Ohio State Makes Early Moves, Offering 2027 Five-Star WR Monshun Sales While 2026 QB Prospect Luke Fahey Gains Attention
In the constantly evolving landscape of college football recruiting, timing, relationships, and reputation matter more than ever. Programs that wait too long to extend offers risk falling behind, especially when it comes to elite talent. Ohio State, a perennial powerhouse with a storied history of developing NFL-caliber receivers and quarterbacks, knows this all too well. That’s why the Buckeyes are making headlines again for their early efforts in securing the attention of two high-profile prospects: 2027 five-star wide receiver Monshun Sales of Indiana and 2026 quarterback Luke Fahey.
Ohio State has extended a scholarship offer to Monshun Sales, a name that may soon become as familiar in recruiting circles as past Buckeye greats like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr. Sales is currently only a rising sophomore, but his ability has already earned him elite status in the 2027 class. Standing out in the Hoosier state for his explosive athleticism, precise route running, and exceptional hands, Sales is projected by multiple national analysts to be among the very best players in the country by the time he enters his senior year. The Buckeyes’ early offer is not just about recognizing talent—it’s about staking a claim early in what’s expected to be an intense national recruiting battle.
Sales’ offer from Ohio State continues a trend that has been building since Brian Hartline became wide receivers coach. Hartline, a former Buckeye receiver himself and now one of the most respected recruiters in the nation, has an uncanny ability to identify elite receiver talent before it becomes obvious to the rest of the country. His track record with first-round NFL Draft picks and consistent production on the field has built immense trust among prospects and their families. By offering Sales early, Hartline and the Ohio State staff are once again demonstrating their belief in identifying high-end potential and cultivating long-term relationships.
Sales’ rise hasn’t come out of nowhere. Even as a freshman, he showed signs of being special. Coaches and scouts alike have marveled at his ability to separate from defenders, adjust to deep throws, and turn short catches into long gains. His footwork is advanced for his age, and his physical maturity allows him to dominate older competition. Though he still has three full years of high school football remaining, the attention he’s garnered from programs like Ohio State is already positioning him for stardom.
While Sales represents the future at wide receiver, the Buckeyes are also turning their attention to the most important position on the field: quarterback. Luke Fahey, a 2026 prospect, is quickly emerging as one of the most talked-about names among the next wave of signal callers. According to multiple recruiting insiders and reports, Fahey has reportedly caught the eye of the Buckeyes, and while an official offer has yet to be confirmed by Ohio State, the mutual interest is growing stronger with each passing evaluation.
Fahey is everything Ohio State typically looks for in a quarterback: he’s accurate, athletic, and composed under pressure. He has an innate sense of timing and delivers the ball with both velocity and touch. In a world where quarterbacks are expected to do more than simply manage the game, Fahey shines with his dual-threat capability. His film shows a quarterback capable of creating plays with his legs when protection breaks down while also possessing the arm strength to hit deep routes on the move. That versatility fits perfectly into the mold of Ohio State’s recent quarterback lineage, which includes C.J. Stroud, Justin Fields, and Kyle McCord.
More importantly, Fahey appears to be a student of the game. Those close to his high school program describe him as someone who lives in the film room, obsessed with getting better and understanding defenses. That work ethic stands out in an era when physical tools often overshadow mental preparation. It’s this balance of talent and mindset that makes him such an intriguing option for Ryan Day and quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis.
Recruiting quarterbacks is always tricky. Programs can only take one, maybe two per class, and making an offer too early—or too late—can significantly alter the trajectory of a recruiting cycle. Ohio State’s staff appears to be treading carefully but intentionally with Fahey. Though no official offer has been publicly confirmed, there’s a growing belief that Fahey is firmly on the Buckeyes’ radar and could be a priority if their evaluations continue to trend positively.
There’s also the strategic aspect of Ohio State’s pursuit of both Sales and Fahey. By identifying and engaging with elite players early in the process, the Buckeyes can lay the groundwork for potential class cohesion. Sales, with his elite playmaking ability, would be a dream target for any top-tier quarterback. Meanwhile, Fahey, should he eventually receive an offer and commit to Ohio State, could immediately begin building relationships with players like Sales, forming the type of early bond that translates to on-field chemistry down the road.
This approach is not accidental. Ohio State has long believed in building recruiting classes around quarterbacks and receivers. It’s a pairing that can define an era, as fans saw with Dwayne Haskins and Parris Campbell, or more recently, C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The pursuit of Sales and Fahey could be another example of this strategy in motion—finding the cornerstone quarterback and matching him with elite weapons early.
The recruiting world, of course, is volatile. Offers come and go, relationships shift, and new contenders emerge constantly. Programs like Michigan, Georgia, Alabama, USC, and Notre Dame are unlikely to sit on the sidelines when it comes to players like Monshun Sales or Luke Fahey. For Ohio State, maintaining momentum in these recruitments will require consistent engagement, development pitches, and leveraging their impressive recent track record in getting players to the NFL.
It also helps that Ohio State has one of the best recruiting infrastructures in the country. With Director of Player Personnel Mark Pantoni leading an elite scouting and recruiting department, and Day, Hartline, and Dennis all having reputations as developers and relationship builders, the Buckeyes have every reason to be confident in their ability to attract top-tier talent. Sales and Fahey represent not just talent but symbols of what Ohio State wants to build in the future: an offense powered by elite playmakers at every level.
Additionally, there’s something to be said for the momentum that can be created when a young prospect commits early. Should Sales—or even Fahey—choose Ohio State in the next year or two, it could trigger a domino effect within their respective classes. Top prospects are often drawn to programs with clear vision and stability, and early commitments can help solidify a recruiting class before the usual summer rush.
The Buckeyes also benefit from their national brand. Ohio State is as recognizable in Indiana, where Sales plays, as it is in Texas or California. Its reputation for winning championships, putting players in the NFL, and developing talent is second to none. That national reach allows it to go into any state and be a serious contender for elite talent, even in areas where local schools may seem to have an edge.
For now, both Monshun Sales and Luke Fahey are still very early in their recruiting journeys. Sales has years left to play high school football, and Fahey still has time before official visits and final decision-making become a reality. But in extending an offer to one and reportedly building interest in the other, Ohio State has shown its hand: the Buckeyes are not waiting around for the rest of the country to catch up. They’re identifying future stars, initiating early contact, and positioning themselves to compete for the best of the best.
Time will tell how these recruitments evolve. But one thing is clear—when it comes to maintaining dominance on the offensive side of the ball, Ohio State is playing the long game. The early attention to Monshun Sales and Luke Fahey is just the latest example of a program that refuses to stand still in the relentless race for elite talent.
