It’s clearly ‘hit the road’ season for Ohio State’s coaching staff, as the past couple of days has seen numerous examples of the Buckeyes paying visits to top recruits all over the country.
Wednesday being no different, Ohio State is putting in the miles to make sure they’re atop of the mindsets for their top priority recruits, and so far so good. The goal now is to make those trips turn into commitments before all is said and done.
Hankton pays a visit to Alabama WR prospect
Cortez Hankton is still getting his feet wet as the Ohio State wide
receivers coach. A room with an embarrassment of riches, the 2026 season is sure to provide some elite production thanks to the guys who were already on the roster, but many will give the nod to Hartline for what he left behind.
Still, Cortez is now steering the ship. In his first season of recruiting for the Buckeyes, he is wasting no time at trying to prove he was the right man for the job.
Making his rounds on Wednesday, Hankton made the trek to Alabama to check in on Prattville product, Deshawn Hall. A 6-foot-5, 185 pound athlete, Hall is the No. 201 player nationally and the 25th best receiver in the 2027 class per the 247Sports Composite.
With 30 offers to his name, Ohio State has pulled the trigger in extending their own offer, but it’s the nearby SEC schools such as Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee who have been the likely frontrunners for his services.
No small gesture, any time an Ohio State coach is making an in-person visit it means something. Believing they have a real shot to swoop in and become a player in his recruitment, this visit wouldn’t be made unless Hankton thought there was still a fighting chance for the Buckeyes.
In-state product receives visit from Ohio State
A goal in every class, Ohio State will always look to keep their best in-state products at home for their college decision. Looking ahead to the 2028 class, the Buckeyes are putting a ton of effort into Asa Burch and that’s going to be a theme until he signs on the dotted line — hopefully with Ohio State.
A 6-foot-5, 210 pound edge rusher, Asa is the No. 116 player nationally and 14th best edge rusher in the 2028 class per the 247Sports Composite. A top-five player in Ohio as well, he is exactly the caliber of player the coaching staff is looking to keep home and do so in a quick manner.
Just a high school sophomore, it’s exciting seeing what he’s already able to do, but by the time he’s a senior, that four-star status is only likely to increase into more. Nearly 20 offers to his name, Ohio State will have a battle on their hands, and Wednesday they sent James Laurinaitis his way as the latest coach to pay him a visit.
One player this staff will continue to check in on, the Buckeyes have the luxury once again of having one of the better players nationally right in their back yard. Getting him back to campus is next, but sending in one of the better recruiting position coaches this program has to offer shows how highly they value his recruitment.
Quick Hits
Cortez Hankton wasn’t the only coach to head south on Wednesday, as safeties coach Matt Guerrieri also made his way to Alabama to check in on another Prattville product by way of safety Jayden Aparicio-Bailey.
A 6-foot-2, 195 pound defensive back, Jayden checks in as the No. 134 player nationally and ninth best safety in the 2027 class per the 247Sports Composite. Prattville has plenty of top tier talent, and Ohio State is taking notice and putting their best efforts forth to be contenders.
