Ohio State has a massive weekend ahead, and while the first priority is taking care of business against Oregon on Saturday, the Buckeyes will also have plenty of work to do on the recruiting trail. With more than 40 prospects expected to be on campus, including several of their top targets in the 2028 class, the coaching staff has a prime opportunity to make a lasting impression on some of the nation’s best young talent.
Of course, a win on the field would go a long way in helping the Buckeyes make
their case, but the staff will also be focused on making sure these priority targets leave Columbus feeling good about where things stand with Ohio State.
With even more names being added to the visitor list on Thursday, here’s a closer look at some of the top prospects expected to headline what should be a major recruiting weekend for the Buckeyes.
Five-star safety keeps Ohio State in the mix ahead of visit
The defensive back position will be well represented in Columbus this weekend, and one of the biggest names expected on campus is 2028 five-star safety Casey Barner. A Georgia native, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound standout is currently the No. 2 player nationally and the top-ranked safety in his class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
With more than 50 offers to his name, Barner has no shortage of options when it comes to his college future. Programs such as Georgia, Miami, and Texas A&M remain heavily involved in his recruitment, but Ohio State continues to put itself in a strong position with the elite defensive back. His return to Columbus for the Oregon game is another positive development for the Buckeyes, who have made Barner one of their top priorities in the class.
One thing Ohio State certainly has working in its favor is its recent success developing players at the safety position. With comparisons being made between Barner and former Buckeye standout Caleb Downs, the coaching staff has a pretty compelling example of what an elite defensive back can accomplish in Columbus. It’s a recruiting pitch that should resonate with a player of Barner’s caliber, and one Ohio State will undoubtedly look to emphasize throughout the weekend.
There is still plenty of time remaining in his recruitment, and the competition for his commitment isn’t going anywhere. However, getting a player of Barner’s caliber back on campus for another major game is exactly what the staff wants to see. The Buckeyes have his attention, and now they’ll look to make the most of another opportunity to strengthen that relationship.
Brandon Murphy plans not one, but two Ohio State visits for November
When it comes to recruiting, there’s a reason why the phrase “follow the visits” gets thrown around so often. For Ohio State, that’s certainly worth remembering in the recruitment of 2028 four-star athlete Brandon Murphy, who is planning not one, but two trips to Columbus during November.
A Pennsylvania native, Murphy checks in at 6 feet, 195 pounds and is currently the No. 150 player nationally and ninth-ranked athlete in the 2028 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Projected as a safety at the next level, Murphy has more than 20 offers to his name, with Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, Miami, Penn State, and several others among the programs hoping to land his commitment.
This weekend’s visit is certainly important, but the fact that Murphy is already planning another trip later this month is what should really excite the Buckeyes. Getting a highly coveted prospect on campus once is a positive sign, but having him make multiple visits in such a short period suggests that Ohio State is doing plenty of things right in this recruitment.
The Buckeyes are working to put together another strong class in 2028, and Murphy is one of the defensive backs they’ve made a priority. There’s still a long way to go before he makes his college decision, but the staff has to feel good about where things stand at the moment.
As always, visits don’t guarantee anything in recruiting, but they certainly matter. And with Murphy making Columbus a regular destination, Ohio State has to like its chances of continuing to build momentum with the talented Pennsylvania product.
Quick hits
Moving over to the offensive side of the ball, Ohio State will also welcome 2028 wide receiver Malachi Lee (Leesburg, Virginia/Loudoun Sports Academy) to campus this weekend. The No. 88 player nationally and 10th-ranked receiver according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Lee has already collected more than 30 offers and is another highly regarded prospect the Buckeyes are working to bring into the fold.
Ohio State has made recruiting elite receivers a consistent priority, and getting Lee on campus for a game of this magnitude is another important opportunity to make an impression.
The defensive back theme continues with 2028 cornerback Domonic Williams Jr. (Jacksonville, North Carolina/Jacksonville), who is also expected to be in Columbus for the Oregon matchup. At 6 feet, 185 pounds, Williams is currently the No. 125 player nationally and 10th-ranked cornerback according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
With so many talented defensive backs expected on campus this weekend, Williams is another name worth keeping an eye on as Ohio State looks to build relationships with some of the best secondary prospects in the country.
