It’s been an interesting recruiting cycle for Ohio State at the running back position, and with the 2027 class still without a commitment at the spot, the Buckeyes are continuing to work toward changing that. Carlos Locklyn and the staff have certainly put in the effort, but the results haven’t gone their way to this point. After seeing top target David Gabriel-Georges choose Tennessee, Ohio State was dealt another tough blow last week when in-state prospect Jordan Hall committed to Penn State.
With
two of their top options now off the board, it’s fair to wonder where Ohio State turns next. The transfer portal remains an option, and many have assumed that’s the direction the Buckeyes will ultimately take. However, the coaching staff isn’t ready to throw in the towel on the high school recruiting trail just yet, and Thursday brought some encouraging news regarding a familiar name.
Per Rivals, Gainesville, Georgia running back Nigel Newkirk has officially scheduled a visit to Columbus for Nov. 7, when Ohio State hosts Oregon. The Alabama commit has been on the Buckeyes’ radar for quite some time, and while his pledge to the Crimson Tide back in May appeared to put an end to Ohio State’s pursuit, Locklyn and the staff have continued to maintain contact.
Clearly, that persistence is beginning to pay off.
Getting Newkirk back on campus is a significant development for Ohio State, especially considering where things currently stand at the position. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound back is the No. 226 player nationally and the No. 16 running back in the 2027 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and would be a major addition to a class that could certainly use some good news at running back.
Of course, getting a committed prospect to visit and actually convincing him to flip are two very different things. Alabama won’t be eager to let Newkirk go, and Ohio State will still have plenty of work to do if it hopes to change his mind. Still, the opportunity to get him on campus for a marquee Big Ten matchup is about as good of a setting as the staff could ask for.
The Buckeyes have had their share of frustrations recruiting running backs in this cycle, but they’re proving that they aren’t done fighting for the talent they want. Locklyn and company now have a legitimate opportunity to make up some ground, and the next step will be making sure Newkirk leaves Columbus with plenty to think about.
Buckeyes to bring 2029 offensive lineman on November visit
Looking a little further down the road, Ohio State will also welcome an intriguing in-state prospect to campus next month. Nehemiah Ramsey, a 2029 offensive lineman from Lima, Ohio, announced that he will visit Columbus for the Buckeyes’ Nov. 14 matchup against Northwestern.
At 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, Ramsey already has an impressive frame for a player so early in his high school career, and his film has begun to show some promise as well. He has yet to receive his first scholarship offer, but these early visits can go a long way toward building relationships with coaching staffs and getting a prospect’s recruitment off the ground. It will be worth keeping an eye on Ramsey as his development continues.
