It may be just spring practice, but it’s good to have Ohio State football back in any realm. Seeing the 2026 team take the field this week for the start of their spring ball routine, it’s clear the Buckeyes will be right atop of the college football landscape in regard to the most talented teams yet again.
With these spring practices now taking place, recruiting is picking up, with many top targets heading to Columbus for visits. The rest of this week will be no different.
Four-star safety enjoying his time at Ohio State
Two safeties in the 2027
class already committed for Ohio State, the Buckeyes are off to a strong start, but looking to add to their defensive secondary with additional top targets.
Using these spring practice sessions as the perfect opportunity to host multiple recruits, Wednesday saw the Buckeyes bring in Florida native defensive back, Zayden Gamble. A product of the prestigious St. Thomas Aquinas program, the Buckeyes have had their fare share of success with the school over the years, but it’s been a bit since their last commit came from the Florida powerhouse.
A 5-foot-11, 195 pound athlete, Gamble is the No. 195 player nationally and the 18th best safety per the 247Sports Composite grades. Nearly 50 offers to his name though, Gamble is one of the top players in the country regardless of his ranking and Ohio State thinks so too.
Schools such as Georgia, Florida, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, and several others are on his list, but being in Columbus looked like time well spent as Zayden took to his social media to share multiple examples of his visit.
The Buckeyes making his top ten schools update in early February, Gamble made it clear that following his recent Florida visit he had the Gators as his leader, but Ohio State will have something to say about that with this latest trip.
Plenty of time for him to still decide, it’s likely the Buckeyes did their job in leaving him impressed. Getting some time with the head coach certainly doesn’t hurt either.
Five-star offensive lineman sets date for Ohio State visit
Another position that is off to a strong start for the Buckeyes and their 2027 campaign, offensive line currently has three committed players to the fold, but Ohio State is far from finished.
Several top uncommitted players keeping the Buckeyes in the mix this cycle, Tyler Bowen has his room in a good place and this spring presents the opportunity to further improve not only his 2027 class, but the future cycles as well. Maybe some of the best news, yesterday saw five-star Maxwell Hiller give word of when he will be in Columbus to see Ohio State this spring.
The No. five player nationally and top-ranked interior offensive lineman per the 247Sports Composite grades, Hiller’s offer list and 6-foot-5, 300 pound frame perfectly coincides with his five-star status. A handful of programs standing out to the Pennsylvania native, it’s Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, and Tennessee who are the frontrunners right now per his top four schools update in early February.
For the Buckeyes, they’ll be able to get him on campus next month as it was shared he will make the trek on April 1.
Visits to Alabama and Florida already planned, it was Ohio State that was waiting to see when they’d have their shot and now they know. The school closest to him in proximity, Maxwell has been to Columbus as recently as January and their next opportunity is just a few short weeks away.
Recent visit for top defensive line leaves a lasting impression for Ohio State
One of the top players in the country, California native and five-star talent Marcus Fakatou is feeling the Ohio State vibes following his recent visit to Columbus.
A 6-foot-6, 275 pound defensive lineman, Fakatou is the No. 35 player nationally and second best at his position per the 247Sports Composite and came away from his time with the Buckeyes liking what he saw.
Making it known that Ohio State “set the bar high”, the Buckeyes have made an impression on one of the premier players in the 2027 cycle and that’s exactly where you want to be if you’re Larry Johnson recruiting his unit. Having DJ Jacobs committed is the cream of the crop, but the defensive line is a position group that is only as successful as it’s depth and that is certainly where Ohio State has their attention set thus far when it comes to recruiting this class.
Like most visits, the Buckeyes impressed and they’ll look to continue that same positive trend the rest of this spring with plenty more top guests set to stop in.
Quick Hits:
Ohio State will host Illinois native Luke Injaychock for an official visit the June 5-7th weekend per Luke’s social media on Wednesday. A 6-foot-5, 285 pound offensive line prospect, Luke is the No. 721 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite.
