026 class.
It will be very interesting to see what comes from this recruitment, but while his status is with Tennessee currently, stay tuned for what could come in the next few weeks.
