Finally back at home this weekend, Ohio State hosting UCLA gives the Buckeyes their next chance at staying unbeaten and moving one step closer to the ultimate goal. Ohio State has the opportunity to use
the night game to their advantage in recruiting, and that they will do. A guest list that has grown the last several days, the momentum surrounding the 2026 class for the Buckeyes is at an all time high.
Looking ahead to Saturday night, the coaching staff will try to keep the energy not just in 2026, but in 2027 as well. It’s been a fun time to follow Ohio State’s recruiting, and thanks to their steady efforts the ride is far from over.
Buckeyes go after four-star 2027 DB
Recruiting isn’t easy, but some coaches make it seem that way, and cornerback’s coach Tim Walton has that aura about him. Flipping multiple targets in the current 2026 cycle to Ohio State, the Buckeyes not only have his recruiting chops as a benefit, but his development as well.
Looking at the roster and his position group specifically, his guys are playing at a very high level each year, and it’s having recruits taking notice. Wanting to play for a coach and program that has it all, the Buckeyes fit that mold, and on Wednesday they extended an offer to a new name they believe they can do the same with.
Making their presence known in Oklahoma, 2027 cornerback prospect Gabriel Osborne Jr. is the latest to earn an Ohio State offer. A long and lengthy defensive back at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Gabriel is the No. 162 player nationally and 16th best cornerback per the 247Sports Composite. Nearly 20 offers to his name, the four-star ranking is fitting and the Buckeyes didn’t need any further reasoning to get in the mix.
Schools such as LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas, and several others were earlier to the party, but Ohio State now involved should give him plenty to consider. Not a state the Buckeyes recruit a ton compared to others, they still have Nate Roberts on the current roster and guys such as Josh Proctor to use as examples, and that should help them as they pitch why leaving home for Columbus is the right call.
As always, getting newly offered players to campus is the next on the list of priorities, and that will be the case here with Osborne Jr. too. Other names likely to pop at his position, this is the latest name worth noting for the 2027 cycle and Walton’s big board.
Guest list growing for UCLA night game
As mentioned, the Buckeyes are using their prime-time game against the Bruins this weekend as another chance to host several top players. A staff that is grinding on the recruiting front daily, high profile players are making their way to Columbus this weekend and that bodes well for a program that has seen a ton of positives when it comes to their 2026 and 2027 class as of late.
Starting with the next flip target the Buckeyes would love to add, Ohio State will welcome current Florida commit CJ Bronaugh this weekend in a major development. The No. 120 player nationally and the 14th best cornerback in the 2026 cycle per the 247Sports Composite, getting him to campus this Saturday really increases the chances of making his potential flip a possibility.
Seen already this cycle with Khmari Bing and Jay Timmons, Ohio State is perfecting their craft it seems when it comes to flipping players, and the goal is three true cornerbacks in the class with Bronaugh being a take 100 percent if he wants in. Expect the staff to be all over this one this weekend, and rightfully so as they go for a third major flip.
In addition, the offensive side of the ball will also welcome some major targets this weekend. Looking ahead to the 2027 class, Illinois tight-end native Brock Williams will be on site and position coach Keenan Bailey will make his time worth the trip.
The No. 49 player nationally and second best tight-end in the class per the 247Sports Composite, this visit is a big one, and proof to how interested Brock is in Ohio State and all they have to offer.
Getting further into the future, the 2028 class will also have a member on campus this weekend when Indiana native Drake Coellner makes the short trip to Ohio State. Just a high school sophomore, Coellner has six offers to his name early on with the likes of Texas A&M and Vanderbilt being two of the biggest. Duke and Purdue also on the list, the 6-foot, 190 pound safety is seeing his recruitment really start to pick up.
A trip scheduled to Ohio State for the weekend shows he is being as active as possible and while the 2026 and 2027 classes of course take priority being the more current state of affairs, this staff has no issue with getting ahead of the game and trying to form lasting relationships. They’ll look to do that this weekend as Drake looks to be one player that will highly regarded when the rankings are updated for the 2028 cycle.
